Feeding when Babies refuse to eat/eating patterns

[Lakshika]

ok!!

so this has been on my mind since I got my baby and I am sure most of us have wondered about this at some point or the other. The proper feeding techniques are readily available for everyone to refer to, though I keep wondering what one should do when your baby refuses to eat/drink. Sometimes, even when the babby is severely de-hydtared, it won't touch anything that is offerred.:osnap specially in the heat!! :shakehead

What should be done in such a condition.

Is force-feeding an option?
If yes, how?
If no, what is the right thing to do?

Also, is it natural for appetite to decrease when an addition/change is made to the baby's diet?:dono

I am sure that many newbies like me will want to know, and I am equally sure that all the experienced minds here will be happy to help :)

:thankyou

[island rehabber]

Very good question and one worth addressing as often as we need to. :thumbsup

MOST of the time, seriously MOST of the time, lack of appetite is due to one of two things:

* DEHYDRATION

*ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA

In the case of dehydration, the longer the baby goes without fluids the less appetite she has, causing further dehydration, and more loss of appetite, and eventual death. Therefore, getting fluids into her -- even if it's drop by drop by drop every hour on the hour -- is absolutely a MUST.

In the case of aspiration pneumonia, the baby can't breathe to begin with and when it tries to suck from the syringe it makes breathing even harder. You'll see the baby eagerly take the first 1cc or so and then drop off, breathing hard. This is a sure sign of aspiration pneumonia even when you don't hear clicking or wheezing yet, and antibiotics are a MUST.

Other reasons for not wanting to eat:

*feedings are spaced too close together
*baby is getting too old for late night or middle of the night feedings (yay!)
*formula is TOO COLD. Some younger baby squirrels and nearly all pinkies want very warm formula -- almost hot, to our touch. Otherwise they have no interest. Rememb er they would normally get their milk from mamma's body which is a toasty 102 degrees.

Hope that helps. :)

[Lakshika]

so for babies who are too small to eat independently, is it right to force feed by inserting the syringe into their mouths?

once their front teeth grow, it is difficult to get syringes into their mouths.. what to do then?

im sorry if these are stupid questions.. but just out of genuine curiosity :) :thankyou

[SammysMom]

No such thing as a stupid question! You have to be very careful when "force feeding" as aspiration is too easy to have happen. Drop by drop into the side of their mouth is probably the best thing to do. Once they are hydrated it is likely that they take food more readily.

[Monipenny]

As you rightly noticed that there is a problem when baby squirrels refuse milk, the trick is finding out why the baby is refusing it. Island Rehabber gave you the most common things to look for. See if any of those are possibly the reason for your baby. It helps us to know more information about your squirrel.

1. Age and weight of the squirrel?
2. What formula are you using and are you using a 1 cc syringe to feed?
3. How much and how often have you been feeding him milk?
4. Have you checked for dehydration by pinching the skin between the shoulders and does the skin fall back quickly or slowly (dehydrated if skin falls back slowly.) If the baby is dehydrated you have to hydrate him first or else he will not be able to digest milk. Mix 3 Tbsp. sugar with 1 quart of very warm water and serve warm regularly until hydrated.
5. What else do you feed the squirrel?
6. Are you keeping the squirrel warm with a heating pad on low under half of the cage?
7. Does the squirrel urinate and poop on it's own or do you stimulate to help him go to the bathroom?
8. Is he making clicking noises or having trouble breathing (sign of pneumonia) and is deadly if not treated with antibiotic immediately.

The more information you give will help us to narrow down the problem. At some point and every squirrel is different, most will begin to refuse and cut down on milk. The age when this happens depends on each squirrel.

[farrelli]

So is this just a hypothetical question? I got the idea from your other thread that you broke this cycle with your little guy and that he was eating and drinking, pooping and peeing fine now. Is he not?

Btw, weighing them is a GREAT thing to do because it will not only tell you that they're progressing correctly, but often show an underlying problem before you'll see it through other means.

[Lakshika]

No such thing as a stupid question! You have to be very careful when "force feeding" as aspiration is too easy to have happen. Drop by drop into the side of their mouth is probably the best thing to do. Once they are hydrated it is likely that they take food more readily.


:thankyou will keep that in mind... :)

hope i never need to do it though :thumbsup

[Lakshika]

So is this just a hypothetical question? I got the idea from your other thread that you broke this cycle with your little guy and that he was eating and drinking, pooping and peeing fine now. Is he not?

Btw, weighing them is a GREAT thing to do because it will not only tell you that they're progressing correctly, but often show an underlying problem before you'll see it through other means.


I'm so sorry. :O yes this is a question I am asking to be sure what to do if this happens next time. this time he was in good shape enough for me to be able to re-hydrate him... he is fine now *knock on wood* thanks to all you guys...

but yes, he did give up eating for three feedings altogether when i switched him onto formula!!!:shakehead and he does that every time we change anything in his diet!!!! this is always really scary for me... i want to make sure that i know what to do, in case this happens again...

the little guy is so precious to me that maybe i'm being too paranoid... but i just want to be very sure about what i'm doing... thankyou everyone for bearing with me... im sorry if im taking up too much time... :( :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou

[Lakshika]

So is this just a hypothetical question? I got the idea from your other thread that you broke this cycle with your little guy and that he was eating and drinking, pooping and peeing fine now. Is he not?

Btw, weighing them is a GREAT thing to do because it will not only tell you that they're progressing correctly, but often show an underlying problem before you'll see it through other means.


for the weight thing. I am looking for an electronic weighing scale.. I will be going to the market tomorrow for that too. As of now, i have only been able to get hold of a spring balance.. i don't think that will help though... :sanp3

[farrelli]

im sorry if im taking up too much time... :(

Absolutely not! We judge how good a mommy is by how many questions they ask and how paranoid they are. The ones who are silent and think everything will just work out are the ones that upset us. Good mommies like you are a pleasure!

[Fireweed]

Absolutely not! We judge how good a mommy is by how many questions they ask and how paranoid they are. The ones who are silent and think everything will just work out are the ones that upset us. Good mommies like you are a pleasure!
:D :goodpost
Yes, the more you ask, the more you talk, the more pics you post (:poke :tilt), the more everyone breathes a little better and sleeps through the night without tossing and turning, worrying about your baby. :thumbsup Ok, I exaggerate...but not by much! :D

[Skul]

:wave123 Lakshika. Is this an Indian Palm Squirrel you are caring for?
We have had many others on TSB that have raised them.

[Lakshika]

:wave123 Lakshika. Is this an Indian Palm Squirrel you are caring for?
We have had many others on TSB that have raised them.


yes it is :)

[Lakshika]

:D :goodpost
Yes, the more you ask, the more you talk, the more pics you post (:poke :tilt), the more everyone breathes a little better and sleeps through the night without tossing and turning, worrying about your baby. :thumbsup Ok, I exaggerate...but not by much! :D

thanks farelli, fireweed :) everyone here is so much help :) :thankyou

[farrelli]

So how is your guy? Still eating and drinking well?

And how are those pictures coming?