What to have on hand for baby season?

[DarkLies212]

Since finding TSB, I want to do everything right. Since moving all around, I've got a ton of people in a 100+ mile radius knowing about Ambrose and the other babies I raised and I got most of my previous babies from those people. With y'all experts here, I want to do things right this time.

I'll be making an order to Henry's within the next week, so what should I keep on hand for babies? Just in case.
I have the non-auto-shut-off heating pad and large and small syringes, but the small ones have the numbers faded off. I also have some new fleece and some stuffed animals.
What size syringes? 1cc I know, but how many and what else?
What type of nipples? And how many?
What type of formula mixture? Should I stick with Esbalic with Probiotics since there's been issues with the FV? Or still get the FV?
What about the UltraBoost?
What about the Rescue Remedy stuff? I've never used any on Ambrose, but I've read here that it's fantastic.

I'm hoping the momma's keep track of their babies, but just in case..I want to be prepared..

[SammysMom]

Definitely a good supply of 1cc syringes WITH the numbers. You need to be sure to know how much you are giving so the old ones are a pain in the neck. The Miracle Nipples are really the very best. Pedialyte is a good thing to have. I got a box of the small packets to add to water so it is easier to not have to throw out so much of it. Cottonballs and q-tips are great to have. A plastic sterlite container with holes poked in the lid. I will keep thinking...lol

[DarkLies212]

Yay, a good start! What type of container with holes in it? Is that to keep the formula warm? Also, how many miracle nipples? Do they chew through them often?

[SammysMom]

The container is to put babies in with fleece...lol Sort of shoebox size.
Miracle nipples last a long time so a couple of them is probably okay.

[HRT4SQRLS]

DL212
Definitely get your syringes at Henry's because the O ring syringes are the BEST. Smooth as silk! :grin2 I would get several of the 1cc. They are cheap. I would also get a couple 3 cc syringes for the larger babies. The Miracle nipple will be the 'go to' nipple but it wouldn't hurt to have a small pack of the silicon mothering nipples also. This is just in case you have a larger baby that is a nipple chewer. The Miracle nipples are a little pricy (about $4) as opposed to the silicon mothering nipple that is about 40¢. With a 'nipple chewer' I would use the cheaper nipple. :peace

You will need a scale that weighs in grams also.

I would order a bag of FoxValley 32/40 to keep in the freezer. It will work fine for older babies. As far as the Esbilac w/ probiotics, I would wait until I get babies. If you have a PetSmart, PetCo or PetSuperMarket you can buy that anytime. If you don't have one locally, I guess I would go ahead and buy it. It is pricy (almost $30 for 12 ounces) so I would buy it as needed due to the price. Because the FV has to be ordered, I would go ahead and get it. Shipping at Henry's is 'flat rate' so I would stock up on supplies with one order. :thumbsup

The Sterilite container SM is talking about is a baby bin. It has to be big enough for baby or babies and the fleece. It needs plenty of holes for air. I used my drill with a 1/2 inch drill bit to drill holes. You MUST use the lid because tiny babies will climb out of the bin. They will surprise you with their climbing skills even as tiny things. As they get larger, I stepped up to a larger bin. I used this until they were ready for their first baby cage.

I would get at least 2 Miracle nipples. Of course, I'm OCD so I bought 10. Yes, some will chew them ... others will not. I think I used the same nipple for my little girl. :grin:Love_Icon

[DarkLies212]

Sammy's Mom, THAT kind of container! I have one of those too! I have an empty glass aquarium with a locking metal mesh top and then once they graduate to the bigger size, I have a huge tub, and then a few different cages for when they get big and for eventual release

HRT4SQRLS, lots of info o.o Thank you! As for the Esbalic, I read somewhere about there being a powdered version, so I wasn't really sure.
I have a scale, yay!

What's a good amount of fleece to use for them? I have some leftover LSU (geaux tigers) fleece from a pillow I made my fiance, but I don't know how he'd feel about sharing his prized fleece with them :poke :grin3 so I'll want to stock up at JoAnn's! Should the fleece be kept whole and folded over or cut up so they can bury?

Shopping list:
3 Miracle Nipples, 12? 1CC syringes, 3 3CC syringes, pack of mothering nipples, 32/40 FV

I think I covered everything in both of y'all posts :thumbsup

[HRT4SQRLS]

DL212
The Esbilac with Probiotics IS a powder. The liquid Esbilac in the can does not have probiotics ... at least for now ... maybe later. The powder does have a long shelf life but because it's usually available locally I will just wait to buy it as needed.

I'm beginning to think all squirrel peeps are fleece hoarders. :grin2 A couple yards would be more than enough. Check Joanne fabrics remnant bin. I found some fleece in the bin from the end of the bolt. Super cheap ... especially with a coupon. I leave some of it larger and cover the bottom of the bin with several layers and I also cut it into small pieces so they can burrow under it.

Babies .... so exciting!!! :poke

[DarkLies212]

Ohhh, okay, that makes sense about the Esbalic! I'm not really *near* any of those places, but if need be, I'm willing to drive anywhere!

I don't want to become a fleece hoarder! :tinfoil I'm trying to resist JoAnns now! Oh well, coupons and cuteness, here I come. How big do you cut it? And are strips bad, just in case they get tangled in it?

I so badly want to raise another, but I know they're better off with their mothers :grin3 Keep your babies in check mommas! :Love_Icon

[CritterMom]

If you have a Walmart, they sell both lap throws and whole blankets out of that super soft microfleece. If you get a blanket and cut it into pieces you will have fleece for days a lot cheaper than buying fabric at Joanne. I always check the lap throws too - all of that stuff is on sale now.

When you cut the microfleece it will fuzz like crazy - put it in the waher and dryer - you will want to clean the lint trap several times while it dries - but it won't fuzz after that.

[DarkLies212]

That's a fantastic idea Crittermom!
How big should I cut the throws?

[HRT4SQRLS]

How big should I cut the throws?

Oh yes, I love the micro fleece. So soft. I paid less than $3 for some fleece throws at WalMart after Christmas. The micro fleece is a little higher but it is SO worth it.

I cut fleece large enough to cover the bottom of the bin with about 3 or 4 layers. Add several inches so it goes up the walls of the bin a little bit. I didn't want them to crawl under the fleece. I also cut little 'squirrel blankets'. :grin2 4"x4" ... 5"x5" ... 6"x6" so that they can burrow under. I actually used the tiny fleece pieces when they got a little older. I put them in their cube. I left the pieces a little larger for the babies because there is a whole lot of squirrel laundry with these little ones. If you cut them too small they will go to 'sock' black hole when you wash them. :poke

[DarkLies212]

Yay!
Taking notes!!
228770

Someone should write all the awesome info on this board and make a book out of it o.o
TSB's Wisdom