Baby Opened Eyes!

[ka-king]

My baby chipmunk opened his eyes this morning! :Love_Icon

I was told yeserday that he needed some rodent block to chew on because of his long chompers, which he loved! And today I introduced him to little slices of grape and apple to celebrate his new view on life. :wahoo

Is there any concern of him choking on these new foods? I cut them small, but was unsure HOW small.

[Buddy'sMom]

Congratulations! The just-opened-eyes stage is so cute! :) :)

You're right to ask about the grapes -- see this recent discussion: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4553&highlight=Grape

Bottom line: be very cautious. PEEL the grapes first as babies can choke on the skin. Cut into small pieces so they can be swallowed (not get stuck) if baby neglects to chew. [posters in the Grape thread had different opinions whether to cut fruit large or small, but since you can only go one way with grapes-- probably quarters, at least, maybe smaller, to start with]

Enjoy your baby!

[ka-king]

YiKES! I ran right upstairs and checked on him and he was chewing on a grape peel! He didn't enjoy getting it taken away, but I gave him a peeled piece to replace it. I also removed the peel from the apple as well to be safe.

THANKS SO MUCH! That was a close one.

[Momma Squirrel]

You are doing a great job and it sure shows how much you care about your little fuzzer :thumbsup Open eyes are so much fun, look at work here I come :crazy

[muffinsquirrel]

I peel grapes and apples and such for my babies when they are first learning to eat. I usually cut the grapes into quarters. Even seedless grapes still have a 'core' of tougher, kinda stringy stuff where the seeds would be if they had any. (Does that make sense?) I also remove this part, ever since I had one choke on some of it. I cut all other fruit and veggies in fairly large pieces, so that they will not get the whole thing in their mouth and choke. I also take the hard 'core' part out of the apple pieces before I feed them.

I usually get the Dannon LaCreme yogurt, but any is OK as long as it has live cultures in it. Oh, and don't get the sugar-free because it has artificial sweeteners.

If it should happen that they choke on a piece of something, a pair of tweezers and a steady hand usually take care of it. It doesn't usually go down their throat very far - you will be able to see it.

Your babies are so beautiful....good luck with them. And don't worry about being a 'worry-wart' - everyone on the board either was or still is one!

muffinsquirrel

[skwerls_R_soft]

Pictures??!!!

My DH rescued baby Skipper from choking on a grape peel . He had choked and actually passed out. DH managed to get in his tiny mouth and extract the grape peel and get him conscious again. So I can say that the danger IS real!

That was in my "pre-TSB" days and I am getting smarter everytime I visit :)

[pamela lee]

I released my squirrel Peanut 1 and a half months ago and I'm still a worry-wart. Once you've loved and raised one you'll always worry.

[ka-king]

Here are some pictures from the other day when his eyes were still closed. I took some today with his eyes open, I'll put those up as soon as I get a chance to download.

http://www.ka-kingmilestones.com/weechee/outsidesm.jpg
http://www.ka-kingmilestones.com/weechee/handsleepsm.jpg
http://www.ka-kingmilestones.com/weechee/eatsm.jpg

[ka-king]

Video clip if you can view it.

http://www.ka-kingmilestones.com/weechee/day7.AVI

[ka-king]

Oh, should I give the baby yogurt?

[Mars]

Yes, Yogurt is very good for your baby. Mix about a 1/3 part into the formula for each feeding. Pick an organic live cultured yogurt. Mine like vanilla.

[LynninIN]

Can anyone view the video? I can't.:dono

[Mars]

I can. It came up in Quick time.