View Full Version : So confused raising infant baby
Found infant with eyes closed about 3 wks ago. Nest was destroyed ? and he was on the ground. He opened his eyes this week. Assuming he is now about 5 wks. Have read all I can about raising an infant and all websites sorta has a different way to accomplish this task. Only have a food scale to weigh him on, it states 56 ml hopefully correct he squirms so much...I am feeding 1 1/2 cc of formula every 3 hrs. Is this the correct amount? Using a syringe and sometimes he eats too fast and apparently bites his tongue, see blood at times. Want to try a bottle with nipple, hopefully to avoid biting tongue and it is so hard for me to control the syringe and giving too much...but nearly all sites advises against this. Main question is what is the ratio of food vs weight? When will he need to have other type foods. ANY help will be appreciated, my 1st time. We named him Odus. Thinking he is bound to survive after falling nearly 8 ft from a tree and being in the cold for no telling how long.
BigNibbler
03-19-2015, 12:01 PM
what formula are you feeding?
how is it mixed?
is it warmed ? how warm ?
definitely should not be biting tongue.
do NOT use glass bottle.
Use syringe.
How are his teeth? Can you see them ?
Does not seem like he is eating enough.
Your are giving us a liquid volume measurement but it should be equivalent to grams.
as one cc of water = 1 gm = 1ml
Like to see photos. 56 seems might low for this age.
Spanky
03-19-2015, 12:32 PM
Only have a food scale to weigh him on, it states 56 ml hopefully correct he squirms so much...I am feeding 1 1/2 cc of formula every 3 hrs. Is this the correct amount? Using a syringe and sometimes he eats too fast and apparently bites his tongue, see blood at times. Want to try a bottle with nipple, hopefully to avoid biting tongue and it is so hard for me to control the syringe and giving too much...but nearly all sites advises against this.
What size syringe are you using? I suspect it is too big for how small your baby making it difficult to not have too much coming out at once. Does the formula (what kind are you using: THIS IS CRITICAL) ever come out his little nose?
Here is the link to the proper feeding technique:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?36777-PROPER-FEEDING-TECHNIQUE!!
Please do not use a bottle, but you can use these nipples with a syringe:
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/the-miracle-nipple.html
I saw your correction in the other post where you said he was eating 1.5 TSP, which would be 7.5ML. That is a lot for a 56GM baby. How sure are you of this weight? Does he have diarrhea or white stools? Are your feeding around the clock?
Pictures would be extremely helpful to help since his weight seems low for his eyes to be open / 5 weeks.
:Welcome to TSB
PS Sorry about all the questions we just want to help you and your baby!
My apologies for any confusion, my 1st post and I have no idea what I am doing on the site. Apparently on Odus either.
I weigh him again, shows 69 ml on my food scale. Didn't know I was suppose to weigh daily (just read that).I am feeding 3/4 of a tsp every 3 hours, not feeding during the night. Finally learned how to make him go to bathroom, doing good there, I think. BM is goldish/yellowish in color a thick paste. I live off the grid and didn't know what to feed him, went to the local feed store (20 miles away) and the lady there said she has raised infants before and this was her recipe....1 can 12 oz evaporated milk, 1/2 cup of water, 1 egg yolk and 1 tsp Karo syrup. That is what I have been feeding him. I saw other formulas on the internet, with so many pros/cons...didn't know what to do, so stuck with the recipe she gave me.
He sleeps on a heating pad after 2 days of me not knowing they didn't make their on heat, he's a survivor for sure. Going back to the feed store and getting the smaller syringe like I got when I found him, it stopped working and found this large one, which I will stop using today. His mouth only bled when I first used it, it isn't now.
Since his eyes has opened, each day he is more active.
stosh2010
03-19-2015, 12:55 PM
Found infant with eyes closed about 3 wks ago. Nest was destroyed ? and he was on the ground. He opened his eyes this week. Assuming he is now about 5 wks. Have read all I can about raising an infant and all websites sorta has a different way to accomplish this task. Only have a food scale to weigh him on, it states 56 ml hopefully correct he squirms so much...
56 ml ??
weight should be in GRAMS
Is it possible it reads 56 gr.
I am feeding 1 1/2 cc of formula every 3 hrs. Is this the correct amount?
..the feeding amount will changes as he grows....
for now..If weight is 56 grams. the ratio is wt. in grams x 5 ( up to a max of wt. X 7 )
56 X 5 = 2.8 cc ( or 2.8 ml. )
56 X 7 = 3.9 cc ( or 3.9 ml ) at each feeding
Space feedings 4 hours apart---round the clock 4am, 8am, noon, 4 pm, 8 pm, midnight, etc....
the hour ( 4,8,12) is not important---just every 4 hours
Using a syringe and sometimes he eats too fast and apparently bites his tongue, see blood at times.
You should be using a 1 cc or 1ml syringe with a latex nipple..
NOTHING larger that 1 cc up to 6 or 7 weeks old.
It should take about 40 seconds or longer for a 1cc syringe feeding...never FAST..or they inhale the liquid into their lungs, get sick and possible pneumonia.
Want to try a bottle with nipple, hopefully to avoid biting tongue and it is so hard for me to control the syringe and giving too much...but nearly all sites advises against this. Main question is what is the ratio of food vs weight? weight in gram --times-5
When will he need to have other type foods. ANY help will be appreciated, my 1st time. We named him Odus. Thinking he is bound to survive after falling nearly 8 ft from a tree and being in the cold for no telling how long.about 8 weeks introduce soft food--see TSB food lists in other forums.
what formula are you feeding?
how is it mixed?
is it warmed ? how warm ?
definitely should not be biting tongue.
do NOT use glass bottle.
Use syringe.
How are his teeth? Can you see them ?
Does not seem like he is eating enough.
Your are giving us a liquid volume measurement but it should be equivalent to grams.
as one cc of water = 1 gm = 1ml
Like to see photos. 56 seems might low for this age.
I can't figure out how to send you a picture. Going to try a different approach. That didn't work. His pic is loaded but don't know how to send it out. I am using the attachment icon on this message. thanks
SammysMom
03-19-2015, 01:14 PM
Welcome to TSB!!! I am going to begin at the beginning here:
1) You MUST change that formula. He needs Esbilac POWDERED puppy formula with probiotics. If, and only if, you can't get that we can help you figure out an alternative. The one you are giving is NOT a viable option.
2) Go to a drugstore and ask the pharmacist for a couple of 3cc syringes. Tell him it is for a kitten as saying it is for a squirrel could get you into trouble. You can order nipples and formula and syringes online. The best nipples that I recommend are Miracle Nipples. I will send you one if you send me your address in a private message or email me at savesquirrels@sbcglobal.net. I will also send you some syringes that are less likely to stick the way the ones from the pharmacy will stick.
Spanky
03-19-2015, 01:17 PM
You can e-mail me the picture if you'd like and I will post: spankkielunn@gmail.com
Can you see if they have Esbilac Puppy Formula at the feed store? The powdered kind (not liquid in can) with Pre and Pro Biotics:
Thanks to everyone for all your help. Going to go to town to find some Esbilac powder and hopefully smaller syringe right now.
Spanky
03-19-2015, 02:13 PM
I proudly present, for your viewing pleasure, the adorable little Odus:
Annabelle's papa
03-19-2015, 02:16 PM
:) Fine Looking Young Man There.:klunk
Thank's Spanky!
TubeDriver
03-19-2015, 02:50 PM
Awwwww.... Klunk!
Odus looks like he is doing his best "Mouse" imitation! :grin2
I proudly present, for your viewing pleasure, the adorable little Odus:
stosh2010
03-19-2015, 03:20 PM
CUTIE...and he has his tail underneath him--just like my Cruiser DUDE... Ha!
LaurelLynn
03-19-2015, 03:26 PM
Welcome to TSB!!! I am going to begin at the beginning here:
1) You MUST change that formula. He needs Esbilac POWDERED puppy formula with probiotics. If, and only if, you can't get that we can help you figure out an alternative. The one you are giving is NOT a viable option.
2) Go to a drugstore and ask the pharmacist for a couple of 3cc syringes. Tell him it is for a kitten as saying it is for a squirrel could get you into trouble. You can order nipples and formula and syringes online. The best nipples that I recommend are Miracle Nipples. I will send you one if you send me your address in a private message or email me at savesquirrels@sbcglobal.net. I will also send you some syringes that are less likely to stick the way the ones from the pharmacy will stick.
Yep, O ring syringes are my most FAVORITE invention ever made! Before I knew about them, the plunger types made me want to scream, always sticking after a few uses :hissyfit
SammysMom
03-19-2015, 03:27 PM
Oh man, he is just too cute! :grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug
SammysMom
03-19-2015, 03:27 PM
Were you able to find the Esbilac?
Made it to the store....Vets office at that, got the right pro/prebiotics Esbilac, got a 3cc syringe. I am ready for next feeding. Thought my scales only weighs ml, but it will weigh grams, ounces, pounds...Duh! Now got to do a conversion from ml to oz so I will know how much to feed.
Guess I will learn how to use The Squirrel Board along with learning how to use my new food scale, ha! I want to thank each and everyone for all the help, please continue giving any advise. Thanks for posting Odus's picture, he is a cutie!! Thanks for all the compliments.
I now have a new family right along with Odus! :serene
Yep, O ring syringes are my most FAVORITE invention ever made! Before I knew about them, the plunger types made me want to scream, always sticking after a few uses :hissyfit
I will be on the lookout for O rings, thanks!!
Were you able to find the Esbilac?
Yes and got 3cc syringe. thanks for all your help!!
I proudly present, for your viewing pleasure, the adorable little Odus:
Thank you so much for posting Odus...wow, he is a cutie!! ha! You have been so helpful!!!
SammysMom
03-19-2015, 03:41 PM
You want to weigh in grams. I think it will be the same as ml from the conversion chart I googled. You then use 5% - 7% of the gram weight in cc/ml for his formula.
He is a little doll!!!:Love_Icon
Spanky
03-19-2015, 04:09 PM
Made it to the store....Vets office at that, got the right pro/prebiotics Esbilac, got a 3cc syringe. I am ready for next feeding. Thought my scales only weighs ml, but it will weigh grams, ounces, pounds...Duh! Now got to do a conversion from ml to oz so I will know how much to feed.
Guess I will learn how to use The Squirrel Board along with learning how to use my new food scale, ha! I want to thank each and everyone for all the help, please continue giving any advise. Thanks for posting Odus's picture, he is a cutie!! Thanks for all the compliments.
I now have a new family right along with Odus! :serene
You'll want to mix about 24 hours worth of Esbilac up ahead of time. Its best if allowed to stand in the refrigerator for a few hours before feeding, but it will be okay this first time if it does not get a chance to sit. Feed it to your baby very warm; most of us warm the syringe full of formula in a hot glass of water. You may even want to use 3 parts water to 1 part powder the first feeding or two to make the change over easier on Odus, then go to the 2 parts water to 1 part powder formula (full strength). Since he seems underweight for his age I would feed every 4 hours around the clock. Other will chime in I am sure!
Heat: Keep heat under only 1/2 his cage so he can get off the heat if he gets too warm.
And its never too early to start learning about healthy diets since nuts should never been the main food a squirrel eats:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels
Update on Mr. Odus....Got the Esbilac, got the 3 cc syringe (so easy to use compared to the big one). With help from you guys got the right measurement for feeding. He did not like the change/taste at first, then went for it. I think, (I know) we are on the right road now. For the record, I finally figured out how to change my food scale to grams and he is 66 grams (he was so tired he stayed still) :)
Never could've have done it without my new found friends on The Squirrel Board. Thank you so very much!! Now will read all the articles that you guys recommended.
Spanky
03-21-2015, 07:24 PM
How is Odus doing? Has he adjusted to the new formula okay? Good poops and pee?!?!?!
How is Odus doing? Has he adjusted to the new formula okay? Good poops and pee?!?!?!
Found out today he is a her. LOL (thanks TSB). Didn't like at first now loves it. Pee/Poop would make any squirrel envious!!! Thanks
LaurelLynn
03-22-2015, 12:06 PM
This is interesting because I also have one who has bitten her tongue a couple rare times. I'm not sure if it's the same as what your boy did, but I've never noticed it happen to any of my other babies
She's still eyes closed and when she is super excited about feeding she gets that tongue action going for nursing AND bites the syringe (probably impatient with how slow I feed) and bit the tip of her tongue. I barely would have noticed a slight pink tinge to the milk around her mouth if the light wasn't perfect and there isn't any actual serious bleeding or anything
Is this what you experienced?
This is interesting because I also have one who has bitten her tongue a couple rare times. I'm not sure if it's the same as what your boy did, but I've never noticed it happen to any of my other babies
She's still eyes closed and when she is super excited about feeding she gets that tongue action going for nursing AND bites the syringe (probably impatient with how slow I feed) and bit the tip of her tongue. I barely would have noticed a slight pink tinge to the milk around her mouth if the light wasn't perfect and there isn't any actual serious bleeding or anything
Is this what you experienced?
Yes exactly the same. Happened about 3 times I am blaming it on changing to a larger syringe. Back to the smaller one and mo more bleeding. As u said so light in color no bright red. Thanks to TSB all seems to be on the uphill swing. Thanks
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