To Boost or Not To Boost, that is the question...

[mamaardilla]

I ordered the FV Boost and it should be here today or tomorrow. I understand that, occasionally, it may cause digestive issues and that we may have to adjust amount etc.

With that in mind, I would like to know if y'all think I should use the product? I ask because our baby (still not sure of age), while apparently small, is gaining well and has never had any digestive issues so I'm hesitant to introduce something new if it's not really needed.

Here are her stats as of today:

Eyes still closed, bottom teeth have been in, top gums protruding like she's about to cut top teeth. Hair coming in nicely. As of this morning she weighs 59g but is slowly but steadily gaining (up 11g just since Sunday).

Do you think I should add the Boost? Is she severely underweight/behind?

Thanks for any advice. :grouphug

[Charley Chuckles]

I've never used it. She seems like a normal weight to me🤔
I'm just thinking if she's doing well why rock the boat😉
Let others chime in.

[mamaardilla]

I've never used it. She seems like a normal weight to me🤔
I'm just thinking if she's doing well why rock the boat😉
Let others chime in.

I'm of the same camp (if it ain't broke, don't fix it) but would love some expert advice on whether or not she's way behind on weight. I find a thousand charts for how much to feed based on weight but I have no guide to know about how much she should weigh based on approx. age.

The Boost came in the mail just an hour ago. Like I said, she eats, pees, poops, all with regularity and on track for her weight, which she did even before I had scale LOL. "No more, thank you" (turns head).
Just am wondering about how much is normal weight at her age and how far off she is...

Thanks for your awesome response!:w00t

Attached is new pic since she seems to grow and change every single day now!

[HRT4SQRLS]

Are the eyes open?

[mamaardilla]

Are the eyes open?

No, not yet.

[HRT4SQRLS]

The eyes open at 5 weeks. Mel1959 routinely uses FV UltraBoost to the formula. She will be able to answer your questions about it. I don’t think she has ever had any problems with it. It has a high fat content so they start gaining weight rapidly with it.

59g sounds about right for an eyes closed FL baby. Our squirrels are small compared to other states.

[Mel1959]

I read your thread. Your baby looks like she’s healthy and doing well. Yes, I always use Ultraboost and a small spoon of full fat vanilla yogurt in my formula. But, I do that from the very beginning, so there’s never the problem of adjusting to different things being added multiple times. I’ve never had a problem with loose stools, nor constipation, with any babies I’ve raised on this formula.

I use the Ultraboost because I like my babies to be as plump as possible before I put them into the release cage. Once they go in there it seems they begin to lose interest in food and therefore lose weight.

[mamaardilla]

The eyes open at 5 weeks. Mel1959 routinely uses FV UltraBoost to the formula. She will be able to answer your questions about it. I don’t think she has ever had any problems with it. It has a high fat content so they start gaining weight rapidly with it.

59g sounds about right for an eyes closed FL baby. Our squirrels are small compared to other states.

Aw, thanks so much! I forgot the FL squirrels aren't gigantic (I just moved here from Maryland in January).

Thanks for taking time to respond. Have a great night!:grin2

[mamaardilla]

I read your thread. Your baby looks like she’s healthy and doing well. Yes, I always use Ultraboost and a small spoon of full fat vanilla yogurt in my formula. But, I do that from the very beginning, so there’s never the problem of adjusting to different things being added multiple times. I’ve never had a problem with loose stools, nor constipation, with any babies I’ve raised on this formula.

I use the Ultraboost because I like my babies to be as plump as possible before I put them into the release cage. Once they go in there it seems they begin to lose interest in food and therefore lose weight.

Awesome...thank you. I'm trying the Boost this evening so we'll see if there are any issues tonight/tomorrow. I'm still doing an overnight feeding since she was so small starting out.

At what age do you put them in release cage? She's become VERY Active in the last two days...and it seems she's about to cut those top teeth and it may be sore...When should I have or when can I put something in with her to chew on? I have the FV nuggets (I think that's what they're called) but I read that I shouldn't give her those til after she opens her eyes?

Thanks so much and sorry for 1000 questions...I'm trying to get it right! She's so loving and adorable. :blowkiss

[mamaardilla]

I read your thread. Your baby looks like she’s healthy and doing well. Yes, I always use Ultraboost and a small spoon of full fat vanilla yogurt in my formula. But, I do that from the very beginning, so there’s never the problem of adjusting to different things being added multiple times. I’ve never had a problem with loose stools, nor constipation, with any babies I’ve raised on this formula.

I use the Ultraboost because I like my babies to be as plump as possible before I put them into the release cage. Once they go in there it seems they begin to lose interest in food and therefore lose weight.


UPDATE: She has been on 3/4 FV and 1/4 Boost for a few days and we've had no gastro issues. I know we shouldn't change the ratio to more than 50/50 but do you think I should move toward more Boost? Oddly, per the scale, she isn't gaining like she was but it's hard to get her to stop moving/ice skating on it...She LOOKS great but I think she's still small. I will weigh a little baby blanket and then weigh her with the baby blanket draped over the scale so it's not so slippery for her so I can get an accurate weight.

The biggest news issssssss....SHE OPENED HER GORGEOUS EYES!!!! Sunday a little and then yesterday almost fully! Her little face is sooooooooooooo cute!!!! :Love_Icon

Will post new pics when I get a chance but I guess that means she's 5 weeks. I still have her in her container. I will read up on when to move her into bigger cage but for now she's comfy and happy. Thanks for the help! Just wanted to update you!

[Charley Chuckles]

Adorable pic😄
I don't put in release cage until fully weened.

[Spanky]

At what age do you put them in release cage? She's become VERY Active in the last two days...and it seems she's about to cut those top teeth and it may be sore...When should I have or when can I put something in with her to chew on? I have the FV nuggets (I think that's what they're called) but I read that I shouldn't give her those til after she opens her eyes?

I usually move them from a plastic bin to an indoor cage (like a Critter Nation cage) at around 7 weeks... sometimes earlier. Move them before they can get out of the bin IMO.

A release cage is outdoors where they spend weeks getting acclimated to the outdoors, observing the wild squirrels and we limit our contact with them to allow them to "wild up" before opening a portal allowing them to come and go. They should not be put outdoors, in a release cage until at least 14 weeks of age.

[mamaardilla]

I usually move them from a plastic bin to an indoor cage (like a Critter Nation cage) at around 7 weeks... sometimes earlier. Move them before they can get out of the bin IMO.

A release cage is outdoors where they spend weeks getting acclimated to the outdoors, observing the wild squirrels and we limit our contact with them to allow them to "wild up" before opening a portal allowing them to come and go. They should not be put outdoors, in a release cage until at least 14 weeks of age.

SUPER helpful, thank you so much. I believe she's just 5 weeks and, as of yesterday, weighs 60g. I will follow the advice/guidelines y'all give as far as changing domiciles. She's still just formula fed and has tried the squirrel block a couple times. She enjoys it for about a minute LOL.

Thanks again for your very helpful responses. I really do appreciate you. :serene

[mamaardilla]

Adorable pic😄
I don't put in release cage until fully weened.

Thanks so much! Y'all are so awesome with your responses! :grin2