PROPER FEEDING TECHNIQUE!!

[island rehabber]

This video, of Costa Rican member stosh feeding his adorable baby Luna, is an excellent example of correct feeding technique. Please watch, note, and remember:

* 1cc syringe, until babies are at least 5-6 weeks old, eyes open

* Baby is held upright - after eyes open they may be fed on all fours if they prefer, on a table or your lap. ALWAYS keep one hand on the baby.

* syringe is angled approx. 45* UP toward baby's mouth

* feed SLOWLY....allow baby to swallow....push SLIGHTLY, then wait

VIDEO:

[stosh2010]

I find that I have much more control of the syring if I press with the palm of my hand and pinch the sides of the syringe with my fingers. When I tried to feed pressing with my thumb ( like in the movies...ha !) sometimes I would accidentally squirt too much--too quickly...causing a choke or a sneeze.
Especially if you have a "sticky" syringe that is hard to push....
I fill 7 or 8 at a time, and some are harder to push than the others. I keep them in a coffee mug of very warm water...
and because it takes a long time to S-L-O-W-L-Y feed 10 or 12 ccs...and the water starts to cool....I keep a thermos of VERY HOT water close, to add to the syringe mug and maintain a tasty , warm formula. You will notice that a picky eater can sometimes start eating if you change to a WARM syringe.

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EXTRA step... to remove any AIR in syringe.

When filling syringes... fill almost full--( no nipple)Then be sure to tap the handle several times on the counter...with the tip pointed upwards... with the nipple off.
You will see the small bubble that is at the bottom of the syringe...float up to the top and burst. THIS assures that you don't pump AIR into your squirrels mouth . That bubble can sometimes slide up thru the formula--during feeding.Then add the nipple...pump the formula to the nipple tip...then re fill to FULL..
Now you have a full syringe--no bubbles....>>>> THIS is how we do it in Costa Rica...ha !

[iwonka]

Stosh, can I please share your video on my facebook page?

[pappy1264]

I do a little variation on that. I do hold them upright, but I sit on the floor, with my knee bent. I actually put the squirrel on my leg, so their legs are not dangling, but they are still in an upright position (next time I have a little one, will get a pic). I always sit on the floor to feed, just how I am comfortable. Then when they get older, they still lie on my leg, body stretched out (I think I have pics of that).

[newsquirrelmommy]

Great video Stosh. I too feed my Squirt just like you Pappy. I put him on my leg as i sit on the floor and he just stretches out and loves it. He never liked being held in the air just always went to my leg and once he gets the syringe he sprawls right out with his upper body up and lower body laying. Its so cute especially when he pushes his little hands on mine and starts kneading.

[stosh2010]

Stosh, can I please share your video on my facebook page?

Absolutely--use it...and ANY member who wishes to re-post it has my permission...
If a video might help a new mommy or save a baby from aspiration pneumonia...It would be just great.

[stosh2010]

Some babies ( LUNA included) can sure make a mess during feeding... getting extra Fox Valley all over their face.Soooooo
I keep a supply of tissues nearby to wipe her lips, mouth and face when it gets to be noticable. This prevents her from inhaling the milk thru her nose, because sometimes she will "snort" and if her upper lip is covered in milk, she can INHALE it thru her nose....A quick wipe, and on to the next syringe.
I use toilet tissue squares. I buy the brown, un bleached, un-scented type.
I even seperate the two plys to get an extra soft tissue.
Sometimes, I also use these tissues for stimulating her to pee & poop...works great.

[magna]

First off I am not an expert by any means and others on here have a lot more experience than I, but these have saved several little guys that I couldnt get to suckle or were REALLY little. I lucked out and found these on EBAY as they are very expensive. They are worth every penny with my bunnies and the few squirrels I have dealt with. They are lab feeding needles and have a stnls ball on the end. The ones I found were a little to long as I shake some now, I wish they were 1.5 or 2". Here's a pic and this is a great diameter. I have curved also and a little bigger but I think these are the best.