Chart for Feeding Periods?

[Javarat]

Looking for a chart on feeding periods.
Specifically when to go from 4 hour feeds, to 6 hours, to 8 hours, etc...
Would have thought this would be a sticky, like "How often to feed formula"

[island rehabber]

Looking for a chart on feeding periods.
Specifically when to go from 4 hour feeds, to 6 hours, to 8 hours, etc...
Would have thought this would be a sticky, like "How often to feed formula"

One of the issues is that squirrel babies differ so much sometimes that it is hard to make a feeding chart OR a "recommended weight by age" chart. We've all had the scrawny 4-weekers whose eyes popped open, and then the 200-gram bruisers with eyes still shut at nearly 6 wks old.

Here's what I do: I start with every 3 hrs for pinkies UNLESS they are truly neonates with NO formed eye slits and weighing less than 14g. For those I go every 2.5 hrs round the clock.

Between 3-5 weeks I continue every 3 hrs until they seem to not be hungry for some of the feedings -- at that point I switch to every 4 hrs. I keep that every 4 hrs for a looooong while -- probably until they are 6 wks with eyes open, but I cut out the night feedings after 4 wks old and let them go about 6 hrs overnight. Again, every baby is different. Some dehydrate quickly and need supplementary hydration between feedings; others are good to go 7 hrs overnight with no problem.

Rehabbing squirrels is an equal combination of sound methodology and intuition, IMHO. You gotta go with their flow.

[cava]

^^great advice.