Depending on size of pups--by 1 week of age they are fed 5 times/day. I offer a bottle or tube feed after every feeding--whether they take it or not depends on how much they get from Mom. If they are uncoordinated with the bottle I tube feed. Basically the time works out to every 4 hours during the day and a skipped feeding at night. I monitor behavior (are they content and sleeping or restless and crying), gaining weight, normal poops. Once eyes are open and they are of sufficient size not to get squashed I leave Mom with them and let them free feed. I still may supplement several times each day.

Miriam Olesen
http://www.omegabulldogs.shutterfly.com/

After a certain time period or right when they are born? Do you supplement there nursing? Thanks for the help!

Jeremy

Pups need to gain daily--altho a little weight loss the first day or two is acceptable especially if the pups had any water on them. As a rule I find smaller pups will double their birth weight in 1 week while larger pups may take 10 days (big pups have more weight to gain in order to double.) However all pups usually take off at this point and triple their weight by 3 weeks. A slowing of weight gain between 3-4 wks is usually an indication that they are no longer getting enough milk and it is time to start weaning them. I try not to worry about what a chart says a pup should weigh as body type and bone differ in every pup and as long as they continue to gain and weight looks good to my eye I don't worry about the actual number. Also the 1st week pups are started on solid foods can also be very critical and weight needs to be monitored carefully at that time too.

Miriam Olesen
http://www.omegabulldogs.shutterfly.com/

First of all pups love to suck and will suck forever even if they are not getting a drop. The only indication may be at first that they try moving from one tit to another looking for one with better output. However after a little while they will settle down and suck contentedly even if there is nothing there. The only sure way to know is to weigh the pups daily. The first day or two if pups are on the small side I might feed every 2 hours but you can't keep that up forever--you'll become so exhausted you might make a mistake that could kill a pup. With 8 pups I would be amazed if Mom comes into sufficient milk that you are not going to have to supplement the entire time. I have 4 babies that are now 6 days old. Mom still has not come into sufficient milk--some never do. I feed 5 times a day putting them on Mom first and then supplement feeding them. They sleep between feeds--I wake them on schedule. They are gaining 20+ grams per day and did not lose weight even the first couple of days. I am now feeding at 9 AM-1PM-5PM-10PM and 5AM (this feed I tube feed only and do not mess with Mom.) To encourage Mom to potty pups--I hold her head firmly in place by grasping one jowl so she can't pull away and then I put a blob of Nutrical on pups butt--tastes good and Mom will lick it off which will cause the pup to potty. It sometimes takes a few days but usually by the time her ral milk has come in she is feeling maternal and will potty her babies. If you want to email or call I will be happy to answer specific questions.

Miriam Olesen
http://www.omegabulldogs.shutterfly.com/

The pups will try sucking even if they don't get anything, as long as they have the strength. That is why it is important to weigh them, to be sure they are actually getting milk and not just re-cycling their saliva. I'll send you a chart to print out.

I potty only before each feeding and not after. I have found the stimulous to make them potty after a feed can cause a full pup or one that has the tendency to spit up easily to vomit and thus increase the chance of aspiration. I think aspiration is the #1 cause of genetically healthy Bulldog pups to die. #2 I think is being sat on or stepped on by Mom.

Miriam Olesen
http://www.omegabulldogs.shutterfly.com/

could you send it to the above address? So my cycle will be every two hours...Weigh, Potty, Nurse, Potty....all over again in 2 hours.

I wish Boston would help with the potty part but she want nothing to do with it. She was really good nursing just a few minutes ago and so were the kids. If they are not getting milk, they will stop sucking right? I just hope they are not sucking forever and getting nothing.

They are all piled in a ball sleeping right now, so cute!


Thanks!

Jeremy

Potty the pups before and after every nursing. When you weigh the pups do it the same way each time so you get an accurate weight. Example - potty, weigh, nurse. Be sure to write down the weights so you have a record and don't have to rely on your memory, for certain as the hours and days of round the clock feedings pass, your mind will go numb from lack of sleep.
I have a chart for recording puppy weights, if you would like a copy.

Yes any suggestions will be very welcome. I have everything you mentioned, the pups are under heat lamps and its 75-80, they seem comfortable. I got Boston to feed them 4 at a time, so that was a relief, but she would not lick them. I got them to poop and pee, that was pretty easy. Thanks so much for the help, now of to feeding number 2!

Oh yeah do I get them to go to the bathroom before and after eating everytime? Thanks!

I suggest you keep the puppies warm using a heating pad, covered with a light towel, and placed against the side of the puppy container (using the laundry basket will work well with this) so that, setting heat on LOW, it should emit enough warmth but the pups wouldn't overheat as they might if it were underneath them. Check the thermometer to be sure you get a good temp, between 78-80 perhaps, and you can gauge this also by looking at the pups breathing: if they are "mouth-breathing", ie with their mouths open, its usually an indication they are too warm, but if they are restless, they may be too cool. Healthy newborn pups will twitch and jerk occasionally...its nature's way of aiding their circulation, so don't be alarmed if you see this sporadically. Have you weighed them? Its the most accurate way to be sure they are gaining and doing well. As they mature, you will want to lengthen the time between feedings to 3hrs and then a bit more. Are you feeding mama anything extra besides her regular food? Do you want suggestions on what to give a nursing mom??

I suggest you keep the little ones separate, in a controlled setting (if you don't have incubator)that has a thermometer so you can tell the temp inside the container (rectangular plastic laundry basket will work for now, lined with several layers of soft cloth/toweling, newspapers underneath it all) where the temperature is about 78 degrees and its protected from drafts with a light covering over 3/4 of the top (baby receiving blanket works well for this). Put pups to mama to nurse every 2hrs, probably half at one time, for about 10mins and make sure that each "hooks onto a nipple" and is nursing. You would ideally have someone else there helping you to make sure mama is relaxed and staying down on her side while pups are nursing (until she understands the routine). Put mama on a soft padded surface too, so pups have something warm and soft underneath them, and always protect them from drafts. Newborn pups have very little body-fat and they can chill easily this first week. If mama wants to lick any of them, that's okay but don't force her to do much...just get her to relax and become accustomed to having the pups to her. Do you know how to "make pups pee and poop"? That will need to be done before putting them to nurse, using soft cotton balls dipped into warm water, or preheated baby wipes (non-alcohol). This is how I did things...others here will have additional comments. Check mama's incision site often, clean gently if needed, but always after she comes inside from pottying herself. Make sure mama is eating several times a day...keep her food and water nearby and encourage her.