This is just what David had in mind, IMO, when he provided this forum so that us 'experienced' owners can help the newbies. And I like to think that we all enjoy feeling like aunties and uncles to the pups too.

This is just what David had in mind, IMO, when he provided this forum so that us 'experienced' owners can help the newbies. And I like to think that we all enjoy feeling like aunties and uncles to the pups too.

You need to be quick, yet gentle, to get it out before it flushes back into the lungs (concerns re inhalation pneumonia) and yet not damage the gentle tissue of their nares.

Just wiping it away with a Kleenex isn't enough...the nostrils need to be suctioned to be truly effective.

Glad that mama is producing! She will be more relaxed with the nursing routine soon, knowing what to expect and of course, that includes "treats" from you. Try to remember which side she laid on at each feeding so you get her to use the other side the next time...not just to distribute the nipples but for her own internal healing as well.

You need to be quick, yet gentle, to get it out before it flushes back into the lungs (concerns re inhalation pneumonia) and yet not damage the gentle tissue of their nares.

Just wiping it away with a Kleenex isn't enough...the nostrils need to be suctioned to be truly effective.

Glad that mama is producing! She will be more relaxed with the nursing routine soon, knowing what to expect and of course, that includes "treats" from you. Try to remember which side she laid on at each feeding so you get her to use the other side the next time...not just to distribute the nipples but for her own internal healing as well.

but i can still shop!!!!

but i can still shop!!!!

2 bags cotton balls
3 boxes baby wipes
wiper warmer $19 at walmart
soft pillow for Emma to lay head on when nursing
12 pack of dishcloths $4.99 at walmart
small plastic tote/dishpan for hot water beside me while we feed.
small tote to transport puppies from "Nest" to mommy feeding and then back again after clean.
small popsicles - emma will lay nice and still while puppies nurse if we are feeding her a popsicle!
small treats... she gets in pool to nurse alot easier if we have a treat guiding her there!
Queen size egg crate that I folded and put inside sleeping bag, laid blanket over it and wow I am amazed... It really makes a nice place to lay near puppies & Momma.
A heating pad that I am using under a towel, by the nursing area... It is helping to keep puppies warm when I am pooping weighing cleaning after they eat. sometimes momma wants to be done after 20 minutes so I have to take all off quickly and it takes me awhile to get them all situated so this keeps me from having to put back in their "nest" before they are pooped/cleaned etc.
Case of Coke

2 bags cotton balls
3 boxes baby wipes
wiper warmer $19 at walmart
soft pillow for Emma to lay head on when nursing
12 pack of dishcloths $4.99 at walmart
small plastic tote/dishpan for hot water beside me while we feed.
small tote to transport puppies from "Nest" to mommy feeding and then back again after clean.
small popsicles - emma will lay nice and still while puppies nurse if we are feeding her a popsicle!
small treats... she gets in pool to nurse alot easier if we have a treat guiding her there!
Queen size egg crate that I folded and put inside sleeping bag, laid blanket over it and wow I am amazed... It really makes a nice place to lay near puppies & Momma.
A heating pad that I am using under a towel, by the nursing area... It is helping to keep puppies warm when I am pooping weighing cleaning after they eat. sometimes momma wants to be done after 20 minutes so I have to take all off quickly and it takes me awhile to get them all situated so this keeps me from having to put back in their "nest" before they are pooped/cleaned etc.
Case of Coke

before the actual due date so it sometimes takes that long for instincts, hormones and milk to kick in.

I'm helping a friend raise his litter of NINE! She had them on a Saturday. She was due on Tuesday. She was fine with me sitting with her and the pups on Sunday and Monday. When I saw her and them again on Wednesday she decided that I was the enemy and went into protection mode. Hormones had kicked in.

We let our pups nurse on mom and then topped them off with a bottle of goats milk. You need to make sure the hole in the nipple is teeny or it will come out to fast. The aspirator bulb is a very important tool to have. We used Playtex nursers. They worked great. Mom's milk eventually came in & she had plenty.

It's important to weigh the pups daily and make sure you potty them before each feeding. Some mothers will take on the task...some won't.

Our pups are 4 weeks old now & doing great.

Good luck with your babies. The first 2 weeks is always the most nerve wracking and tiring. You'll get through it and it will be worth every yawn.

Sue

before the actual due date so it sometimes takes that long for instincts, hormones and milk to kick in.

I'm helping a friend raise his litter of NINE! She had them on a Saturday. She was due on Tuesday. She was fine with me sitting with her and the pups on Sunday and Monday. When I saw her and them again on Wednesday she decided that I was the enemy and went into protection mode. Hormones had kicked in.

We let our pups nurse on mom and then topped them off with a bottle of goats milk. You need to make sure the hole in the nipple is teeny or it will come out to fast. The aspirator bulb is a very important tool to have. We used Playtex nursers. They worked great. Mom's milk eventually came in & she had plenty.

It's important to weigh the pups daily and make sure you potty them before each feeding. Some mothers will take on the task...some won't.

Our pups are 4 weeks old now & doing great.

Good luck with your babies. The first 2 weeks is always the most nerve wracking and tiring. You'll get through it and it will be worth every yawn.

Sue

I have one and i was just thinking about it last night... when do you suck out nose? when bubbles of milk are coming out? I wondered if it was for nose or mouth or both. Mother of 3 and I still question myself on things like that.

yes more milk is coming in today.

I have one and i was just thinking about it last night... when do you suck out nose? when bubbles of milk are coming out? I wondered if it was for nose or mouth or both. Mother of 3 and I still question myself on things like that.

yes more milk is coming in today.

I'm starting one for my self and it's the little things I sweat!

I'm starting one for my self and it's the little things I sweat!

Does mama seem to have more milk available today?

Add to your list, if you don't already have one, a small suction bulb to suck out milk from nostrils of puppies who eat too fast. Explain to hubby what its to be used for, so he buys one with pointed end small enough.

Does mama seem to have more milk available today?

Add to your list, if you don't already have one, a small suction bulb to suck out milk from nostrils of puppies who eat too fast. Explain to hubby what its to be used for, so he buys one with pointed end small enough.

Thank you for responding so quickly. You have helped to ease my mind ~ i have a list a mile long for hubby to pick up at the store tomorrow. I thought I was prepared but there are still a number of things we didn't get that i know will make this adventure alot easier on all of us.

Time to start thinking about feeding again...

Thank you for responding so quickly. You have helped to ease my mind ~ i have a list a mile long for hubby to pick up at the store tomorrow. I thought I was prepared but there are still a number of things we didn't get that i know will make this adventure alot easier on all of us.

Time to start thinking about feeding again...

This can help disspell gas in the tummy that can come from nursing. Follow instructions on the bottle but 1-2 drops after eating should suffice. Yes, they do look nice and plump. Lets keep them that way. Pups this nice size may be a bit louder than those half as big at birth.

Re how long to stimulate to poop: I used to wipe 2-3 swipes over the anus with warm wet cotton ball and that was usually enough to get them going. Expect the poops to be soft and yellowish at this age...and while there's nothing wrong with letting mama lick them to 'go' if you can help her by doing some of this it may eliminate some of the "burn" on her upper lip that often comes from taking in the puppy waste after a week or two.

This can help disspell gas in the tummy that can come from nursing. Follow instructions on the bottle but 1-2 drops after eating should suffice. Yes, they do look nice and plump. Lets keep them that way. Pups this nice size may be a bit louder than those half as big at birth.

Re how long to stimulate to poop: I used to wipe 2-3 swipes over the anus with warm wet cotton ball and that was usually enough to get them going. Expect the poops to be soft and yellowish at this age...and while there's nothing wrong with letting mama lick them to 'go' if you can help her by doing some of this it may eliminate some of the "burn" on her upper lip that often comes from taking in the puppy waste after a week or two.

I was just taken back by how much they are crying/squealing... they are nursing about 1/2hour every 2 hours, but don't appear to be getting much, so I have topped each puppy off after feeding, as they cry and squeal when i take off teat. Momma is only content for about 1/2 hour. They are all very good size puppies... 1 lb each, they all move from under the heat light and thermometer shows 85. Am i to assume if they get cold they will venture back to the light?

So does them squealing/crying after eating mean they haven't gotten enough, or is this just what they do? It seems like I have 2 who just complain alot! LOL

Thanks again for checking in and helping me... 1st time and i'm unsure... they are so adorable!


1 more thing...how long do you stimulate their behind to get bowel movement?

ok... 1 more.... so it's been 1 hour and 15min since last feeding and puppies are crying... let them cry for another 45 min. or assume they aren't getting enough and feed sooner then 2 hours???

Thx!

I was just taken back by how much they are crying/squealing... they are nursing about 1/2hour every 2 hours, but don't appear to be getting much, so I have topped each puppy off after feeding, as they cry and squeal when i take off teat. Momma is only content for about 1/2 hour. They are all very good size puppies... 1 lb each, they all move from under the heat light and thermometer shows 85. Am i to assume if they get cold they will venture back to the light?

So does them squealing/crying after eating mean they haven't gotten enough, or is this just what they do? It seems like I have 2 who just complain alot! LOL

Thanks again for checking in and helping me... 1st time and i'm unsure... they are so adorable!


1 more thing...how long do you stimulate their behind to get bowel movement?

ok... 1 more.... so it's been 1 hour and 15min since last feeding and puppies are crying... let them cry for another 45 min. or assume they aren't getting enough and feed sooner then 2 hours???

Thx!

drop down, so put the babies to her every 2hrs throughout the night. They may only nurse for 15-20 mins at a time but they need to try at least. Have mama lie down and you sit next to her, feeding her little treats if you have to, to get her to lie quietly...pet her with large swirling motions on her sides, talk sweetly to her, but she has to learn to let them nurse.

Its normal for puppies to squirm and "jerk" around..this is nature's way of stimulating their circulation. If mama is not licking their "privates" to stimulate them to pee/poop then you need to do this, using warm water and cotton ball (clean one for each pup, naturally) and don't expect poop this first day because they may not have received much, but they should be stimulated to pee before each nursing...only takes a minute and helps them wake up too.

Are you keeping them warm but not hot, and definitely sheltered from any drafts? Newborn pups don't have enough body fat to keep themselves warm and usually have a low body temp the first week so they need some help. Using a heating pad, covered and set on "low" along one-side of the whelping box should provide enough heat radiating to keep them at about 80degrees F. If you have a thermometer, hang one in the box, and you may need to drape a sheet over part of it, to again protect from drafts coming from an open window/door, or air-conditioning vent. If pups are sleeping with mouths "open" then they are too hot, and you need to adjust. I presume you are not leaving mom with the pups (not safe to do this) so you should also be sure she is eating and drinking enough to produce energy and food for her babies...and you may need to take her outside to pee. Some bitches become so protective of their pups that they won't willingly go out to pee/poop so you have to take them...and be sure you wipe her feet/teets with damp clean cloth when she comes back inside from the yard before she goes to nurse again.

Don't expect to get much sleep in the next week...this is the hardest time, and the most nerve-racking. Come back here if you have more questions. You CAN do this.

drop down, so put the babies to her every 2hrs throughout the night. They may only nurse for 15-20 mins at a time but they need to try at least. Have mama lie down and you sit next to her, feeding her little treats if you have to, to get her to lie quietly...pet her with large swirling motions on her sides, talk sweetly to her, but she has to learn to let them nurse.

Its normal for puppies to squirm and "jerk" around..this is nature's way of stimulating their circulation. If mama is not licking their "privates" to stimulate them to pee/poop then you need to do this, using warm water and cotton ball (clean one for each pup, naturally) and don't expect poop this first day because they may not have received much, but they should be stimulated to pee before each nursing...only takes a minute and helps them wake up too.

Are you keeping them warm but not hot, and definitely sheltered from any drafts? Newborn pups don't have enough body fat to keep themselves warm and usually have a low body temp the first week so they need some help. Using a heating pad, covered and set on "low" along one-side of the whelping box should provide enough heat radiating to keep them at about 80degrees F. If you have a thermometer, hang one in the box, and you may need to drape a sheet over part of it, to again protect from drafts coming from an open window/door, or air-conditioning vent. If pups are sleeping with mouths "open" then they are too hot, and you need to adjust. I presume you are not leaving mom with the pups (not safe to do this) so you should also be sure she is eating and drinking enough to produce energy and food for her babies...and you may need to take her outside to pee. Some bitches become so protective of their pups that they won't willingly go out to pee/poop so you have to take them...and be sure you wipe her feet/teets with damp clean cloth when she comes back inside from the yard before she goes to nurse again.

Don't expect to get much sleep in the next week...this is the hardest time, and the most nerve-racking. Come back here if you have more questions. You CAN do this.