Goat's milk v.s. nursing at 5 1/2 weeks

[tammys]

Mama has just about had it. As most of you know, she has had a hard time with the mommy role since the beginning, and since they have their little needle teeth now, she wants even less to do with them. I felt terrible the other day when they were done nursing, and I saw teeth marks around one of the nipples! I have rarely felt that with my babies! She is being so patient, but she is is done!

Last night while they nursed, they looked frantic, trying to get more milk. I realize it's normal at 5 1/2 weeks for her to have less milk, but they were desperate, so I brought them 2 tablespoons of diluted goat's milk, and they lapped it up in a minute! This morning, I brought them a little bowl with 4 tablespoons of diluted goat's milk, instead of mama, and they were thrilled! Mama who? We like goats!

They are doing much better with the food, but need to learn to go to the food bowl instead of looking for milk when they're hungry, so I plan on only offering the milk 4 times/ day and weaning off that in the next few weeks. Any thoughts on that?

p.s. Since we are going out of town, my neighbor will take over with the routine, and we will start weaning off that when we get back.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by tammys

Mama has just about had it. As most of you know, she has had a hard time with the mommy role since the beginning, and since they have their little needle teeth now, she wants even less to do with them. I felt terrible the other day when they were done nursing, and I saw teeth marks around one of the nipples! I have rarely felt that with my babies! She is being so patient, but she is is done!

Last night while they nursed, they looked frantic, trying to get more milk. I realize it's normal at 5 1/2 weeks for her to have less milk, but they were desperate, so I brought them 2 tablespoons of diluted goat's milk, and they lapped it up in a minute! This morning, I brought them a little bowl with 4 tablespoons of diluted goat's milk, instead of mama, and they were thrilled! Mama who? We like goats!

They are doing much better with the food, but need to learn to go to the food bowl instead of looking for milk when they're hungry, so I plan on only offering the milk 4 times/ day and weaning off that in the next few weeks. Any thoughts on that?

p.s. Since we are going out of town, my neighbor will take over with the routine, and we will start weaning off that when we get back.

Mother Nature has a way of making things all work out. At the time mom's milk starts changing, baby teeth start coming in.

It's great that you've begun the weaning process. But, since the teeth are in you can start experimenting with puppy food, grinding it a bit and softening whith either distilled water or goats milk or adding Gerbers rice cereal. Experiment. Just make sure that mom is out of the area when you do this. Offer about 4 times a day. Make sure you don't take mom completely (put her in at night) so, that you don't have her breasts burst on you.

[tammys]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Mother Nature has a way of making things all work out. At the time mom's milk starts changing, baby teeth start coming in.

It's great that you've begun the weaning process. But, since the teeth are in you can start experimenting with puppy food, grinding it a bit and softening whith either distilled water or goats milk or adding Gerbers rice cereal. Experiment. Just make sure that mom is out of the area when you do this. Offer about 4 times a day. Make sure you don't take mom completely (put her in at night) so, that you don't have her breasts burst on you.

We started the puppy food last week. I have been grinding it and making it mushy with water, and they are becoming more interested. Yesterday they actually went up to the bowl and ate on their own. Before that, they would lick it off our fingers, and we would slowly move our fingers toward the bowl.

I am planning on bringing her to them a few times/day so she won't get engorged and get mastitis. I had that twice in my life, and it was the sickest I have ever been. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

We absolutely have to keep her away! This morning, she heard me making the goat's milk, and saw that they were licking it up, so of course, she wanted some! They glanced up at her, but as soon as I told her to go to bed, they went back to their bowl.

So, it sounds like we're on the right track. Thanks!

[Princessangela3]

Hi Tammy, I am feeding my pups as a "supplemental snack" the gerbers rice cereal and goats milk mixed with warm distilled water. They do not eat much but they love it and Bella gets a break from 5 pups nursing. Whatever is left in the bowl I give to Bella. I offer it to them from a spoon as when I put them to the bowl they just get in the bowl

[Princessangela3]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

Mother Nature has a way of making things all work out. At the time mom's milk starts changing, baby teeth start coming in.

It's great that you've begun the weaning process. But, since the teeth are in you can start experimenting with puppy food, grinding it a bit and softening whith either distilled water or goats milk or adding Gerbers rice cereal. Experiment. Just make sure that mom is out of the area when you do this. Offer about 4 times a day. Make sure you don't take mom completely (put her in at night) so, that you don't have her breasts burst on you.

When should the weaning process start? How long is a can of goats milk good for after opening it?

[tammys]

Originally Posted by Princessangela3

Hi Tammy, I am feeding my pups as a "supplemental snack" the gerbers rice cereal and goats milk mixed with warm distilled water. They do not eat much but they love it and Bella gets a break from 5 pups nursing. Whatever is left in the bowl I give to Bella. I offer it to them from a spoon as when I put them to the bowl they just get in the bowl

I've stayed away from the rice cereal, b/c ours have always had a problem pooping - if they go once/day, we're thrilled! The goat's milk seems to be helping that, but the rice cereal is known for stopping human babies up. The BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet is what they give to them when the have diarrhea, so I just went straight to the puppy food.


They are so messy when they first start eating. We started them licking our fingers, and have used baby rubber spoons too. The double-sided bowl that was recommended to me works great, b/c it's not so wide that they can get in it, although they do step in it still.

[Princessangela3]

Originally Posted by tammys

I've stayed away from the rice cereal, b/c ours have always had a problem pooping - if they go once/day, we're thrilled! The goat's milk seems to be helping that, but the rice cereal is known for stopping human babies up. The BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet is what they give to them when the have diarrhea, so I just went straight to the puppy food.


They are so messy when they first start eating. We started them licking our fingers, and have used baby rubber spoons too. The double-sided bowl that was recommended to me works great, b/c it's not so wide that they can get in it, although they do step in it still.

My pups do not have ANY poo problems at all and my boy was a BRAT diet baby. He had chronic ear infections and seemed to be on a lot of antibiotics which cause the diarrhea. We let the pups lick our fingers and then do the spoon feeding. We put them to the bowl more out of curiosity if they would lap it up. Which they did AFTER they climbed into the the bowl. The bowl is actually a lid to a big bowl. We asked for it by putting the bowl down. We have the SMALL double sided dish also but we are only having snack time so far.

[bjh]

Are you leaving the ground up dry food down at all times for them to munch on?

[tammys]

Originally Posted by Princessangela3

My pups do not have ANY poo problems at all and my boy was a BRAT diet baby. He had chronic ear infections and seemed to be on a lot of antibiotics which cause the diarrhea. We let the pups lick our fingers and then do the spoon feeding. We put them to the bowl more out of curiosity if they would lap it up. Which they did AFTER they climbed into the the bowl. The bowl is actually a lid to a big bowl. We asked for it by putting the bowl down. We have the SMALL double sided dish also but we are only having snack time so far.

It's so weird, b/c I have never heard of pups not going regularly, but they have been this way since they were born. Everyone asks if we could have missed some, b/c mama was cleaning then, but she didn't clean them; we had to, so we know every time they went.

Poor thing - those antibiotics can do a number on intestinal flora.

LOL, they do love climbing in, don't they? We started with a lid too, but the mess drove me nuts!

[Princessangela3]

Originally Posted by tammys

It's so weird, b/c I have never heard of pups not going regularly, but they have been this way since they were born. Everyone asks if we could have missed some, b/c mama was cleaning then, but she didn't clean them; we had to, so we know every time they went.

Poor thing - those antibiotics can do a number on intestinal flora.

LOL, they do love climbing in, don't they? We started with a lid too, but the mess drove me nuts!

I hear ya the mess is a BIG MESS but also a great source of entertainment!!! Bella always comes back in and looks at me like "What the he!! did you do to my puppies mommy??" Then she cleans them and the mess all up. I have a system down now and we do much better with the mess factor.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Princessangela3

When should the weaning process start? How long is a can of goats milk good for after opening it?

Angela,

I've usually allowed my moms to call the shots, but for the most part my pups are completely weaned between 9 and 10 weeks of age.

You know I really don't know how long it remains ok after opening it. Reason, is a can usually doesn't last me over 1 day and 1/2.

[tammys]

Originally Posted by bjh

Are you leaving the ground up dry food down at all times for them to munch on?

Yes, it's softened with water.

[tammys]

Originally Posted by Princessangela3

I hear ya the mess is a BIG MESS but also a great source of entertainment!!! Bella always comes back in and looks at me like "What the he!! did you do to my puppies mommy??" Then she cleans them and the mess all up. I have a system down now and we do much better with the mess factor.

LOL, yes, no kidding! They has us laughing all the time. They have started barking at us if we walk by and don't acknowledge them. When we stick our heads in the cage, they stand up and try to bite our hair!

I can't even imagine Cassie cleaning up her babies! Luckily, I already have baby wipes for my little one (the human one!LOL), b/c I use them to clean them up after their feast! Casie just looks at them like they're aliens!

[bjh]

Originally Posted by tammys

Yes, it's softened with water.

I leave out finely ground up dry puppy food down at all times. Mine love it. I never add water.

[Robin Lodal]

I started with the ground up kibble mixed with diluted goats milk. I did that for 2 weeks. Now I have ground up kibble down at all times. A couple of times a day, I will mix it with the goats milk and Molly will finish up leftovers.

Molly has a tendency to get in the puppies' area and eat their ground up kibble, so I have started putting some in her area... but apparently the puppies' kibble tastes so much better than her own.