You are such a good person for caring for this little special baby! I am by NO means a dog expert, but I have worked in the NICU and even though some of the babies could not properly suckle, many mothers kind of mock breast fed them because it is such a wonderful experience for mother and child to share and I believe that half of the wellness process comes from the spirit. So unless there is a reason why he shouldn't, I say continue to let him "nurse".
Best wishes to you and your puppies and momma!
Sarah

Thank you. I will continue to let him then. I wanted to let you know..my second child had to be taken to another hospital and she was in nicu unit for almost two weeks..she almost didn't make it. If it weren't for people like you my daughter wouldn't have survived. So I wanted to say thank you as well for what you do. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Oh thank you, I love my time there! I volunteered there when I was an undergraduate student and then worked with some studies as a graduate student. I am in medical school now and hope to go into neonatology or OB/GYN. I just can't get enough of babies! Although I never know when I'll be able to have one of my own. Lola and Peanut (guinea pig who thinks he is a dog) will have to do for now. I'm so glad that everything worked out for your daughter. Its so motivating to hear from people that have positive experiences while I am dragging myself through medical school, so thank you!!
Sarah

I would definitely let him nurse...it will be good for him to suckle her and I think it could even make him a little stronger. Does she lick and groom him when he nurses her...that is also very good for him. I have heard that babies who nurse work a whole lot harder for their milk than bottle babies. Plus it will make him fee special to have a "Yorkie Mamma" love him! I know his Human Momma loves him to bits and he sure is getting a lot of "Yorkie Talk Aunt's" rooting for him! I hope all goes well between now and Monday and that you get some good cooperation and support from your vet. Tube feeding can be very successful if done properly...I have never done it but know folks who have. Again, get some rest if you can.

Sarah..I can only imagine how hard medical school is. I wanted to tell you that my daughter is 15 now and has hardly been sick at all. And when she was in nicu they only gave her a 50% chance of living. I owe her life to people like you.

Oscar's mom. Yes I always have her clean him after I feed him. I don't let him stay with her when I am not in there just because i'm afraid WHAT IF she tried to hurt him. I know dogs before have killed their offspring because they weren't healthy..but mainly I let him lay with Tasha..she is my other yorkie that had pups march 1st. She is so gentle with him..not that jersey isn't but tasha has showed me she would protect him..cause when jersey rejected him and put him out of her crate tasha got really hateful with jersey and took brody and went and layed down with him and started cleaning him and let him suckle her. So I feel safe but I still don't leave him with her either if i'm not in the room. right now he is snuggled up to a stuffed cat lol..poor pup will have to have therapy for that one..
By the time this is said and done..i think my poor hubby will have to come on here for some therapy..i'm trying to be nice to him but i have to admit i've snapped at him a few times today..but he left my bedroom door open and I need it to stay nice and warm in there..poor hubby..lol

Just wanted to let everyone know that brody is doing great. He is still getting fatter by the day. He has quite a little tummy on him. He's still a tiny little thing but I expect that.
I just wanted to say that everyone on here has been a great help. Thank youu for all your support, prayers and information. I coudln't of done this without your help and knowledge. Brody is alive because of all of your help and I am thankful for that. I will return your kindness so let me know if there is anything I can do for you or anyone else that may need it.

That is just wonderful. Little Brody has just made my day! He certainly is the little fighter! Keep up the good work girl!!!

I'm so glad to hear that he is doing well!

I am very glad that Brody is doing so well. I am also glad that people with experience in this have given you cause to hope. I know in the old days they just put down any pup that was not perfect, and that may be the thing to do to keep the line strong (survival of the fittest and all that!) but in this day and age there are so many things we can do for them that they couldn't back then. And I am sure you have no intention of using him for breeding, he will be your special pet and live a life of ease and love.

Now, are YOU getting any sleep? I know Brody is important and you need to get him strong, but he also needs you to be strong for him. So, get some rest!!

I am sleeping on the floor beside him..he likes to lay with me too. I don't sleep when he does that i'm afraid i'll roll over on him. But yes I"m sleeping now. I just set the alarm so I can feed him every 2 hours.
I'm getting him fixed. I couldn't find a queen good enough for my prince lol..on the more serious note. There is no way I"d breed him. I don't ever want to have this happen to another pup. It is heartbreaking and I'd hate to have to do it again. NOt that I wouldn't but I won't do anything to help the chances of it happening and if i breed him. It can happen. NOpe Brody's main purpose in life now is to show me that their are still miracles. He will forever be my lap dog.
I am so happy he is doing so well. When I feed him my heart just swells. I can't begin to express the feelings I get from taking care of him. I'm lucky. I took a pic of him taking his bottle. Its not a great one cause I was trying to feed him at the same time taking his pic. Not to mention I always use both hands to feed. One to hold him and one to hold the bottle..so it wasn't easy lol..
I also have one of him laying with tasha. (she isn\'t his mommy..she had a litter 3 weeks before brody was born. I also have a pic of brody laying with tashas\' pups..lets see if you can point him out lol