Need Help

[Dark Wolf]

At three weeks it’s not a huge panic, tube feeding can be risky for novices, if you can get milk replacer and onto a bottle it’s best. Are you trying to feed cow milk? How long since baby ate?

Yes cow milk and we have now got some in to her and I will be up and down for the night to feed her

 

[Dark Wolf]

Could be babe just doesn’t know what to do with the strange rubber teat... check your nipple for how it flows. 6oz is half a small take out coffee... they don’t drink a large volume at once. As long as you’re getting some in that’s a good start!

6oz=177ml=approx 3/4cup

Yes we are getting some into her when we get it into her to take it she drinks but not very much

 

[Kris5902]

You are using whole cow milk, not 2% or skim? Baby might not like the change in milk flavors either. Make sure the nipple is flowing ok and the vent is clear. It could take some time to get it all working

 

[Dark Wolf]

would it be smart to move the mama away from the baby. just need to know

 

[Kris5902]

That all depends on her behavior towards it... if she is aggressive then separate...

 

[Dark Wolf]

That all depends on her behavior towards it... if she is aggressive then separate...

no she is not mean at this time but from what i have seen it looks like it would be smart

 

[Kris5902]

It might not be a bad idea, if that’s your instinct. If she has mastitis and the kid tries to nurse she might hurt it... not so much that she is being mean or rejecting it, just when it tries to nurse it hurts her so she stops it...

 

[ShannonR]

You can try opening the mouth and sticking the nipple in, it will probably take multiple tries and babe will spit it out for a while, but after a few successful feedings it will figure it out.

Coating the nipple in sugar is helpful too!

 

[ShannonR]

would it be smart to move the mama away from the baby. just need to know

I would leave the baby on mom...

 

[Kris5902]

I would leave the baby on mom...

But if she is butting the kid when it tries to nurse it could be dangerous for it... you might need to tie the mother up at least. If we have a ewe that totally rejects a lamb we will sometimes separate them, even if she has milk. If there’s a chance of nursing, sometimes they just need tied up closely and observed/assisted nursing, but if she’s fully dry or has mastitis there’s not much point in confining her with the kid, and with a grafted lamb the bond is usually not as close...