baby losing weight

[SmileX3]

My little one had turned 1 month on Saturday weighing 140g. Last night and this morning its been crying non stop. I weighed it and it weighs 135g so its actually losing weight. Its only 4 weeks old so I think I need to step in and had feed. Its trying to feed on mama but then moves away. I don't think she's producing milk or something. What exactly do I need to do? I have to go to work right now but I have syringes I just need to get? Non sweetened apple juice for moms water to help produce milk? Goats milk at the tractor store? Baby rice from grocery? Is what I remember right? Just command me on how to do it, quantity in syringe, and how often and I'll do it.

I'm worried bc its been whimpering like a puppy LOUD Any advice will be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Anne-Lise]

Goat milk and baby rice all right with a little syringue. You got the recipe in the FAQ.
For the quantity I'll let the others answer, I always give mine as much as possible.
FOr the mama, I give 1/2 - 1/2 cranberry unsweeten juice and water.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

Sounds like Mom has stopped producing milk. The baby should be hand fed - now. Every 3 hours 24/7 - the recipe can be found of the FAQ. Do not give the mom any juice. Right now that would not work and it would do more harm than good.

 

[SmileX3]

I am so upset right now. Where on earth do I get this goat's milk? The only place in town has powdered in a bag. I'm flipping out! I know someone who has a farm but how many ounces are in the "can" so I can measure exactly and get the right ratio?

 

[RDZCRanch]

There's no set amount to give to the kit. Just give it until the kit is done eating. The baby cereal to goat milk ratio is not important...the baby cereal is just used to thicken up the mixture a little bit and make it more appetizing to the kits. I would also mix a few drops of Karo syrup with the formula since the kit has not been eating much.

You get Goat's Milk at regular grocery stores like Ralph's and Albertson's. Fresh goat's milk is usually found next to the regular milk in the refrigerator section. Look for Meyenberg or any other goat's milk. If you can't find fresh, in the baking section near the condensed/dried milk should be canned goat's milk and/or powder...also made by Meyenberg.

You need to check the mother and make sure she doesn't have mastitis or some kind of blockage. Make sure her mammary tissue is not red, hot to the touch or inflammed. It's not common for a mother to stop producing milk when a kit hits one month old. Generally there is a deeper issue at fault. Mastitis can cause her to chew a large hole in her side so please monitor mom as well as feeding the baby.

 

[addictedtochins]

Would the kit benefit from also having free choice feed as well? I am thinking of that mixture Peggy makes

 

[saphire]

I would also add the dry Jags formula, the kit has already starting nibbling solids. I believe this can only help. My moms have actually enjoyed it eating it also.

1 part powder goats milk
1 part ground pellets
1/2 part baby rice cereal (plain)
1/2 baby oat cereal (plain)

You might just watch that he also gets liquids including your liquid goats milk.

Keep us posted

 

[SmileX3]

Thanks so much guys! You all are so helpful!

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

If you have a Walmart superstore near you, they have the canned goat's milk in the baking area - right next to the evaporated milk

 

[SmileX3]

Is there a way to see if she's producing milk or not? I looked at her nipples and the look dark pink and long. I have no idea what "normal" is supposed to look like. I have the formula mixed and have tried a couple times to feed but only got a few drops down each time. It eats a lot of hay. After reading a bit more on this, I put alfalfa hay in there too (before I was just using timothy). Hopefully this will all work out. I'm going to research this mastitis business and hopefully thats not the case. If there is anything I can do for mama or baby, I'm all ears so please let me know!

 

[greychins]

The main way we've always told is whether the kits are gaining weight. If they're losing weight, yet you see them trying to feed... then chances are there's no milk. I'm not sure there's an actual way to "tell," but maybe someone else can chime in.

Sometimes it takes a couple of feedings for the babies to really understand that what you're giving them is food. How often are you feeding them?

I wouldn't give too much alfalfa hay, because I believe it's too high in protein to be eaten regularly, so you want the kit eating more of the timothy, less of the alfalfa.

Good luck!

 

[RDZCRanch]

Is there a way to see if she's producing milk or not? I looked at her nipples and the look dark pink and long. I have no idea what "normal" is supposed to look like. I have the formula mixed and have tried a couple times to feed but only got a few drops down each time. It eats a lot of hay. After reading a bit more on this, I put alfalfa hay in there too (before I was just using timothy). Hopefully this will all work out. I'm going to research this mastitis business and hopefully thats not the case. If there is anything I can do for mama or baby, I'm all ears so please let me know!

The mammary tissue is the area of her body surrounding the nipple, not the nipple itself. The nipple is dark pink and long because the baby is nursing. Check the area around the nipple for swelling and feel if it is HOT to the touch, not warm but hot to the point that it would be abnormal. If it's not inflammed or hot to the touch, I would check her teeth to see how white/orange/yellow her teeth are. White teeth indicates a calcium deficiency which can happen in nursing mothers that just give too much to their kits.

Alfalfa hay would be good to give to the mother, I would limit how much the kit gets. If the kit is still in with the mother, I would mix 1/2 timothy hay and 1/2 alfalfa in the cage. Also, make sure that the dry formula mix is available to mom and baby in the cage.