Newborn kittens don't gain weight the first 24 hours?

She was 77 this morning, was born at 85

And it's weird because since she was born she was the one that was always attached to a nipple, and still is very feisty.

I don't like to disagree with Catwoman707 but I really do feel that this kitten should be supplemented.  It sounds like it is the runt and that is a rather low weight for even a newborn. Is it possible he or she is by the nipple but not actually latched on?

tulosai said:

 
I don't like to disagree with Catwoman707 but I really do feel that this kitten should be supplemented.  It sounds like it is the runt and that is a rather low weight for even a newborn. Is it possible he or she is by the nipple but not actually latched on?

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I have no problem with disagreeing, never any hard feelings!! We are all here to offer our best advice, it may not always be the same, and that is a-okay too ) Everyone has their own experiences and ways to do things, that's a good thing actually! Variety

Okay so here's my opinion on supplementing anyone.

When there is a nice adequate supply of milk, and the problem is not getting shoved off so they need some rotating as I posted above, but due to unknown lack of thriving already, supplementing this kitten is forcing it to make it basically.

It's a very sensitive issue here, a fine line between what is right and what shouldn't be.

I've been where you are, I promise. I know how extremely hard it is to accept what nature intends. There are def. times when supplementing is surely the way to go, get a baby over a temp slump, whether it be from a runt who is not getting enough and it's impossible to rotate for some reason, or a bottle fed only baby who hits that 2-3 week mark and suddenly starts a downhill slope, I feel the same.

However, you're talking about a 2 day old baby here, who has moms milk at her disposal, right there for her, and she is not staying interested.

My instincts tell me that while you might be able to keep her going for a while by supplementing, but when a newborn baby lacks their own will, this is a big problem. There's something more here that we cannot see or know.

Mom will, given a bit of time for her to get completely familiar with each of her kids, she will know. I have had moms prove this to me time after time. I finally understand, it means something is wrong. Heart, organs, brain function, who knows, but something is wrong.

I remember one of my learning experiences with a similar situation, I basically forced a baby to live, she did, she was very behind in growing and developing, I couldn't get her to reach 2 lbs to be spayed until she was nearly 5 months old. She was a loner, rather than play with her siblings she would nap and hang on my lap all the time, very low keyed.

She ended up passing away at under 8 months old, due to a heart defect. 

It's just an example, and just my own thoughts here, but a 2 day old baby who is not interested in nursing is not a good sign.

BTW, is she the one in the middle? So much smaller, I see. So darn cute they are!

No yea she's definitely latched on but what I have noticed is that none of the kittens really like the middle nipple and that's the one she's on most of the time so I'm trying to switch her to a different one and see if that makes a difference. [emoji]128547[/emoji]

It does occur that one or more don't put it out like some of the others do, and if that's the case, then rotation might be needed so she can use a better one.

That is unless she is deciding that particular one is her fave!

catwoman707 said:

It's just an example, and just my own thoughts here, but a 2 day old baby who is not interested in nursing is not a good sign.

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This unfortunately I also do agree with and have experience with. I would probably still try but I only have one litter at a time so my scope and my experiences are different than yours. 

Ohh.. I see.. It's very hard to accept, but I completely understand now. I will let nature take its course then.. Poor little baby, she is one of my favorites, so little yet so feisty. Yes she's the one in the middle.. Hopefully the rest of the kittens will pull through ok they are so tiny..

And yep, I will take her off that nipple but she keeps going back it

Guys once again thank you so much for everything, I called the vet and they said that since she is showing interest in the milk, it could be that the nipple she's chosen is not feeding her as much as she should be eating to grow. They said to try bottle or syringe feeding and see if that changes anything. If it doesn't I will resign myself, I just can't give up on her just yet. I will keep you updated as always.

I would do the same, no worries.

Please do keep us updated!

If at all possible, if you can get her off that particular nipple and nurse from another, that will work alot better, simply because she is going to give you hell trying to put something in her besides momma! lol

Let us know

Hi guys! Just a quick update; I took the kittens to be checked out on Saturday and the vet agreed with catwoman, said they are such low weights because it is such a big litter and the cat was malnutritioned to begin with. Since then she had us switch her to hills ideal balance for kittens and we are also giving her some good quality canned food. The happy news!! As of this morning the little one has gone from 76g to 93! The ones that were 85 are now a little over a hundred and the ones that were in the 110s are now over 130. She also advised me to only weigh them every 3-4 days so ill be posting their updates then. You were right all along catwoman!

Okay cut it out now, you're making me blush! haha jk

Excellent, perfect news update!!  Makes me wanna do the happy dance        

How did it go? I know this thread is a couple of years old now but I'm
In pretty much exactly the same situation with our 4 newborns not quite 48hrs old yet, all latched on or sleeping all the time... Only one gaining weight so far... Hope all yours made it! Just tried supplementing the 2 smallest - maybe it's mommas food?? She's on great kitten food though and bits of KMR... Will never give up on any of them xxx