Which one is better syringe feeding or bottle feeding?

Which one is better syringe feeding or bottle feeding for  a 1 week old kitten? I just ordered a feeding bottle for kittens and waiting for it to be delivered. Right now I am syringe feeding her. I found a more comfortable position for her that she likes, I am placing her on top of her bigger sibling with her tummy down and heads up same position the way she nurse to her mother, But instead of placing the syringe on side of her mouth she likes it to be placed in the middle and suckles it like her mother's nipple she enjoyed it and I am pushing the milk formula as little bit as possible I am just worried that it could be dangerous, Am I doing it right or just feed her with feeding bottle?

werra said:

 
Which one is better syringe feeding or bottle feeding for  a 1 week old kitten? I just ordered a feeding bottle for kittens and waiting for it to be delivered. Right now I am syringe feeding her. I found a more comfortable position for her that she likes, I am placing her on top of her bigger sibling with her tummy down and heads up same position the way she nurse to her mother, But instead of placing the syringe on side of her mouth she likes it to be placed in the middle and suckles it like her mother's nipple she enjoyed it and I am pushing the milk formula as little bit as possible I am just worried that it could be dangerous, Am I doing it right or just feed her with feeding bottle?

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A nice solution you found!  Theoretically, syringe from the side is safer, but as you push just slowly and carefully, no spraying into the throat, AND she is herself swallowing actively, it shouldnt be any trouble with it.    Its when they are weak and dont swallow actively, when it becomes tricky, and you must be super careful.  And also the occasion where syringe has a big advantage over bottle.   Another example is kittens with deformities of hole in the palpate - mouth roof.  They cant suckle, but can sometimes be saved by syringe feeding, and some Gods help of course.

The big advantage with bottle will be later on, when they take bigger dosage.   As for now, you can continue with the syringe, as it works so nicely for you, if you want.

But exactly the same postion should work with the bottle.  You can try with wrapping the bottle in fleece, it makes it somewhat more nice for them.  Try as you had already ordered the bottle, but if bottle doesnt work, use the syringe. 

Good luck!

Thanks for the help can you help me with the other thread I created http://www.thecatsite.com/t/291052/need-help-with-my-runt-kitten

werra said:

 
Thanks for the help can you help me with the other thread I created http://www.thecatsite.com/t/291052/need-help-with-my-runt-kitten

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I did read this thread.   I give some comments, as you did asked these question in the now closed thread.

You did everything right. Goat milk as addition to moms milk, glucose, keeping her warm and cozy, and also warming up, giving love and your time, everything.

But it goes often so with mini-kittens.  (im not sure she was the classical runt, I think she was such a mini-kitten).  Some organ isnt robust enough, in the beginning it may work, but  when they should grew into this organ - it doesnt manage the now bigger body and higher demands - and the collapse comes, often in just hours.  Exactly like here.    The end may come almost anytime, after a week. At three weeks, at three months, and when they are almost grown up, at about one year, are the  common  stoppers.

  Even a good vet wouldnt  help here.

Yet its proper to fight for the mini-kittens too.  Sometimes they DO make it into adulthood, and being fully adult and all organs working properly, they can live many years of good life.

You did everything right, and thus, this kittens soul can rest in peace.   RIP little one.

Take care now of yourself, and the five kittens alive, and their mom.

Good luck!

Depends on what the kitten it comfortable with, at 1 week syringe feeding may be better since the kitten may have trouble voluntarily drinking from a bottle, but it's definitely worth trying, and using when the kitten is a bit older! I used a bottle for Asia (she was around 3 weeks) and it worked very well! I didn't try using a syringe but a bottle is definitely more practical when the kitten is older and drinking more. If the kitten accepts the bottle it is actually very easy to feed that way

Definitely syringe feeding! Newborn kittens can suck to hard and depending on the nipple size aspirate. You have much more control over a syringe. The first two weeks a 1ml works best, some of the larger ones can allow aspiration too. You also have those kittens that wont suck too, this allows you to give them a drop at a time. Don't forget to hold the kitten properly, burp them and then stimulate them. Stimulate the kitten both before and after feeding making sure they have released all urine and/or feces.