HELP! First time kitten mom

Hello all.
So it is 2 o'clock in the morning in Texas and I am now a Grandmother to 6 baby kittens. I found a stray cat back in May and brought her into my home. She is the sweetest cat. I soon found out that she is expecting kittens. We fed her and she has had six kittens so far! All came out moving. She cleaned them all off and ate all but one placenta.
I have a couple of questions.
her milk doesn't seem to be coming in? Does it take them a while to get their milk? And the kittens can't seem to find the nipple. Does that just take time? If she doesn't get her milk in do I just bottle feed them with their mama and let her do the rest? I had to touch the babies to get them into a crate because they were in my closet and it's big and I wanted to make sure they would all stay together.
another question is how to keep the kittens warm? I'm worried they will get too cold. Do all the kittens just stick together and keep each other warm or do I need to get a hearing pad? I know how important it is to keep them warm.
And last I had a sheet that the mama had the kittens on, but it's bloody now and wet. How do you get CleAn sheets under them so they don't get cold from the wet??
thank you guys so much. I'm just freaking out [emoji]128547[/emoji][emoji]128547[/emoji][emoji]128547[/emoji]

I meant to ask that after I touched the babies to put them back in the craTe, does that affect how the mom will treat them? She seems to be doing fine, and I think I'm just psychic myself out. Thank you all

catmommy22322 said:

I meant to ask that after I touched the babies to put them back in the craTe, does that affect how the mom will treat them? She seems to be doing fine, and I think I'm just psychic myself out. Thank you all

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Nay, it should be OK   Rabbits are more sensitive for touching of the kids, cats arent as sensitive, unless you overdo totally.   Most breeders and rescuers do weight them kittens every day, for exmple, beginning with immediately  minutes after birth....

catmommy22322 said:

Hello all.
So it is 2 o'clock in the morning in Texas and I am now a Grandmother to 6 baby kittens. I found a stray cat back in May and brought her into my home. She is the sweetest cat. I soon found out that she is expecting kittens. We fed her and she has had six kittens so far! All came out moving. She cleaned them all off and ate all but one placenta.
I have a couple of questions.
her milk doesn't seem to be coming in? Does it take them a while to get their milk? And the kittens can't seem to find the nipple. Does that just take time? If she doesn't get her milk in do I just bottle feed them with their mama and let her do the rest? I had to touch the babies to get them into a crate because they were in my closet and it's big and I wanted to make sure they would all stay together.
another question is how to keep the kittens warm? I'm worried they will get too cold. Do all the kittens just stick together and keep each other warm or do I need to get a hearing pad? I know how important it is to keep them warm.
And last I had a sheet that the mama had the kittens on, but it's bloody now and wet. How do you get CleAn sheets under them so they don't get cold from the wet??
thank you guys so much. I'm just freaking out [emoji]128547[/emoji][emoji]128547[/emoji][emoji]128547[/emoji]

Click to expand...

The milk usually comes in soon enough, its rare it doesnt come in.  BUT its wise and be prepared, to step in if necessary...  Have some kmr in reserve, or goat milk.  RAW goat milk is prob best, if you can get it...  Bottle or a needleless syringe - a needleless syringe is easier in many situations. Feed them tummy down, head up, in the corner of the mouth, cautiously (if with syringe).  Burp afterwards.

You know if they get enough from  momma by weighing them every day )everey 12 hours if in crisis).  Use an electronical scale measuring in grammes, that is easiest so.   Lend one from a neigbour, if so is...

Usually its enough with the mom warming up.  But otherwise, some sort of heat pad on low warmth, is wise.  In a part of their nest, so the kittens can crawl from there if it becomes uncomfortably hot...

You lay a clean sheet nearby, and move the kittens, one after another.

Or have another little nest nearby, and move them...

You will surely find some solution, as long as you are doing everything immediately nearby the mom, so she doenst get stressed.

BTW her not having milk yet, and not helping the kittens to nurse actively - it may be she has one kitten left... Or something. So wathch out...   As long she is fine no troubles, you can see and wait, but if she has troubles, contact your vet.

Good luck!

Thank you so much! You were right, she had 3 more kittens left. Her milk has came in and all the kittens are climbing all over each other trying to get some haha. I am all new to this so sorry for all the questions.
She is doing great being, I am assuming because she was estimated to be so young, a first time mom. I can tell she is so so tired but she has let me love on her (pet her head and be close) I left her some food and water as well as moved her litter box close to the closet.
will having 9 kittens be too much for her or will they all get the food they need? I am a complete worry wart and just wanna make sure everything turns out okay.
Loving this cat community! Thank you StefanZ!

catmommy22322 said:

Thank you so much! You were right, she had 3 more kittens left. Her milk has came in and all the kittens are climbing all over each other trying to get some haha. I am all new to this so sorry for all the questions.
She is doing great being, I am assuming because she was estimated to be so young, a first time mom. I can tell she is so so tired but she has let me love on her (pet her head and be close) I left her some food and water as well as moved her litter box close to the closet.
will having 9 kittens be too much for her or will they all get the food they need? I am a complete worry wart and just wanna make sure everything turns out okay.
Loving this cat community! Thank you StefanZ!

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Wonderful it has developed in a good way.

But that lotsa of kittens is a burden for her.   So you must keep your eyes open, and watch out. Be sharp especielly on the weakest, so they get their share.  Perhaps have some sort of rotation.  some with mom, and the whom had already eaten, sleeping peacefully in their own little extra box lined with fleece furry and a mild heat pad...

Weighting them every day is also wise -  unless your mom is a Super Mom, you will get one or two runts whom have difficulties.

Organizinng everything helps of course.

And get home the gears, including needleless syringe and som kmr or goat milk... Also some glucose sugar /dextrose.  Or white caro syrup.   IF you will not need to stand there panicked and helpless in the middle of the night...

 How is hers overall condition, what food are you giving he?   She does needs first rate nourishment, and will probably need some extra calcium soon.

She seems to be doing good. She let them nurse all night and is just now getting up to use the litter box and eat/drink. I have been feeding her kitten food because she was so underweight when I got her, but I know it won't cut it now. What are some good foods you recommend? I have already went to the store to get syringes and kmr if needed and I'm going to grab a scale as well.
What is a good birth weight as well as how much should they bee gaining a day?
Thank you again!

A good birth weight is 3.5 ounces. The kittens should each gain between 6 and 10 grams a day.

I assume you were able to change the bedding? And the box or area is big enough for mom plus NINE kittens? That's a lot!

As Stefan said, you may have to rotate the kittens on her nipples and supplement the runts. The biggest will root out the smallest.

Please give mom some of the KMR to drink a few times a day. She needs the extra vitamins and minerals. Also, mix a beaten egg into her wet food for extra protein. She needs that too.

Do you need directions for feeding the kittens with the syringe? Tummy down, head up, side of mouth only. Couple of drops, let kitten swallow and breathe, and go again. Runts will need about 2 mL each feeding to start. Feed every 2 hours.

Get the weights and let me know so I can advise on which ones need what. Mark the kittens if you need to tell them apart.

I'll wait to hear from you! You're doing a great job with your new brood, by the way!

catmommy22322

Hello and welcome!!

WOW! 9 babies is near record I'd bet!!

Yes, it will not be possible for mom to nurse them all together, so you are going to need to set up a rotation system very soon, asap.

A small carrier or very small box will do, a heating pad on low, something soft that goes up the sides a bit so one doesn't squirm it's way under the bedding.

You will rotate in groups, the 5 biggest and the 4 smallest together.

Every 2 hours round the clock.

Mom will do the rest, be sure to keep her very well hydrated, fresh water constantly, canned pate food, kmr once a day.

You will likely but not for sure, have to supplement, and you will do this according to daily weights. Daily gains should be greater than 6 grams minimum.

Birth weights I suspect will be quite low as she had so many, so understand the risks for the lowest weighing babies okay? 

You will not be able to bottle feed, they will never go for sucking a bottle when they have momma to nurse from, so you will be using a syringe to feed.

Powdered kmr is best over the premixed cans. 

Take an empty water bottle and make up a batch of maybe 1/3 of the bottle, this way it can be stored in the fridge and easily pulled out and warmed when it's time to feed.

Throw out any premade formula that is not used within 1 1/2 days.

To syringe, you can only put a drop or 2 at the most at a time into babies cheek area, being very cautious of breathing, as you will not want any drop to be inhaled or it will get pneumonia.

Mom will do the pottying, etc herself.

Pictures!

To clarify  the 6 g (0,2OZ)  and  10g (0,3OZ).  The rule of thumb is really 10+ g.   But it is for the average, healthy kitten, born at about 100g (the 3,5OZ mentioned).

Kittens whom are born very smallish, say 70 g,  being so minuscule, will manage of couse less than 10 g.   Perhaps 6 grammes...

Same with very big kittens, on 120´grammes, they will prob  gain more than 10 gram to expect.

Some healthy kittens DO gain more, 20 ggrammes isnt unusual - but its not our demand.  

Also, kittens surviving  recently in crisis, we are happy when they turn around and begin to gain  at least 6 grammes.  If  they do, we know they do have now a good chance for survival.

Hello all! I am sorry it took me so long to reply I have been running around grabbing all the supplies for mama and kittens. I finally got a scale and weighed all the kittens. I have found out which one aren't getting enough milk and the two who are the fatties
I haven't named them yet because I wanted to see their personalities first but I have
White kitten #1: 3.6 ounces
White kitten #2: 3.2 ounces
White kitten #3: 3.4 ounces
White kitten #4: 3.3 ounces
Multi Color: 3.4 ounces
Dark Face: 3.4 ounces
Light Paws: 3.9 ounces
Dark Paws: 3.8 ounces
Little Gray: 2.7 ounces

Little gray is defiantly the smallest and I think he gets pushed out of the way by all his brothers and sisters. I know I'm defiantly going to have to help out with him.
I got KMR and from what I read I make it and warm it up, and feed it from a small syringe, a drop at a time, tummy down,head up, in the side of their mouth, and two drops at a time correct?
I know I'm asking so many questions, I just want to make sure I give every kitten a fighting chance. Thank you all so much for replying!
Also what others should I be worried about or should I just watch and see how their weight goes? I just weighed them all now!
The mama has already ate twice today (A good amount of food!) And I left a good bowl of water as well as KMR for her when she takes her next break.
thank you guys all again!

Here is mama with her newborns last night! She has been awesome with allowing me to handle and help her out with the babies

Nice work!

Those are actually really good weights for such a huge litter!

Yes, you definitely need to feed the little gray kitten starting now. You seem to understand the feeding instructions, and it gets easier with practice.

Wrapping him in a towel and placing him on a table helps to keep him still for feeding. Burp him in the upright position over your shoulder with little pats on his back. Try to get 2 mL in him. Jot down what time you feed each one.

Go ahead and stimulate his behind with a warm, damp cloth or cotton ball after feeding to help him wee and poo. Mom usually does this, but with so many, she will appreciate the help!

Have you set up a rotation system yet with the big ones and small ones as catwoman suggested?

By this time tomorrow, you will know by the second round of weighing, who has not gained weight and needs supplementing, besides the runt, whom you need to feed every two hours right now regardless.

Great advice above

Yes, I agree, GREAT weights for this huge litter!! So they're already off to a good start.

If you start the rotation, leave the 4 smallest with her now. It's hard to pull the rest away, I know, but it's for their own good.

Rather than waiting to see who is getting deprived, you will be on top of it from the start, another excellent start for them.

You don't HAVE to rotate but know that the smallest will not be eating from mom basically at all, they get pushed away from the biggies and give up, napping hungry. This is what catches up to them quickly and causes failure to thrive. So you will be their sole food source.

By the first week they will have their favorite nipples and you will notice the same kittens on the same nipples all the way through their nursing times. 

Cool huh?!

Mom has 4 very good milk supplies, the others are small, much less milk in them, but with 9 babies I think rotating is the best option, continuing to monitor their weight gains, etc.

Oh and in the first week you will also see that one or more of the bigger ones falls behind in weight, so it can change at any time too.

They are just darling!

I have started the rotation! I keep the 3 gray kitties and multicolor by themselves, besides little gray, over by mamas head so she won't get upset while all four white klittens and little gray can each have their own nipple. Little gray did so good eating. I am still trying to get feeding him with the syringe down because I can tell he defiantly needs extra, he is so small compared to all of them, especially the two biggest kittens, who I call "The Tigers" because they have what I call tiger stripes on their face. And they love to push their siblings out the way to get to their food...ah well. The rotating is working very well on making sure everyone gets their fair share

 I was curious any tricks on how to get the syrige just right in the cheek? It seems like every time I get it in for little gray, it just slips out. I think I might just be psyching myself. I don't want to give him too much at once and cause something bad to happen.

Mama is doing so freaking good, I am impressed. She has taken to being a mother so well! She cuddles with the babies and when they are feeding, she purrs like a motor boat. Besides giving her some KMR, egg over kitten chow as well as wet kitten food (I got all high quality for her!), are their any other things I can add that will help with her milk or is that about it? Just want to make sure I am doing everything right.

Once again, Thank you all! I know I ask some questions over and over so I appreciate you all helping.

You know as long as mom is able to feed both groups and makes enough milk for them you really don't need to stress on supplementing so much, as long as you can see a weight gain daily.

Sometimes moms are just engorged with plenty, some not so much. But it's when you are not rotating them, and you hear crying going on, and lack of weight gains, then you know she is able to handle them all.

It's iffy though, but some actually can provide enough. We will just watch and see with rotating them.

I feel that every day the supplementing is delayed, the easier it will be to do without getting any inhaled. It's pretty tricky when newborn, and we don't want anything to happen of course.

Even if the rotation is working smoothly for a few days or a week, then all the better, since they will double their birth weight the first week or so, which makes it alot easier and a bit less of a risk to supplement, they are so tiny now.

Every 2 hours okay? Including during the night the first week, then if all is fine we can move it to every 3 hours during the night so that helps a little bit too.

No, good quality foods, canned especially helps as it is about 80% water, water water water, in all forms is good. Good foods, once a day kmr (otherwise she will get diarrhea) and she will do fine with producing good milk.

So it's great you are doing the rotation and you have an excellent mama kitty who is really tolerating non-stop nursing.

What catwoman is saying is that if they are gaining weight on the rotation, you may not have to supplement. Supplementing is a good thing, and we think the runt needs it, but if it is difficult for you, it is better for the babies to nurse mom in rotation rather than risk inhaling formula into the lungs, which is a death sentence (instant pneumonia).

But, with that being said, the runt or one or more babies MAY need supplementing. Again, I think we will know more when they are weighed tomorrow. It may be that you will need to supplement one or more tomorrow.

If you're having a hard time with it tonight, leave it until tomorrow when we know more, but you HAVE to rotate the babies during the night, every two hours, and make sure each one is latched and nursing well. If they are gaining weight through rotating, you can switch to rotating them every 3 hours in one week.

I think we will have the answer tomorrow when you weigh them. If you need to supplement, you will quickly get the hang of it after a time or two. It's easier than you think, but you do have to be careful. Perhaps you have even mastered it tonight!

We will touch base tomorrow, and hoping your night of rotating babies goes well!

Please ask questions if you need to! We admire the job you are doing. No question is silly! Who has nine kittens at once? This is highly unusual!

How are mom and kittens today? How are YOU holding up?

Let us know the weights when you have them today.

Hello all! Sorry it took me a while to respond, we have had a long night!
The rotating is going, but I was curious, how long do I let each group feed exactly? I want to make sure everyone gets a good amount of food. I usually wait until the kitten themselves pull off the nipple but when I move them over for the next group, they start whining to be fed again. I have learned that every one has a certain nipple or place (such as top nipple or bottom nipple and of course little gray of course like the nipple by the arms with the least amount of milk. [emoji]128529[/emoji] I have tried putting him on other nipples but he goes right back. is there anything I can do to get him to go to another nipple? I have tried waiting when one of the other kittens got other nipple going but even then he won't have anything to do with other nipples!
Little gray still looks very small so I might try feeding again. I'm petrified that I'm going to do it wrong, but I know I got to get over it for little gray.
I also was wondering, I have two kittens who would start breathing hard with their mouth open for 3-4 seconds about 3 times. They haven't done it again and seem to be fine. I don't know if it was because they were hungry (mama had left the box to get food and take a break).
Thank you guys again! I'm gonna weigh them next break the mama takes!

Hand reared kittens are usually fed every 1-2 hours depending on size.  I think if you switch groups ever hour and leave them there for an hour that migh be good.  Not much sleep for you though.