New mommy and newborn kitten care!

Hello everyone! My beautiful cat, Jill, has just had her very first litter of three even more beautiful kittens! To say the least, I am scared to death! Lol I don't want to do anything wrong for these babies but I have a few questions and would appreciate it if someone could help guide me through this wonderful experience. Jill had her babies at 6 am today and she didn't have them in any of the few places we were expecting. My main question is, can I move them to a better location or will that disrupt her and the babies? It looks as though the kittens aren't really latching on to a nipple, so I worry that they aren't even eating!?! What do I do?!!? Will me moving them or touching them (I've not touched them at all at this point) cause any problems?? I just want to make sure that they are getting to feed but I am keeping my distance so that I don't upset mommy! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance [emoji]128571[/emoji][emoji]128571[/emoji]

Tara Lynn

She may be done.  The uterus will take a few days to shrink back down.  That could be what you are feeling.  Some cats do deliver kittens hours apart or even a day apart.  If she isn't in distress don't worry.  Some bleeding is normal.  Lots of blood is bad.

Right now the kittens not latching is more of a problem than location.  Has Jill's milk come in?  Can you help the kittens find a nipple and hold them until they latch on.  Jill will trust you to hold her kittens a little bit.  If the kittens are not latching on you will need to supplement them.  Do you have Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) Pet AG powder form is recommended or Goats milk?  You will also need a small needless syringe 1 -2 ml/cc.  KMR can be found at pet stores, vets or walmart.  They syringe from a pharmacy.  You will also want to get a scale that measures in grams or ounces w/decimal points.

Jill and the Kittens can be moved to a safer place.  Put them in the nest and move it to a quiet dark out of the way place.  She will want her litter box, food wet and dry and water nearby.

After you have the supplies, assuming you need them, to feed the kittens.

Step 1 weigh the kitten in front of Jill.  Do not take them out of her sight. write the weight down

Step 2 Mix the KMR w/warm water and keep; it warm.  The kittens cannot digest cold food or food when they are cold.

Step 3 Hold the kitten belly down head up like they are when feeding from mom.  Do NOT hold the kitten on it's back..

Step4 Put a drop or two in the side of the kittens mouth, let the kitten swallow, breath, then repeat. 

After the kitten is done eating  1-2 mls it will need to be burped.

Put the kitten back with Jill and watch to see if she helps the kitten to pee and poop by cleaning her bottom.

You may only need to supplement the kittens for a day or so. 

Jill will need lots of food.  She can also have a small dish of the KMR.  Kitten food is good for Jill right now as the kittens need extra nutrients.

Other forumist will add more instructions as well.

Keep us updated.  Ask any questions you have.

Is the mom taking care of them?

Her not nursing may be a hint she isnt really done yet.  As its quite rare they dont get milk. although sometimes  the milk comes flowing a couple of hours after the deliver.

If they are OK in the place they are now, and mom takes care of them, you can let them be.

But if it would be necessary, you can move them too, as long its nothing scary for them mom.

Most breeders and many rescuers do weight the kittens soon after delivery, so touching the kittens isnt nothing forbidden, as long you do it respectflully to the mom.

Although its also wise not to disturb the new mom and her new kittens...  And handle them only what you must.

So, yes, its a little of a dilemma...

It kind of depends on the place she gave birth. If it's in a safe location (meaning, there is no immediate danger to her and her babies) I would leave her for at least a couple of days before you move them. Specially new moms need to adjust to the idea of having babies, and you moving them might upset her. She needs to remain as comfortable as possible.

How long ago were the kittens born? For me, our kittens already drink even before mom is done giving birth to the rest of her kittens. Are the kittens active and moving, looking for a nipple? You can try helping them by putting some of the hair of mom's belly aside and putting the kitten near the nipple. It should start searching and latch on if it can by itself eventually (this can take several minutes). If it does not search, or really can't latch on, you will need to feed them yourself as said above me.

If they are freshly born, it might be that they are tired and still a bit in a daze. As it's now nearly one hour after your post, the tired and dazed feeling should have worn off and they should be drinking by themselves now. If not, help them find the nipple (specially the first 48 hours, mom's milk gives a good boost and should be preferred over any other milk), and if that doesn't help feed them yourself asap. They can not go without milk for very long.

Oh, and as StefanZ said, weight them, and weight them again on the same moment the next day, every day until around 2 weeks old. Longer is fine, but the first few weeks are very important. They should gain around 10-15 grams a day, but a little less is okay too. Just make sure they are growing.

Wow, thanks so much for all the comments! They were all very helpful. I did move them to the large walk-in closet in my room. They were in front of the window and I felt like she and the kittens would be much more comfortable in the closet where she had spent the majority of the time before actually giving birth. They all look so happy and comfortable, and seem to be doing great!! Thanks again for all of the advice. It is nice to know I have a community of fellow cat lovers here to help!
Sincerely,
Tara Lynn (happy grandma, as my 15 yr old says lol) [emoji]128570[/emoji][emoji]128571[/emoji]