Also, their two weeks old tomorrow, is that the time when I can start feeding them less frequently?
I feed them every 3-4 hours now.
Also is it normal for one to be a lot bigger and more developed than the others? Like he opened his eyes about 5 days before the others and he's such a chunk!
And it is not unusual for one to open its eyes much earlier or to be bigger, but we probably need to see more weight gain in the smaller ones. Are all their eyes open now at two weeks?
I am assuming the two smaller ones weigh about 8 ounces apiece now, so they should be drinking 11-12 mL at each feeding based on every four hours. More is fine but less is not okay. So you are not too far off. They need to gain about 4 ounces each in the next week, so close to a half ounce per day.
I am assuming your big guy may already weigh 10-12 ounces, so he should be drinking about 16 mL per feeding every 4 hours. He is also in the ballpark.
Because the little ones are not gaining as fast, they should probably eat every 3 hours ideally. But I like that you go around twice so they can eat more. And you burp and you stimulate.
You said they were constipated with the change in formula. Are you adding the oil and have they pooped?
Just fed them and they are exactly that. Little ones ate 10-15 and the big guy ate 15 or 16 ounces!
And yes the oil helped and they have all pooped since then and all of their eyes are now open as off today!
Also for work, I'm usually gone 4-5 hours but I have someone watching them here at all times to feed them once while I'm gone and make sure they're doing ok.
Hang in there and before you know it they will be able to eat mush on their own!
I'm glad someone is there, otherwise I was going to suggest a schedule that would incorporate feedings around your job hours.
As they grow this week, you will need to up this amount. The rule of thumb is 8 mL for every ounce of body weight. So by the end of the week they should each be drinking an additional 5-6 mL at each feeding on top of the amount they are taking now.
Question on my calico. Is it normal for her to chew on the nipple and eat very slowly oppose to sucking and getting it out at a different pace. I can get her to suck eventually it just takes a long time and about 5 mL in.
Well, she is chewing because she is teething, as Handsome Kitty said, but she should be drinking the amount I quoted you earlier at each feeding, which is about 12 mL.
No she still is, it just takes her a little bit to get her going but she eventually starts sucking. Just fed them again and she went straight to sucking and ate about 15 mL. I also tried to feel the lumps by letting her suck on my finger but I couldnt feel any right now.
Ah, okay, good! I just want her to eat enough to grow! She really needs that minimum at each feeding.
She will get teeth eventually - don't worry! She's chewing because they are coming in. Try to discourage her from chewing the nipple though, because it will break off and she can swallow it.