Young cat just went into labor help please

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mommyofsimba

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How do I prevent the mommy from laying on her babies. She got up to reposition herself and one cried because I think she hurt it by accident. Also does anyone know where to buy a scale to weigh them to keep count. 3 orange 2 black.
 

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Walmart is good for an inexpensive scale.  Or Target.  It doesn't need to be fancy.  Make sure it weighs in grams or 1/10 of an ounce.  A digital scale is easier to read.

You should pick up a small syringe as well.  1 - 2 ml/cc.  Nursing kittens rarely take a bottle.

Is the nest big enough for mom to lay down without laying on the kittens?  She may need a bigger space.  Keep watch, she can squish the kittens.
 

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First of all, they are not going to starve to death in a short time, there is not much you need to be doing, they will get their warmth from mom too.

You will drive yourself crazy if you watch every move they or she makes, just relax, nature has a way and it's worked for many, many years :)

Having 5, just know that the smallest one is likely going to need your help with supplementing, because it will not be allowed to nurse off of the best lower nipples, and they tend to get pushed away over and over, then give up and nap, then repeats, this goes on long enough that the smallest is unable to thrive and ends up dying.

But not needed if you are aware and prepared.
 

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Do not feed the babies yet!

Let mom do her job first. They will root around and figure out how to latch.

If you think one is not latching at all, it might need supplementing to get strong enough to latch. If that happens let us know and we will tell you how to feed the kitten.

It sounds like you've done a fantastic job of helping! Be proud of yourself :).
 
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mommyofsimba

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Walmart is good for an inexpensive scale.  Or Target.  It doesn't need to be fancy.  Make sure it weighs in grams or 1/10 of an ounce.  A digital scale is easier to read.

You should pick up a small syringe as well.  1 - 2 ml/cc.  Nursing kittens rarely take a bottle.

Is the nest big enough for mom to lay down without laying on the kittens?  She may need a bigger space.  Keep watch, she can squish the kittens.
Hi yes it's an actual draw from my dresser drawers I thought it might be to big. She has room but is staying in a corner.

I put water and food next to it and 2 to 3 feet away is litter box everything moved by her.

Okay I will get a scale from there. Thank you so much
 
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mommyofsimba

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First of all, they are not going to starve to death in a short time, there is not much you need to be doing, they will get their warmth from mom too.
You will drive yourself crazy if you watch every move they or she makes, just relax, nature has a way and it's worked for many, many years :)

Having 5, just know that the smallest one is likely going to need your help with supplementing, because it will not be allowed to nurse off of the best lower nipples, and they tend to get pushed away over and over, then give up and nap, then repeats, this goes on long enough that the smallest is unable to thrive and ends up dying.
But not needed if you are aware and prepared.
Hi okay I never felt like fainting like I did before. I worked myself up. I thought atleast a week more.
The last 2 Are the small blacks. The 3 orange were first. When the 4th and 5th came she cleaned them but not as good as the others.

They seem to be quiet a little whimper here and there. I bought the syringe also. Didn't use it yet. When should I step in when the next feeding happens if the others latch on. She is a petite cat I am awe that she had 5 for first litter.
 
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Do not feed the babies yet!

Let mom do her job first. They will root around and figure out how to latch.

If you think one is not latching at all, it might need supplementing to get strong enough to latch. If that happens let us know and we will tell you how to feed the kitten.

It sounds like you've done a fantastic job of helping! Be proud of yourself :).
Thank you okay I will let you know. It means alot. Would me stepping in be the next feeding when they cry again or if one or 2 crying and not latching should I use syringe or nipple bottle I bought both. Her upper nipples don't seem producing milk. I hope her lower ones are. The babies are not crying so hopefully they did get fed. I'll post a picture.
 

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We will let you know if/when it's time to supplement, the first full day you will be basically observing each one and their size, behavior, and who nurses where, since they quickly find and keep their same nipple throughout the nursing weeks. Cool huh?!

So you are going to see best at a distance for now.
 

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You will see them latched on for most of the time with mom, but are not actually nursing, this is their bonding time and nurturing from mom, their security.

You might hear squeaks here and there but won't hear actual crying unless mom were to leave them for a bit.
 
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You will see them latched on for most of the time with mom, but are not actually nursing, this is their bonding time and nurturing from mom, their security.
You might hear squeaks here and there but won't hear actual crying unless mom were to leave them for a bit.
I posted a picture. My only concern is the tiniest one the black he is latched on but the bigger orange babies are on him I don't want him to be suffocated. I moved them gently but he is latched on so I'm hoping he's ok. Simba is sleeping I'm so proud of her.
 
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The tiniest one is under everyone Iover gently but they seem to be sleeping and all latched. My concern is how do I know they are all getting fed because I don't think all her nipples are secreting milk. I do have the newborn powder already made and syringes ans nipple bottles handy. When do I know to step in. Also I know they are close to Simba but any tips to keep warm. I am looking for my electric heating pad. Any other tips. Thank you all in advance.
 

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If you have a scale. weighing the kittens is the best way to determine if they are gaining enough weight.  the minimum weight gain to look for is 6-10 grams or .2 - .4 ounces. 

Even if the tiny one is on the bottom, if he is latched on and everyone else has a nipple he may be fine.  The kittens usually pick a nipple and stay on that one.
 

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Read Catwoman's last post. Do not do anything the first 24 hours except observe. Do not feed the babies yet.

Get the scale and get their weights. Then let us know. The weights are what determine if they need supplementing. Her nipples will all get milk if they are being used. Be patient!

I also said if you need to supplement we will explain how.
 

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The babies can't suffocate when piled together or on top of each other, it's how they do it.

They are getting plenty of heat from mom, if you put a heating pad under them then you will risk mom overheating and not wanting to be there which means leaving the babes alone, so not to worry, this is how they keep plenty warm :)

Yes, as the nipples are producing colostrum now, they are being stimulated to produce milk, it takes a bit for it to turn in to milk.
 
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Thank you so much. I did everything and she gave birth to 5 babies. She didn't cut her cord I cut the cord but not as close as I should of. Do I recut or wait. She is not producing milk in all her nipples I think just 4 and there are 5. So 1 always gets left out but I put gloves on and try to place them when they cry. Now that she has given birth and it's been about 5 hours. She did get up around 830pm to eat and then now to drink water at 1130pm. The babies did cry. I notice the runt is wobbly and very tiny. I'm praying he makes it through the night. I do have the bottle newborn and a syringe haven't used it yet.


My question is when they all latch on to a nipple how do I know they are getting milk out of them. They do stop crying but is it because the runt or any of them are just weak or are they fed. Maybe I am stimulating the nipples wrong that aren't producing milk.

I am so worried I haven't left there side. I want all of them especially the runt to survive.

Can they be close to Simba without latching on a nipple and just snuggle to next feeding or newborns sleep with nipple. They are quiet right now. 2 orange babies are kind of fighting over 1 nipple. I just don't know when it's my place to intercede. I don't know if I'm over worrying.

Please any advise thank you
 
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First step, calm down. Feline labor by comparison to what human women have to deal with is easier, less painful, and much less risky. What's more, your cat can pick up on your stress and become stressed herself, which we don't want.

Labor process is unpredictable, it could be hours or minutes before the show really gets going. The first kitten usually takes the longest, the remainder will come fairly quickly afterwards.

Make sure that the space your cat is in is warm, quiet, and free from anything the mother might perceive as a threat to the newborn. I'm not kidding about the warmth, kittens can't regulate body heat very effectively at this stage. If the room temperature is comfortable for you, its probably at least a little too cold to be ideal (having the place at normal room temperature is probably fine, this is just added help)

The mother will probably bite or tear off the umbilical herself, if she doesn't cut it relatively close to the kitten. Be prepared to deal with any bleeding by tying off the stem somehow.

If the mother will let you, you can check for milk by massaging a teat.

Each kitten has its own placenta, which will be delivered separately and in an unpredictable pattern. Try to keep track of the number of placentas vs the number of kittens

The mother will want to clean the newborns by licking them, let her. Kittens should be moving and breathing within seconds of this treatment . If not, do not allow the umbilical to be severed, and see if there's any kind of airway blockage. Rubbing a kitten with a towel can help jumpstart breathing.

She will probably also attempt to eat the placentas, let her do that too. She may begin feeding milk right away, or wait until the rest of the litter is born.

Concerning stillborns. It can happen, and if it does you almost certainly not to blame in the slightest, the best that can be done is minimize the chances. If it does happen, focus on the living creatures before you that you can still aid.

Thank you I replied in previous thread I'm new first day so I don't know how to reply directly to you on thread
 
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You don't need gloves.  You can use dental floss to tie the umbilical cord and can use your nails or blunt scissors to cut it.  It only needs to be an inch long from the kitten.  The mom will nurse the kittens after all have been born, so far they should be fine.

I have a feeling this isn't her first litter.  You're doing fine so far.
I didn't cut as close as I should of. What do I do please?
 
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Also, I'm guessing the milk you bought from the supermarket is catsip? That is a treat food and won't sustain kittens if you ever need to feed them. The milk you need is KMR and can be found at Walmart, along with many other places.

Hi yes I went to petco and got it but haven't used it yet. Any signs when to have to use it please
 
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