Advice and how to help mom start producing more milk

Almost 4 ounces. That's not bad, but yes, to know how much is gained each day is the way to go! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

She was up to 116/117 (the scale bounced between those two because she kept moving around) grams this morning . It seems like she is growing well. Her ears are not flat against her head anymore, however the umbilical cord is still attached and I read that normally falls off around day 3, so that's probably coming soon. Mom is eating her wet food meals outside the kennel now while I hold baby. She's very trusting and will let me pet her even while she's eating and absolutely loves being held. She's still aggressive when I take baby out, but I can't blame her for that and I think she will adjust to life with a family beautifully. 

If she went from 116 to 113, that's a loss. Kittens should gain 6-10 grams daily. If she's not, you'll need to supplement. Mom sounds very sweet indeed. Sounds like she'll make a terrific house cat for someone. Perhaps you'll be able to find a home for them together. Moms with only kittens tend to have close bonds. They'll do better together! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

No, she was at 113 last night and 116 this morning, so she gained! 

And, I am still offering her the supplement when I get her out to check on her, she takes a little bit but isn't very interested anymore but I want her to have the option as another way of monitoring her intake. Most of it is coming from mom now. I can try for a home together, I have several people interested but at this point I have a while to go so I'll just see how it plans out. With the pictures, my mom is wavering so they will most likely be able to stay with me until she is old enough to go to a home. 

3 grams isn't enough, so she should still be supplemented. 1-3ml every 2 hours. Are you trying to give a bottle or a needleless syringe?

Edit - just saw it was only over night! Let us know how much she gains in a 24 hour period. She sounds like she's doing well.

Awww. Your mom is wavering. I love it. I have a daughter in college, so I can identify. So sorry - I didn't look at the time on your post - my bad!

The gain is good, and I'm glad you're offering the extra if she wants it. It does sound like she's getting enough from mom though.

Yep, you are weeks away from re-homing. Maybe they can stay in your bedroom with you when you go home. My daughter is done with finals end of next week. How about you?

Next week is "dead week" for us and the week after that is finals. I have a horse show starting that Saturday so it will be a mad dash to get everyone settled after my last final on Friday but I'll be home from the 13th on. I don't know if she will let me keep them in the bedroom, but I am pushing for the basement (it's finished, temperature controlled and nice. My chinchillas live down there (different area from where I would have the cats) so that's my play for right now. However, I think that once she meets them it won't take long until they are up with everyone else. But having a nice room set up for them downstairs will be fine since I can spend time with them down there as well. 

Ah, sounds like a fantastic plan! You stay busy with school, your job, and your horse! Will horse go home with you for the summer?

I actually have three horses, lol. Two of them, the younger two, will go home with me. They go wherever I go. My first horse that I've had for ten years is 29 now and lives at my best friend's mom's house just outside of the college town with her older pony. Travel is very stressful for him and it's the perfect retirement home so he's staying . And, yes, I stay busy but I love what I do so it's worth it. 

In less than 24 hours, Lux went from 113 grams to 130 grams, so she's definitely gaining. My best friend who saw her a day before was shocked at the growth. I've been watching it happen so I'm not as surprised. The umbilical cord fell off and I'm confident that baby is doing well. I'm concerned about mom's sanity, though. I have working it into my schedule to leave her kennel door open for at least several hours a day to try to let her come out and stretch her legs, play, etc. If I set food wet food (she has access to quality dry all the time) outside the cage, she eats that, maybe looks around for a minute or two, and then goes back into the nest. I live in a studio apartment so I can't really get out of her way more than I already am (on the bed around the corner working on the computer/being quiet.) She's not acting stressed or anxious, unless I reach for baby, but I don't want her muscles to get weak or for her to lack the mental stimulation she needs. I bought her a few toys and she's not interested in those. The thing is that she seems very content just sitting in the nest with her baby. The times she has come out, I have been holding Lux. Should I just keep doing what I'm doing and let her work this out on her own? I've been trying to handle the baby less because I was so involved in the beginning (had to be to bottle feed) but now I feel like I should let them have their time together. In the kennel, she has the nest, food and water, a litter box, a hanging toy and a scratcher that it looks like she may have used a few times. I can't let her loose when I'm not home because of my dog (whom I can't kennel because of anxiety and self harm) so this is the best I can do for her right now, and if she would take the time I'm giving her, I would think that she would be fine. It's just a matter of convincing her of that. 

I think continuing as you are doing is best. If you had a one-bedroom you could take your dog in with you at night and close the door, and the cat could feel safe to come out and explore. As it stands, I don't see there are any other alternatives. I think when her kitten is big enough to explore that she will be out then. Most cats do stay in or near the nest the first 3 weeks, so it's not unusual. My cat had an entire week where she never left the bedroom at all when she had her kittens, even though she was welcome to. Things sound pretty good overall! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

They are going well! My dog sleeps in bed with me at night and does not jump off the furniture, ever. She's not a danger to the kitties at all. My fear is her getting swatted at. She's actually smaller than Maya (mom), so I could leave the door open at night. My concern with that is if Lux got cold and cried and I didn't hear her/mom didn't go back to her. Is that totally unreasonable? I'm still very shaken from losing the other babies so that is definitely coming into play. 

I just reread that and the though process made more sense than the writing. Basically, there is no reason that I couldn't leave the door open at night other than my concerns for the baby. 

I would provide a heat source for baby and give mom the option for more space. Sounds like all is well.

Everything is going well, although I have another concern. I have been doing more reading and worried about worms. I saw that there are some safe dewormers for nursing mothers and kittens, but I want to get them started on those soon if that info is correct. Should I take mom to the vet and get her tested for them? I don't want my dog exposed if that is a risk. 

If there are no issues right now, I would wait and have mom de-wormed when she is spayed and vaccinated when the kittens are 8 weeks old. Kittens get wormed and first shots at 8 weeks also. If your dog is up to date on vaccines and worming, he should be fine. [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Just wanted to update you guys on the kitties: they are both doing well! Lux's eyes are starting to open and she currently weighs 213 grams. She's been gaining 10+ grams every day and is back to nursing completely off of mom. Maya is still very protective and goes after me when I try to clean the kennel/get the baby out to weight her. She is a lot calmer when I put her in the travel crate (which I only do in order to clean their area and take care of Lux, getting mom out of the way keeps everyone safer. She has free range of about half of the apartment at night now and I have heard the bells going on a few of the toys I set out so I think she's getting exercise, although she still chooses to spend most of her time with the baby. 

Aww ... I'm so glad to hear that mom and baby are doing well, and that mom is getting out to play and explore in the apartment at night. Post a new picture when you can! [emoji]128149[/emoji]

I have photos, I just have to get them off of my phone. Lux's eyes are open now, I'm a bit concerned. They are very dark, like a charcoal gray almost. I read that kittens eyes are blue at first. Could that indicate a problem?