mommy cat had 1 baby... now what?

Hi everyone... we adopeted a "stray" and found out that she was pg when we took her to be altered. We decided to keep the kitten(s) and reschedule.
Anyway, I knew delivery was imminent yesterday, and woke up this AM to find one tiny kitten with mama. Mama cat has been purring non-stop all day.
Okay, my ? is.... I haven't seen the kitten try to nurse. I have held him to her nipple, kind of moved the nipple around the outside of his mouth, but he won't even open his mouth. I found the kitten at about 9am, and I know Mama was sleeping with me until about 2:30am...
SHouldn't he be nursing? How often? Are there any "tricks" to get him interested? He seems to just be constantly sleeping.
Mama cat seems to be great with him... snuggling with him, licking him, and being a *little* possessive, but not too much.
I don't want to interfere too much, but I don't want to miss something either.
Thanks!!
Catherine

I would intervene and quickly. Start bottle feeding the youngster, either you need KMR or Hartz Company Kitten Milk Replacer. Feed the baby every two hours www.kitten-rescue.com will help guide your way. It is possible mom isn't done having kittens, but the baby needs food. Mom's purring should be guiding the little one to her nipples and if he isn't moving, then you need to intervene.

While I agree totally with Hissy, your post brings additional questions .. was this kitten wet or dry when you found her? Is Momma at all damp around any of her nipples? You will see the fur around Momma's nipples become damp and somewhat matted with her milk if the kitten is actively nursing. Neonates should be attached to Momma for a few moments of actual nursing many times throughout the day, but many will simply fall asleep and fall off the nipple once they are full. Keep a very close eye on her and if she hasn't begun nursing or if you notice Momma shoving her away, not grooming her or if she seems cold to you, begin supplementing ASAP and if you can't get her to take a bottle, get her in to the vet for emergency intervention.

okay, when I found them in my attic this AM (we have walk in style and one of the kids must've left the door open) at about 9:30, they were in an old baby bassinet, the kitten was dry and the "birth fluids" on the fabric were dry. So, the kitten was born sometime between 3am and 9am. (So much for the "queening box" I made for them!!).
There are no obvious signs of nursing... no wet or matted hair around the nipples. I tried to "express" some milk from a nipple, and then put the kitten to that, but he wouldn't open his mouth. The mother cat's milk is in, I believe.. she feels "full".
I went to Wal-Mart (closest thing to me, our vet is almost 40 min. away) and got the liquid Heinz Kitten Replacement Formula. I have a small syringe and I gave him about .06 ml (just a few drops, really). He did squirm and cry out a couple of times, so that's a good sign, I think.
I am a mother of 3, so I know it can be hard to "get" nursing, but I really want to save this little guy!! I guess I'll try feeding him every 2hrs, and also trying to get him to nurse from mama cat as well.
Any other insight?
THANKS SO MUCH!! I am SOOOOO glad I found this board!!
Catherine

How did Momma react when you fed the baby? Was she at all upset? Did she immediately lick him from head to toe? It won't hurt to give Momma some of that milk replacer ... offer a little and see if she takes it.

she didn't seem "upset".... just really watchful (we have a very close relationship, so I think she trusts me). Yes, she immediately licked him from head to toe, and cuddled up to him when I put him back.
another quick ?... I am refrig. the MR, but I assume I should warm it before I feed, right? I thought I'd just run it under hot water for a few seconds.
Mama hasn't left the box since I put her in it this morning, I've offered her a little water, but she doesn't seem interested. I'm going to try th MR next.
Thank you for the advice!!

Originally Posted by catalexander

she didn't seem "upset".... just really watchful (we have a very close relationship, so I think she trusts me). Yes, she immediately licked him from head to toe, and cuddled up to him when I put him back.
another quick ?... I am refrig. the MR, but I assume I should warm it before I feed, right? I thought I'd just run it under hot water for a few seconds.
Mama hasn't left the box since I put her in it this morning, I've offered her a little water, but she doesn't seem interested. I'm going to try th MR next.
Thank you for the advice!!

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When I had foster kittens, I would heat up water in a kettle and put the hot water in a mug and then put the bottle with the KMR inside the mug. That is for feeding the little one...with mom..I would also put her KMR into a bottle and warm it up in the mug..but pour it into a bowl for her.

Katie

Also, try and offer mom some kitten wet food !!!!!!!

thanks everyone for the help. Unfortunately, our little one didn't make it. We are all very sad, especially my 7 yr. old son and 6 yr. old daughter.

I am sorry about the loss. I was afraid of this happening. Generally newborn kittens go right to the mom's nipple and enjoy the milk bar provided for them. Did the momcat only have one kitten? If no other kitten appears within 24 hours, I would take the momcat to the vet to be sure all is okay.

yep, just one. I can't feel any others in there. I'll take her to the vet tomorrow to be sure.
Thanks again for all your help.

Originally Posted by catalexander

thanks everyone for the help. Unfortunately, our little one didn't make it. We are all very sad, especially my 7 yr. old son and 6 yr. old daughter.

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I'm really sorry. Definately have mom cat checked over and she should be spayed.

Katie

That breaks my heart, I'm so sorry.... Mom must have known something was wrong

What a shame. But you tried all you could. I hope the momcat is OK.