Honestly I wouldn’t even bother, after being laid on and stepped on and the dam having five kids. I would just bottle feed a couple.
Baby Removed From Mamma - Can I put her Back?
As mentioned in another post, my ND, Katie (first freshener), gave birth to five babies. Two were brought inside due to size and weakness.
The three strongest stayed with mom. That is until Katie first laid on one (of the bigger/stronger ones)! She became unconscious or very, very still. I revived baby and watched her closely. Later Katie stepped on her. (I guess it’s confusing for a new mom recovering from birthing five little ones). After that, baby seemed lethargic and wasn’t nursing. It’s also still cold here so I brought her in with the other two. Baby (Layla) seems to be getting back to normal now. She has been away from Katie for about 36 hours and eating Katie’s milk. Can I still try to put her back, and if so, best way to do it?
The three strongest stayed with mom. That is until Katie first laid on one (of the bigger/stronger ones)! She became unconscious or very, very still. I revived baby and watched her closely. Later Katie stepped on her. (I guess it’s confusing for a new mom recovering from birthing five little ones). After that, baby seemed lethargic and wasn’t nursing. It’s also still cold here so I brought her in with the other two. Baby (Layla) seems to be getting back to normal now. She has been away from Katie for about 36 hours and eating Katie’s milk. Can I still try to put her back, and if so, best way to do it?
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She’s still raising 2 kids, and as a FF that might be best. Just milk her out to feed the other 3 and see how they do. You may also need to supplement them with cows milk if you do t have enough goats milk to keep them gaining.
I would also make sure the other kids have a place to cuddle that mom can’t get to- such as a barrel. Just to make sure mama doesn’t lay on another kid…
I would also make sure the other kids have a place to cuddle that mom can’t get to- such as a barrel. Just to make sure mama doesn’t lay on another kid…
I agree. Just leave the 2 on her and bottle feed the rest.
I also agree.
I really appreciate the advice, but I decided to try the reunion. I’ll tell you why…I also agree.
Today while I was in the barn I had a camera/monitor on the three bottle babies inside the house. Baby Layla started talking and we could hear her in the barn. Mom, Katie, immediately started talking back. So…when I pulled Katie out to milk her, I put Layla in the stall with her siblings. When Katie returned, Layla ran up to Katie and started to nurse. Katie sniffed her and stood to let Layla nurse to her hearts content. I have been watching Katie and her three babies all afternoon and it’s like Layla never left! (When I pulled Layla in the first place, Katie did seem to be looking for her and since Layla was only getting Katie’s milk, her scent remained the same.)
As recommended I added a small shelter so all three babies can crawl in there. They seem to love it, and come out when Katie calls to them.
Again, I really, really appreciate your help and advice. I believe in this circumstance Layla will thrive safely now with her mom and two siblings. The other two little brothers, who will stay with me and on a bottle, are doing very well today thanks to the great coaching and support from all of you! 🥰
It can work- glad they have an escape/snuggle spot to get to just in case 😊
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