My Mommy Mouse isn't spending very much time with the babies. - Paw Talk

Lucky_&_Pepper · #1 08-06-2006, 02:01 PM

She seems to be a lot more interested in running around and eating, and I'm worried the babies won't get enough warmth or milk.

Padfoot · #2 08-06-2006, 04:34 PM

You can see milk through their bellies, it's a white spot on their stomach. If it's there, then they are nursing, no worries about that. About the warmth, just make sure the cage in general doesn't get too cold and give her some nesting material (like tissues or toilet paper).

Lucky_&_Pepper · #3 08-06-2006, 10:47 PM

I know, but I really don't want to disturb her too much. She's already nervous enough.

Lucky_&_Pepper · #4 08-06-2006, 11:14 PM

Ok, I checked. Most of them don't have white tummies,

just the ones closest to her. When I picked up the blanket, she started picking some up and moving them closer to her, but most she kind of left alone. She's barely older than a baby herself (we got her when she was about 1 1/2 weeks on June 16), so that must have a big effect on her parenting skills. When I counted the babies, one (probably the runt) was missing.

It wasn't a thorough check, though, so it might have been hiding near her. I'm so worried about the babies that (in the beginning) I had taken to sleeping on the floor next to the cage, which didn't please my mom too much. Every time I heard a squeak I woke up, but now I'm worried I'll disturb her, so I sleep in the living room for fear that I'll make a noise a she'll eat them. Both of my parents are against the pinkies anyway, so I know they wouldn't agree to letting me feed them if it came to it. I'm only 13 years old; I don't really have the time to take care of 12 newborn babies and feed them every 2 hours. I had enough trouble raising my mommy mouse. I get so anxious about the pinkies that I don't even like going out for too long. It's so stressful. Anyway, please respond as soon as you can because I need a lot of advice. Thanks in advance.

Padfoot · #5 08-06-2006, 11:45 PM

First time moms usually don't know what to do with the babies. Also, there's not much that you can do with the babies if she abandons them. Also, when they are so many, sometimes they can't raise them all, and they "cull" the litter so that there's a manageable number for her. Then, there are some mice that just don't make good mothers. Most you can do is keep the cage boring so she doesn't have anything to do but care for the babies, keep her well fed and water all the time, and hope that she takes care of them.

Also, remember that she might be pregnant again, since she was with the male when the babies were born, so expect more pinkies when these are weaned.

Vanilla_Rat · #6 08-07-2006, 01:49 AM

Make sure mommy mouse is getting enough proteinand vitamins.Sometimes if a mother mouse don't get enough protein,she craves it and will eat the young to get the protein she craves.Give her a little bit of milk,cheese,egg or chicken.

As Padfoot said,try and keep the cage boring,just until the babies are a little older!

Lucky_&_Pepper · #7 08-07-2006, 08:28 PM

Thanks

This morning when I checked on her, she was nursing all but three. I didn't mess with her or the pinkies, and when I checked back later she was in the process of moving the other three to the little niche she's claimed for her and the babies. She's been nursing a lot more now, and when she does take a break, it's not for long. Sometimes she even "enlists" the help of the daddy mouse for babysitting! Everybody's doing a lot better now.
I've been feeding her some non-wheat bread soaked in the baby formula we used when raising her, and both mice seem to like it. Pepper hasn't been abducting the babies and mostly just sleeps or eats. Right now Lucky's stretched out over her babies and is fast asleep. It looks like all the pinkies are alive and well, even though I haven't checked on them since this afternoon.
Anyway, thanks a lot for all your support and advice; I'll try to keep you updated on how the pinkies are doing.
Oh, and you're probably right about her being pregnant...

Vanilla_Rat · #8 08-07-2006, 11:47 PM

I am glad that things seem better and that she is nursing now.

PLEASE remove the male...I can guarantee that mommy is pregnant again and within a few hours of giving birth to her second litter,she can get pregnant again.This is VERY stressful on her body.

Do you know what your going to do with ALL these babies??? Didn't you mention your parents are not even happy with the mice you have now?

Lucky_&_Pepper · #9 08-08-2006, 12:36 PM

I know; we're going to move him to another cage today.

My mom wants to take out the slide thingy because it's dirty, but it would mean taking the cage apart, and I really don't want to disturb her. What's your opinion on this?

Vanilla_Rat · #10 08-09-2006, 01:27 AM

Well it's been a few days now,so it should be okay.If the mother mouse knows you and your scent,then it should be fine.You can put your hands in the bedding to absorb the mouse scent on your hands too if you want to be a little safer.If the cage needs to be cleaned,definatly clean it!With little babies (and even adults of course),it is important to have a clean enviroment!How old are the babies now anyway??

Lucky_&_Pepper · #11 08-09-2006, 12:02 PM

They're five days old.

I don't know if I should take the cage apart because the slide is very difficult to get to and she's usually sleeping under it with her babies. We did clean out most of the bedding and put fresh ones in, so the cage is kind of clean.