Colostrum Powder

Raising newborn English Bulldog puppies PLEASE HELP!!!!?

Hi! My English Bulldog had puppies yesterday, and unlike most bullies, she is actually nursing her pups, which leads to my questions. I know they are getting colostrum right now, but how long does it take for the milk to come in? I am supplementing them with puppy milk (just a small amount) after each feeding to make sure they are actually getting milk. One other question, she favors letting them nurse on one side. Should I try to force her to let them suckle on the other side every other feeding? She had 5 pups and has 10 nipples. I have raised other litters before, but this is the first time one of my girls has nursed, and I really want to do everything right. Thanks!! Oh, and please don't leave any negative remarks about breeding. I am very dedicated to my dogs and pups. I even take back puppies if the circumstances change for the new family. I also do bulldog rescues. These dogs have never been about the money for me. Thanks again!

Public Comments

1. Gotta love the excuses that a BYB gives to justify their lack of knowledge!
2. you have a good mama then. she will decide which side is best for her. and as long as you keep her eating she will have enough milk. the pups should eat about every two hours. she will have already had milk before she had them so you are free an clear. just make sure she is feeding them enough. i had to make my dog lay down an fed her pups bc she wouldn't do it. if they can get moms milk it would b best for them.
3. Do not supplement. Encourage nursing on both sides to prevent mastitis and over-engorgement.
4. Well, my Saint Bernard just had an emergency C-Section on Saturday to deliver 12 pups. Her colostrum came out for about 1 to 1 1/2 days then her milk came. We had to supplement feeding for a day because of my dogs condition after her surgery but I do not recommend supplement feeding your pups unless the mother can not feed them. It is good for the puppies to only eat the colostrum at first and no milk because of the vitamins and nourishment it gives them, that is why the mother produces so much of it. If she has colostrum let the pups drink that only. My vet told me that if you do not let the pups nurse from the mother the whole time she has milk then she will only produce what she is currently using. That means if you are feeding the pups her body is telling her that she needs a minimal amount of milk because that is what she is using, but when the pups began to depend on mom for their entire food supply, she may not have enough milk. Also, most of the time each puppy will pick a spacific nipple to nurse from. I don't know why this is but it happens just about every time with most of my litters. That is just a little tip I've gotten from my vet during my time of breeding dogs. Good luck with your new additions!