Baby alive that you can feed

“How often should I feed my baby?” Almost all young parents puzzle over this question in the first days of a baby's life. They have not yet learned to distinguish the nuances of his behavior and doubt their ability to care for him. Depending on who they turn to for advice or what book they look for information in, new moms and dads get different answers to this seemingly simple question.

Some sources advise feeding at fixed hours, such as stating that children should eat every four hours. Feeding by the hour promises parents predictability. They feel confident because they are following recommendations from trusted sources. “We don’t have much experience with children and it’s important for us to do everything right,” one father explained the reason why his wife was breastfeeding a child on a schedule. nine0021

Other books recommend "feeding on demand", "feeding on demand", or "feeding in response to signs of readiness to suckle". (editor's note. Feeding on demand - why so many terms?) Supporters of feeding on demand believe that a child should be fed when he is hungry. This means that the mother must learn to recognize the special behavior of the baby when he wants to suckle. The child, as it were, sends signals to the mother that he already wants to suckle the breast - the baby’s eyelids tremble in a dream, you can notice the rapid movement of the eyeballs under the eyelids, then the baby begins to toss and turn, fidget, he looks for the breast, starts to squeak, and if he is not fed starts crying loudly. For some, recognizing signs of readiness to suckle is easier, for some it is more difficult. This ability depends on previous experience with children, self-confidence and how clearly the child can show by his behavior that he wants to suckle, and how vividly he responds to the actions of the mother. Some parents will need from several days to several weeks before they learn to understand the behavior and needs of their child. nine0021

Which approach to feeding is best? Which approach is best for breastfeeding? Why do parents choose one way or the other? Parents' actions depend on culture, individual preferences and values. If you break away from the influence of culture and look at the process of breastfeeding, the biology of a woman and a child, it turns out that abstract feeding very often does not work: children cry, women are nervous, and milk runs out.

In industrialized cultures, adults often have no idea how children actually behave, although everyone has illusory ideas about how children should behave. Adults do not realize that a child comes into this world with the same biological needs for food, protection, affection and attention as children thousands of years ago, throughout human history. Humanity has survived and thrived because mothers have met the needs of their children, responding to their signals and behaviors, in particular, signs of readiness to suckle. nine0021

Breastfeeding is normal for mother and child. It has been scientifically proven that bottle feeding with formula will not replace the emotional and physiological process of breastfeeding, and no artificial milk formula will replace the nutrients and immune factors of breast milk that protect the baby from disease. Scientific studies of successful breastfeeding have shown that, from the point of view of biology, both mothers and children are suitable for feeding not according to the regimen, but taking into account the behavior of the child. nine0021

The capacity of a baby's stomach is small and breast milk is digested quickly. By themselves, these two physiological facts confirm that the newborn will be calmer if he suckles frequently, and not only every three or four hours according to the regimen. In the first two or three days after birth, the mother produces a small amount of colostrum, an easily digestible, protein-rich fluid that contains immune bodies and prepares the baby's digestive system for more food. Another biological fact has appeared in our body of evidence, which confirms that newborns need to suckle often and suck out small portions of milk. And, of course, it is not at all accidental that frequent attachments to the breast guarantee the baby enough affection, the feeling that he has not been abandoned, i.e. a sense of security, tactile contact and communication with mom. nine0021

But that's not all. Frequent feedings in the first days of life help the newborn learn to suck on relatively soft breasts, so that later, when there is more milk, the baby can confidently take the breast. For a mother, frequent feeding in the first days after childbirth means a sufficient and stable amount of milk in the following months. And importantly, women who hold babies for long periods of time quickly learn to recognize what their babies need.

Studies have shown that healthy full-term infants regulate their milk intake remarkably if they are breastfed when mothers recognize behaviors that indicate a desire to breastfeed. The amount of milk the mother has in such cases exactly matches the needs of the baby. Regardless of the size of the mother's breasts and the weight of the child, a mother who feeds her child in proportion to his appetite has exactly as much milk as the baby needs. Babies suck when they are hungry, then suck more slowly until they stop sucking when they are full. Some babies suckle little and often, others suck longer and less often. In both cases, you can be sure that a healthy baby will regulate how much milk he sucks, and, therefore, adjust the mother's milk production so that he always has enough. nine0021

Recently, a group of Australian scientists conducted a study that clearly showed the relationship between a child's appetite and the amount of milk a mother has. Very often this relationship is described as a supply-demand system. According to these studies, milk is produced in the breast more slowly or faster, depending on how full or empty it is. Full breasts produce milk more slowly, empty breasts faster. This means that when the baby has emptied the breast as much as possible, milk is produced most quickly. If the baby does not suck out all the milk from the breast, there will be less milk. The baby's appetite controls the mother's milk supply. Therefore, if the baby is always breastfed when it wants to suckle, the baby will regulate its own milk production. If the baby is hungry and empties the breast, milk will be produced faster. If the child is full and does not eat for several hours, slow down. nine0021

It follows that the question “How often should I feed my baby?” there can be no single answer. Feeding on a strict schedule will disrupt the complex interaction between an infant's suckling and feeding needs and the mother's ability to produce enough milk. For example, if a baby wants to suckle, but he is not given a breast, because the time for feeding has not yet come up according to the regimen, the breast overflows, and milk production slows down. If this happens from time to time, the amount of milk the mother has will not meet the needs of the child. Some proponents of the regimen approach believe that one should wait until the breast is "full" before feeding the baby, and that the baby will not be full if he suckles on a relatively empty breast. However, studies on the rate of milk production leave no doubt that in response to the suckling of a child in an empty breast, milk is produced faster and that such milk is high in fat. nine0021

Changes in the fat content of breast milk is another important factor that influences the relationship between a baby's feeling of fullness, the amount of milk the baby sucks, and the amount of milk the mother produces. The amount of fat in breast milk increases as the breasts are emptied. A not-so-hungry baby sucks out a small amount of low-fat milk. A hungry baby sucks out more milk with a high fat content, and the longer he sucks, the fatter the milk. Higher fat milk gives the baby a feeling of satiety at the end of feeding. If an infant is allowed to suckle one breast for only a few minutes and then the breast is voluntarily changed, he suckles only a full breast in both cases, which means that he fills his stomach with a lot of low-fat milk and does not receive the “cream” that would make him feel full and satisfied. nine0021

American editor's note. Please note that this article is about healthy babies who suckle and empty their breasts well, suckle enough milk and gain weight well. Babies who suckle poorly and do not empty their breasts may not always be able to set the pace of milk production and suck out enough milk for growth and development. If the newborn sleeps too much, he should be awakened and breastfed more often.

Scientists have also determined that the fat content of mother's milk decreases as the time between feedings increases. In other words, the more frequent feedings, the higher the fat content of milk. An infant who is breastfed 30 to 40 minutes after he has emptied his breast will suck out more fatty milk than if he were breastfed two to three hours before. nine0021

American editor's note. Do not rush to come up with new rules for breastfeeding based on this article. No need to think about which breasts are full and which are empty, how much milk is in the breast or how much fat is in the milk. Look at the baby, give him the breast when he shows his behavior that he wants to suckle, and everything will be all right.

Babies change their personal “mode” of suckling depending on various circumstances: whether they are hungry, or hot and thirsty, or upset and need to be pitied. There are times when babies grow very fastmonths), which means they suckle very often and thus increase the amount of mother's milk to meet the increasing needs for further growth (there was enough milk and even more!). When children eat more and more adult food, complementary foods, they breastfeed less often, and there is less milk. A well-oiled system works great because of natural behavior: the mother adapts to the child, and the child adapts to the mother. A strict feeding regime breaks this harmonious system. Nature has made it so that babies decide when to breastfeed. nine0021

Understanding a child's behavior requires effort and time to acquire new skills. It's much easier to look at your watch or listen to an "authoritative opinion" about when and how often to feed your baby. If parents aren't sure they can figure out when a baby is "telling" them that it's time to breastfeed, they may find it easier to feed on a schedule. Some parents believe that feeding according to the regimen is good for the child - they themselves live according to a clear schedule and rely on the children's regimen to guarantee them the stable and predictable life they are so used to. There is also an opinion that the regime imposed by parents will help raise an obedient child. nine0021

Young parents often rely on the opinions of other people (grandmothers, doctors, “authoritative books”, friends) about how to properly care for a child. When an authoritative person in the eyes of a mother claims that if the feeding regimen is followed, the baby will sleep better and sleep longer and that she will “accumulate” milk for feeding, the woman is most likely to try to feed by the hour. .

However, the reasons why parents Deciding to feed according to a schedule may go deeper than just personal preference. If the culture of parents is in control of children's behavior, parents are more likely to feed at fixed hours. If it is not customary in society to pay attention to the needs of the child, parents will be condemned if they respond to every change in the behavior of the child. long intervals between feedings) may become the norm, and parents of an infant will try to extend the time between feedings and avoid frequent attachment to the breast. Young parents are more likely to conform to cultural dictates than to listen to their own parental instinct. nine0021

Feeding infants according to a strict schedule and limiting the duration of suckling often does not go unnoticed either for parents or for the child. Most babies cry and demand to eat “too fast” and off schedule. But you can get a “good” baby who can handle hourly feedings, but as a result, such a baby may not gain weight well. When parents look at the clock, deciding it's time for a baby to breastfeed, and don't consider the baby's desire to suckle, the baby's growth and the mother's milk supply are at risk. If the baby is not gaining weight well, this can be mistakenly attributed to the mother's "non-dairy" ability to produce enough milk. And if you know that there may be little milk due to the fact that a woman simply rarely feeds, the imaginary “non-dairy” can be easily corrected by frequent applications. But if you believe in congenital, family, genetic “non-milkness”, which is so often unreasonably attributed to women who feed by the hour, then it is easy to agree that it is no longer in our power to correct the trouble. In this case, women often give up and stop feeding so as not to starve the child. nine0021

Most babies are very indignant and protest if they are not fed enough and they are hungry. If parents persist and feed the child at regular intervals, the baby will rarely be calm, satisfied and satisfied with life. When a child desperately demands (simply cries loudly) that the parents meet his normal and healthy needs, the parents become nervous and do not know what to do. The confrontation between a parent who tries to fit a child's needs into an abstract schedule and a child who struggles to get everything they need to survive, grow, and develop exhausts both parents and children. In a senseless struggle, the emotional and physical state of the child suffers, the trusting relationship between the parent and the baby is undermined. nine0021

Parents of a baby who is always dissatisfied between feedings involuntarily begin to think that he is unbearable, “difficult” or even unhealthy, spoiled and spoiled. People around are sure that parents are slow and negligent, because they cannot cope with their child. In this situation, parents are no longer able to trust their own feelings, whether they react correctly to the child's behavior. The natural, instinctive reaction is to do everything possible to calm their beloved helpless child. Most often, one has only to take the child in his arms and give him the breast, as he calms down. But what kind of mother would risk taking the child in her arms once again if she was frightened that such “connivance” in upbringing would spoil the child for life?! nine0021

A similar conflict between what most parents want and try to do for the peace and happiness of the baby, and what “authoritative” advisers are trying to convince them of, leads to a situation where parents do not believe in themselves and artificially suppress the natural reaction to restless baby behavior. The inner feeling of insecurity of parents leads to stiffness in communication with the child, and children immediately feel it. Parents not only do not trust their feelings, but also to some extent deny the child's ability to express their experiences and feelings. And since children learn the world through the prism of an adult, the baby may lose confidence in himself. nine0021

When a mother understands a newborn's behavior and notices the signs of readiness to suckle (see chart on page 129 [below]), she easily anticipates all of his basic biological needs. For a mother who responds quickly and consistently to a change in her child's behavior, the baby does not need to cry to be noticed. As a result, the child trusts the world around and grows up healthy, calm and complacent. The calmer the baby, the more confident the parents, because they manage to live in peace and harmony with the child. When the baby does not cry, parents are pleased to be with him. nine0021

How can a mother learn to tell when to breastfeed and when to do something else? For simplicity, consider: if a child needs something, he needs a mother and a breast. Sometimes babies need breasts because they're hungry, sometimes because they're restless, and sometimes because they want to socialize. Breastfeeding satisfies all these needs of the child, so new parents do not need to try to determine what exactly the child needs at this moment. Over time, parents will learn to discern the nuances of a child's behavior. With experience comes an understanding of how a child behaves when hungry, bored, overexcited or tired; when to offer the breast and when to find another way to soothe the baby. nine0021

Observing your baby's behavior and recognizing signs of readiness to suckle pays off even with a grown baby. Parents who recognize that their child is an individual with unique, meaningful needs will continue to respect those needs well into the future. They will be able to understand the changing needs of the child and will be confident that they will be able to cope with each new age and stage of development of the child, they will enjoy a rich and multifaceted relationship with their baby. nine0021

Trusting your child and yourself is an important skill that is learned from the first minutes of parenthood. If a mother notices that a child wants to suckle and gives him a breast, she lays the foundation for dialogue, two-way communication with the child for the rest of her life. And the ability to listen occupies the most important place in communication.

Bibliography
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk (RE9729). Pediatrics 1997 Dec; 100(6):1035-1039.
Biancuzzo, M. Breastfeeding the Newborn, Clinical Strategies of Nurses. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, 2003.
Cregan, M. and Hartmann, E. Computerized breast measurement from conception to weaning: Clinical implications. J Hum Lact 1999; 15(2):89-96.
Daly, S.E. and Hartmann, P. Infant demand and milk supply. Part 1: Infant demand and milk production in lactating women. J Hum Lact 1995; 11(1):21-26.
Daly, S.E. and Hartmann, P. Infant demand and milk supply. Part 2: The short-term control of milk synthesis in lactating women. J Hum Lact 1995; 11(1):27-37.
Mohrbacher, N. and Stock, J. The Breastfeeding Answer Book. Schaumburg, IL: La Leche League International, 2003.
La La Leche League International. Common Breastfeeding Myths. Schaumburg, IL: La Leche League International, l998.
Marasco, L. and Barger, J. Cue feeding: Wisdom and science. Breastfeeding Abstracts 1999; 18(4):27-28.
McKenna, J. Natural History of Breast Feeding: An Evolutionary and Developmental Perspective. SUNY@Stonybrook School of Nursing Breastfeeding Conference, May 11, 2001.
Woolridge, M. Baby controlled breastfeeding: Biocultural implications. In Breastfeeding: Biocultural Perspectives. New York: De Gruyter, 1995.

A gift to all Russian mothers is a translation of a memo on the signs of readiness to suckle from the latest edition of the legendary book “Women's Art. Breastfeeding” (2010). Download and print

Readiness to suckle behavior

• At first, the baby makes a subtle sign that he wants to suckle. The eyes move quickly under the eyelids, the eyelids tremble before the child opens them. The kid brings his hands to his face, opens his mouth.
• Then there are more obvious signs - the baby is looking for the breast, whimpering and squeaking.
• If you notice this behavior at this stage, the baby will latch on gently and easily.
• As the baby grows hungry or upset, his whole body and mouth tense up. He starts breathing faster or crying. nine0119
• When the baby has already started crying, it is more difficult for him to take the breast. Crying - late a sign of hunger or that the child wants to suckle. Reassure your baby before breastfeeding.
• The baby is easy to breastfeed when he "asks" for the breast, and much more difficult when he "demands" it.
• Don't wait for milk to accumulate in your breasts. If the breast is full, milk production in it has already slowed down.
• Even if the baby does not ask, you can let him suckle at the breast at any time convenient for you. nine0119

Newborn puppies - tips for care and feeding - ProPlan.ru

Caring for newborn puppies

August 03, 2022

With normal delivery and sufficient milk supply, care for newborn puppies in the first three weeks is more about looking after the nursing mother and helping her if necessary.

Preparing for birth

About a week before birth, prepare the area where the mother and her babies will be. An ordinary basket, a residential box will not work. You need a place where the dog will be comfortable, and the growing puppies will be able to move. nine0021

They usually arrange an arena. This is a box or fence of such a height that the dog can get inside without jumping, but simply by stepping over the wall. For small breeds, you can use a box made of hard cardboard; for the rest, the arena is made of plywood or durable plastic. Hardboard is completely unsuitable, as it releases phenolic resins.

The arena is made in such a size that the dog can lie down comfortably, stretched out to its full length. To prevent the dog from accidentally crushing the cub with its back, along the inside of the arena, a rail or bar should be attached around the entire perimeter. This ledge should be at a height of approximately the middle of the body of the lying dog. Then she will not be able to cling tightly to the wall of the arena and damage the puppy. nine0021

During childbirth, amniotic fluid will drain, a fairly heavy discharge persists into the early postpartum period, and growing puppies will urinate many times a day. To maintain cleanliness in the arena, it is better to make it convenient for cleaning, including wet. The playpen should be placed on a sheet of plywood - this will save the floor in the room, the plywood itself is easy to clean and wash if necessary.

Put a bedding on top of the plywood, because babies have very delicate skin, they rub calluses on their paws especially easily. For bedding, you can use clean cotton sheets, short pile faux fur, special absorbent mats and diapers. nine0021

Do not put mattresses and diapers stuffed with cotton wool, synthetic winterizer, foam rubber into the playpen - puppies can swallow them and die. Do not use thick bedding. The dog will tear it to pieces and may accidentally roll the puppy into pieces. It is impossible to lay knitted fabrics in the arena, the puppies can get tangled in the loops pulled out of the fabric. Absorbent diapers are a good option, but they tear very easily and puppies can swallow the stuffing.

Get your dog used to the fact that now his sleeping place is in the arena. You can feed her there, put water nearby. The arena for puppies and a nursing mother is placed in a secluded place so as not to disturb the dog once again. Nevertheless, there should be a convenient approach to the arena so that you can clean up there, examine the puppies, take the mother for a walk. nine0021

The first decade of life of puppies

The first ten days after birth, the dog practically does not leave the puppies. She lies with them, feeds, warms with her own body, licks. Often you even have to take the dog for a walk using force. Having quickly recovered, the caring mother hurries back to the puppies.

This behavior of the dog is normal. Newborn puppies are completely helpless, they cannot see or hear because their eyes and ear canals are closed. Babies orient themselves with the help of their sense of smell, in addition, they have an innate reaction to move towards a heat source. It is these abilities that allow the cubs to find their own mother. nine0021

Thermoregulation of newborn puppies

Little puppies need a mother not only as a nurse, it is very important that she keeps the puppies warm. Newborns lack thermoregulation, they cannot maintain their own body temperature at a constant level. If the mother does not warm the babies, they freeze in the truest sense of the word. For a puppy in the first days of life, hypothermia can be fatal - it will no longer be possible to warm it up, and it will die.

An innate reaction called crowding allows babies to partially fight against the imperfection of their own thermoregulation. In the absence of the mother, the puppies get restless, begin to crawl in circles, and end up huddled together in one pile. This allows them to maintain normal body temperature for a short time. However, the puppies that are outside are more cold and tend to crawl into the middle. Experiencing discomfort, the babies begin to whine piercingly, prompting the mother to return as soon as possible. nine0021

A caring mother regularly licks her cubs. She uses such a “massage” already in the process of childbirth. This increases peripheral circulation, which warms the puppy, dries and cleans his coat, allows the mother to remember the smell of the newborn and understand that this is her "baby".

The main purpose of licking is to stimulate the emptying of the bladder and intestines. Until about 10 days of age, puppies lack the reflexes that allow the body to get rid of waste products. Actively massaging the stomach with the tongue, the dog causes the cub to urinate and defecate. The dog swallows the puppy's urine and feces, thus maintaining the cleanliness in the den. The dog continues to clean up after the puppies even when they already know how to go to the toilet. This behavior in most dogs persists until the start of complementary foods, that is, until the age of three weeks. There are also super-responsible mothers who “clean up” after children at the age of two or even three months. nine0021

Caring for a lactating dog

After giving birth, the dog gradually returns to its usual way of life, goes outside. With urban content, after a walk, do not forget to wash her paws with warm water. In order not to get dirty wool on the stomach and mammary glands, it is better to take the dog for a walk in overalls. If a nursing dog walks in dirty weather without overalls, then upon returning home, it is necessary not only to thoroughly wash all the milk lobes with warm water without soap, but also dry them thoroughly, especially the places where the skin comes into contact. If you do not do this, then diaper rash may occur. nine0021

In the first days of the puppies' life, bring the mother to the arena only on a leash; it is better to carry a small dog in your arms. In a hurry to get back to the children, the mother jumps into the playpen and may accidentally step on one of the puppies.

A young primordial dog is best looked after when it is laid to feed. She does it clumsily, and one of the puppies may be behind her. The squeak of a crushed puppy usually greatly excites the dog, it begins to spin, scattering the rest of the puppies. As a result, one of the kids can get injured and even die. To avoid this, move the puppies to the side while the dog settles into place, and then move them to the nipples. Do not remove puppies from the arena at all. Not seeing the cubs there, the dog will begin to get very worried, and it will be very difficult to put him in an empty arena. nine0021

Drinking water must be placed next to the playpen so that the dog can drink whenever he wants. It is generally better to put a bowl of food in the arena. In a lactating dog, the need for food increases significantly, it is better to introduce additional feedings. This is especially important for dogs with abundant secretion of milk. During this period, it is best to use special food designed for lactating dogs or puppy food. They have all the necessary nutrients for the dog and its offspring. nine0021

Lactation in dogs and feeding of newborn puppies

For good growth and development of puppies, it is very important that they receive mother's milk in sufficient quantities.

In a dog, lactation begins already in the process of childbirth. A newborn puppy immediately tries to find milk, focusing on the smell. Some mothers help the cubs by pushing them with their nose to the chest, or even take them in their mouths and put them on the nipple. Others do not help newborns, leaving them to find their own source of milk. Having found the nipple, the puppy clings to it. The first attempts may be unsuccessful, but in the end the puppy grabs the nipple with the whole mouth and tongue so tightly that it can hang on it for a while if the mother gets up. nine0021

Most dogs have 4 pairs of nipples, of which the posterior lobes are usually the most milky. However, there may be more or less nipples. A dog feeds puppies without problems when there are at least one less of them than her working nipples. If there are more babies, early solids may be needed.

In the first days after birth, the dog's body secretes colostrum. It is a slightly yellowish substance, rather liquid compared to milk. Colostrum, in addition to nutrients, contains a huge amount of immune substances. A puppy receiving mother's milk is protected from the inherent diseases of the species until about the age of two months. nine0021

The secretion of colostrum is gradually replaced by the secretion of milk. Milk in a dog changes its composition during lactation, the peak of which occurs approximately 10-20 days after birth. It is possible to determine whether babies have enough milk by their behavior. If the puppies constantly squeak, crawl from nipple to nipple, they have sunken bellies, then they are hungry. In a dog with normal milk flow, when you press the nipple, the milk literally squirts in several streams. With low milk production, small drops appear on the nipple or there are none at all. nine0021

Lactating dog must receive a complete diet, the energy level of the food is increased by at least 50%. On a ready-to-eat diet, mothers are fed puppies.

Proper care of puppies at 1-2 months old

Of course, the dog itself bears the overwhelming share of care for the offspring. Until the puppies are three weeks old, the breeder mainly controls the process of their growth. To do this, from the first day of life, each puppy is weighed daily and the result is recorded in a journal. In principle, the increase should also be daily. However, if this particular puppy does not gain weight today, it’s not scary, but if this persists for the next day, or if he loses weight, then a medical consultation will be necessary. nine0021

Puppies of most breeds normally double their body weight within the first week of life. If the mother does not have enough milk and all the puppies are malnourished, you need to start feeding them.

Whole cow's milk should not be given . You can use milk substitutes, they are produced industrially. If puppies are reluctant to eat dog milk substitutes, then goat milk, which is very close in composition to dog milk, will be the best substitute for mother's milk. nine0021

If the puppy is completely bottle-fed, then in the first decade of life, he should eat a mixture per day in an amount of 25% of his own weight, then the daily intake is reduced to 20% of the puppy's weight. They feed the “artists” every two hours, be sure to record the amount of the mixture eaten and the weight of the puppy.

Fortunately, babies usually get enough breast milk.

When formula-fed, the mother may refuse to care for the puppies, and people will have to ensure the hygiene of the babies. After soaking a cotton pad in warm water, gently massage the puppy's tummy and the area around the anus until it is relieved. Puppies begin to recover on their own at the age of about 10 days. nine0021

Abnormal maternal behavior is common in dogs undergoing caesarean section.

First food

Transferring puppies from milk to solid food is called weaning. Usually puppies begin to feed at the age of three weeks. Until that time, they do not produce enzymes that allow them to digest any products other than milk.

Three-week-old puppies are already actively moving, they have normal vision and hearing. Thermoregulation has also improved, although strong cooling, as well as overheating, are still dangerous. nine0021

The mother now spends very little time with the puppies. She often does not lie down next to them, rarely feeds and leaves very quickly. Since the mother is standing, the cubs are forced to suckle milk while standing on their hind legs. This exercise strengthens the muscles well.

Puppies are already erupting in their milk teeth and can bite the dog very painfully while feeding. Even more unpleasant for her are the cuts that the sharp claws of puppies leave. It is necessary to monitor the length of the claws of puppies, cut them regularly and smooth the cut with a nail file. Such care will allow the dog to avoid unnecessary torment when feeding grown puppies. This procedure is also necessary to ensure the correct position of the limbs and the formation of the correct movements in the puppies themselves. Overgrowth of the claws forces the puppy to lean on the outside or inside of the paw. nine0021

During complementary feeding, the mother should be taken to another room, as the dog may well eat food intended for children. Some dogs may even drive puppies away from food. By the way, the dog itself should now be fed separately.

It is up to the breeder to decide whether to feed the puppies with natural food or ready-made food. To do this, you need to weigh all the pros and cons. If he chooses to feed with natural food, he must clearly know all the needs of the dog's body for essential nutrients. If he chooses the option with ready-made feeds, then in the product line you need to choose one that will be suitable for the age of the puppies and take into account their breed. The range of offered ready-made feeds PRO PLAN ^® has all kinds of nutrition depending on the size of the puppy, its breed and special needs.

The PRO PLAN ^® OPTISTART ^® range of ready-to-eat foods has been specially designed to meet all the needs of small puppies. This food contains colostrum as a special ingredient, the bioactive components of which help to strengthen the natural defenses of puppies and improve the intestinal microflora. Therefore, such food will help in the most gentle way to support the proper development and growth of puppies during their weaning period .

It is necessary to introduce such complementary foods into the diet gradually: since the stomach of puppies is not yet accustomed to solid food, the food must be soaked at the first stage. You need to feed in small portions, several times a day. Each package of food must contain instructions that indicate how many times a day puppies should be fed. depending on age and how much food should be measured per puppy per day. The gradual introduction of dry food into the diet will allow the puppy's digestive system to better adapt to the change in nutrition. nine0021

It is most convenient to accustom puppies to solid food, feeding all the offspring at once. It is enough for one puppy to start eating, as the rest follow his example. For feeding, it is optimal to use dishes with a sufficiently high side, standing on a stand, or a special feeder for small puppies. The side prevents the puppy from climbing into the feeder. If you do not pay attention to the fact that the puppy puts its paws in a bowl, then this manner of eating can be fixed.

Aftercare

Puppies receive parentage documents at 45 days of age. By this time they must be chipped or have a tattoo (stamp) with an identification number.

From the age of 45 puppies can be handed over to their owners. Responsible breeders give puppies only after vaccination at the age of 2.5-3 months. By this time, the puppy is accustomed to cosmetic or hygienic manipulations, to walking on a leash.

Specific recommendations on feeding, keeping, caring for a puppy are given by the breeder in accordance with the breed characteristics. nine0021

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  Nutritious baby foods
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  Best spoons for babies first feeding
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  Mummy feeding milk to baby