Prepping for Babies!

Blog #1 “Nesting”

Our puppy nursery is in the back bedroom in our pretty little home, and is pretty magical. It’s a warm, sweet little den where Mama can feel safe, and where I sleep on a lower bunkbed for the next few weeks as her helper. I’ve lined Bucky and Phemme’s satin show ribbons along the top bunk, and Christmas lights along the window that cast a warm glow as I help my Mama administer to her newborn babes. Soft throw rugs are lined around the pen so my knees don’t get sore as I work the sleepless nights with my girl. The room is spotless, and smells like lavender and sage, well, before the pups come and start making their little messes…

I have an incubator, an oxygen machine, a whelping box with heated tape under the linoleum remnant to keep the babes toasty and to not overheat Mom. Pig rails are installed so she can lean against the edges of the whelping box with pups under the rail safely. I have baskets of clean towels, baby wipes, a nebulizer, an electric booger suction device, baby butt ointment, probiotics, antibiotics, sterile gauze, cotton swabs, syringes, stethescope, a small scale, alcohol, coconut oil, puppy pads, scissors… the list of supplies would literally fill this blog entry.

The physical prep for a litter can be quite a list, however I’ve found the key component for my own organization leading to caring for a litter is to work hard on my inner strength and stamina. Trust me on this, we have to be in tip-top shape in order to care for a newborn litter of pups. Remember the old adage, “Put your own oxygen mask on before you attempt to help those around you…” SO true when it comes to breeding dogs, as well.

Weeks before my girl is due to have her babes, I up my yoga routine so my body and mind can keep up with the intense demands of supporting them. Mama Dog should be with her pups 24/7 (in my opinion) instead of the babes in an incubator and then placed with her for feedings. I can’t stand this scenario for them both: Mom and pups need to bond, and also her milk flows more naturally if they’re free feeding. But this means more hovering for me! I’m watching them non-stop the first week to make sure they’re eating enough, and are positioned safely, among other components.

When Team No Sleep is in effect, lower backs can get achy, knees burn and neck muscles get tight and testy. I often forget to eat, and in the past I’ve become way to thin and pale from stress. I have vowed to not let that happen again, as my human and dog pack need me to be strong - mentally AND physically! I’ve especially found the more physically strong I am, my mind/body connection is at optimum levels, the easier it is to work those long hours and to not crumble under the stress of it all. I have a subscription to Butiyoga.com, which I highly recommend for anyone wanting to strengthen their core, and improve overall vitality. I’ve been doing Buti for about a decade… it really works! I will also visit the chiropractor a few times to make sure I’m in alignment and my energy is flowing. I take multivitamins, drink collagen and magnesium at night and swear by topical and oral CBD (5mg per lb of body weight 2x’s a day) for overall pain and stress relief.

I organize the entire household prior to a litter arriving, so there’s nothing hanging over my head and I can commit fully to my work with my mama and babes. It’s a very similar experience to when I was about to welcome my son, Maxi, into the world. I wanted him to join us earth side in a sweet, clean and serene environment, just as I do with my puppy family. Nesting behavior, is an instinctual behavior in pregnant animals (and humans, as I’ve personally experienced) is about providing protection against predators. I find it interesting that I revert to my own form of nesting, as well, to protect my little furry babies from any danger and to support them as they grow.

It is truly a team effort between Mama and myself, as she needs the support to do her job. When the magic is flowing, babes are eating and mama is well, there’s nothing quite like it.