Baby Eclectus being screechy advice, regression?

[nicki]

Its only my 2nd day of baby ekkie ownership. I have so many questions! I've read all the books, but most things are learned better by experience and I apologize in advance for spamming the ekkie forum!

So yesterday he was a sweet, quiet, small voice chatting boy. Then last night I think he was crying for hand-feeding, so I ended up doing that in which he was a happy boy again afterwards.

Fast forward to this morning, he is squawky. I chalk it up to letting the world know hes awake, this happened at about 9am. So after 3 hours of squawking, I gave in and hand fed him a bit. After which again, sweet boy. I was giving CC's in conjunction with what he last had at his hand feedings at the petshop, but this morning I gave him about 15 ccs (the last time he accepted a handfeeding at the shop, it was 35-40 ccs, which was only once a day at that point -- I have all of their paperwork from when the shop got him of weight and feedings everyday) he was content for a while. Then random loud squawking, especially when I am in the kitchen -- People eat besides you Eko! lol

Can someone give me some insight to what might be happening here? I offer him cooked veggies, fresh veggies and seed. He goes for the seed most often :/. I was trying to limit my handling with him because I want him to know its ok to be alone for a little while! I tried answering his calls with more positive words like "HI!" when he yells. Tried covering him for privacy. I am just trying to instill the right behaviors in him and feel like either I'm doing something wrong or he is possibly regressing and still wants hand-feedings? The squawks do remind me of when it was feeding time at the shop.

I am very comfortable hand-feeding him, he pretty much just eats out of the syringe and I keep the formula at proper temperature and weigh him before doing so. Is this the problem here?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[coltfire]

he just may need to settle in and with that he is going to want lots of cuddles,with the wanting to still be fed that is fine , is he eating his fruit and veg ? with him only taking the 15 cc that would prob be the fact that he has been eating, if your going to still hand feed try mixing some human baby food with the formula more each time to get him off the formula. hope this helps a little.

 

[moni.k]

Nalani was exactly 8 weeks old when I brought her home also. Hand feeding and weaning can be a rewarding experience but it's really NOT for everyone. It's tough, and unfortunately screaming is one of those things babies just do. Nalani had a huge screaming problem all throughout the weaning stage. After she was fully weaned (not forced) her screaming stopped. Even to this day, if Nalani hears the microwave beep she screams out of habit. But your baby is only 8 weeks old. I don't know how much food he's eating aside from the hand feeding, but you have to tailor the hand feeding to the bird. Some birds take longer to wean while others pick it up quicker. Nalani was on 2 feedings a day when she was 8 weeks old (mornings 8am and evening 6pm). I stopped her morning feedings at 11 weeks and she was fully weaned at 16. I've heard of other instances where they've hand fed birds till they were 6 months.

My advice is to offer variety of foods daily. Nalani had and still has food in her bowl 24/7. If he continues to only pick out the seeds, limit the amount of seeds by offering it overnight to hold him till the next morning while giving him fruits/veggies all throughout the day. Give him a lot of different types of fruits, veggies (experiment and see what he likes) and cooked mix. You can make a mash that babies tend to enjoy because the consistency is similar to formula than chunks of food that may seem intimidating.

To be honest at 8 weeks old in a new home with a new hand feeder it's normal for him to regress. Your techniques are different from what he's used to. He may not be getting as much formula in a single feeding as he was at the petshop. So begging for food more frequently is normal.

 

[nicki]

Last night he ate his whole bowl of veggies I left in overnight. I've been sitting down with him trying different things to see what he *loves*. He seems picky, even. I just fed him 35 ccs and hes squawking a little bit here as I hold him but he sounds like a wind-up toy thats losing power lol. I guess he was hungry. :/

I will try to cuddle him more, he is great otherwise. No biting or acting outwardly frightened or anything. He comes to me and my husband happily and is very curious about everything, plays with his toys. It almost seems like he is squawking in certain intervals. Maybe every 10 seconds.

 

[nicki]

@Moni, he is a tad under 3 months. He will be 3 months on the 27th. So, about 11 weeks. I went to the shop to help with hand feedings as often as I could (on average every 3 days for a month), I learned from them, but I understand I may not have it perfect.

 

[moni.k]

Yep, sounds like he wants something. When he squawks like that, offer him some banana (Nalani really loved it when she was hand feeding) or a cooked brown rice/bean mix. If he eats a little and the screaming stops, then you know he was just hungry. If the screaming continues and he doesn't eat then something is bugging him. He may screaming out of fear, attention, etc. Unfortunately its up to you to pinpoint what would be the cause of the screams.

But also remember, that it's only been 2 days since you've had your baby. It takes time for him to adjust into his new home and for you to fall into a steady routine that works.

Edit: haha sorry for the mix up with age. I'm really not trying to come off harsh. I made a lot of mistakes with Nalani in the beginning. It takes a lot of trial and error, but luckily they're pretty forgiving

 

[nicki]

For some reason unbeknownst to me I really dislike bananas. I went to the store yesterday and bought one for the first time in my life to see if he would like it, weirdly, he didn't because the shop people said he did (I had to cover my nose, can't stand the smell either haha). He doesn't care much for beans, except lentils, and won't eat rice. OK so, I just put him to bed, he is a happy camper now having been fed. Giving me that sweet voice like hes trying so hard to say something He has beans/rice mix, fresh veggies, and seed. I guess I will see

I know I do worry a lot, but that makes a good Mom, right? I realize people have much worse issues, but I am just trying to nip any buds before anything becomes habit. Can't imagine how I'll handle it if I have a human child hehe

 

[moni.k]

Haha, well I'm glad you put so much emphasis on his well being. He has a good family. Like I've said it's scary in the beginning. Everything is so new and different, you want to give him the best and you're unsure if your doing a good job. It really takes time and experimenting to learn boundaries, body language, diet and all the other tell tale signs. But you're off to a great start, by wanting to gain as much knowledge and information.

 

[coltfire]

the one thing i do like here in Australia its illegal to sell a bird that is not fully weaned , not saying people dont but there not supposed too, none of mine ever go out before fully weaned that way i know they are eating. and will have 2 ready in 9 weeks , 8 of those will be hand raising and weaning.

 

[nicki]

I agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly. i thought about bringing him home early due to the stress the was enduring there. It was also stress that made him immediately compatible with my cat and dog and other people.

He was raised by people I've gotten to know over the past month and since he was refusing hand-feeding and they knew of my concern, and knowing I have hand fed him, made them trust me in my decision to bring him home only after a few days of refusals. He was also eating wonderfully when I brought veggies.

I was nervous at first but he was great. Accepting and eager to hand feed from any of us that have (5 of us). I am not sure of the legalities of it in my area, but my new friends at the shop were trusting in my ability and if I had any issues (more than a 10% weight change or feeling uncomfortable) to bring him up to them immediately and they will continue his care until he is ready.

I understand it could be completely my fault he regressed. It was about 4 days of refusal of hand-feed at that point I brought him home. It was a pet shop and they weaned him onto seed. Some people brought in fruits and veggies and I cooked for he and his brother. I felt that he would be better coming home with me than weaning to seed. Maybe it was wrong of me? I really hope not. I have no issues with the regression except for the fact that I don't want to scar him for life by bringing him home too early.

He's such a happy, gentle guy, plus I work from home so have plenty of time to work with him

 

[coltfire]

I agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly. i thought about bringing him home early due to the stress the was enduring there. It was also stress that made him immediately compatible with my cat and dog and other people.

He was raised by people I've gotten to know over the past month and since he was refusing hand-feeding and they knew of my concern, and knowing I have hand fed him, made them trust me in my decision to bring him home only after a few days of refusals. He was also eating wonderfully when I brought veggies.

I was nervous at first but he was great. Accepting and eager to hand feed from any of us that have (5 of us). I am not sure of the legalities of it in my area, but my new friends at the shop were trusting in my ability and if I had any issues (more than a 10% weight change or feeling uncomfortable) to bring him up to them immediately and they will continue his care until he is ready.

I understand it could be completely my fault he regressed. It was about 4 days of refusal of hand-feed at that point I brought him home. It was a pet shop and they weaned him onto seed. Some people brought in fruits and veggies and I cooked for he and his brother. I felt that he would be better coming home with me than weaning to seed. Maybe it was wrong of me? I really hope not. I have no issues with the regression except for the fact that I don't want to scar him for life by bringing him home too early.

He's such a happy, gentle guy, plus I work from home so have plenty of time to work with him

no Nicci under the circumstance i would and did do exactly the same thing for the same reason 13 years ago, with the stuff he does not like just keep offering it to him, i know its a waste at first but it is stuff he needs in his diet, it sounds like your doing a great job, just keep up the love.

 

[sodakat]

Feed him all he will eat as often as he will eat and keep food in his dishes all the time. Babies rarely call out unless it is for food. They mumble as they are going to sleep, but calling is for FOOD.