when my cat gave birth last may, as soon as she had cleaned them, they went straight to the teats. but as soon as she started to deliver the next ones the existing kitts seemed to be getting in the way. i didn't have a spare box ready (didn't really know what to expect) so i just put them in the corner of the birthing box and barred their way back to mum until the new kitt was cleaned up and settled down. mummy cat seemed to really appreciate this bit of help, and she could still see them and so wasn't worried or stressed out. if somebody had taken my son out of my sight when i had him 3 years ago, i would have torn the hospital apart looking for him, and so i was kinda thinking in these terms for mummy cat too.