Feral cat & kittens

Question
I have been feeding a an outside cat for approx.6 months trying to gain it's confidence so I could give it a home. The cat is around 9-10 months old.

Well she got pregnant and I knew since I was the cats food source
she would eventually bring the kittens to my home when she would
try to start weening.

She showed up with 4 kittens around 4 weeks olds. I was able to get all the kittens Friday 5/11/12, but, not the MaMa. I have them in my Master Bedroom (I'm sleeping in the Guest Room) bought kitten formula and have been feeding them, washing their tummies & bottoms to get them to go to the bathroom, keeping the room very warm. They are eating well, using the litter box and being very playful.

Trying to catch the MaMa using the babies as bait.

Success! Got the MaMa Sunday, May 13, 2012.

When I go into the Master Bedroom they are all under the bed.

Cat food is being eaten, water being drunk, litter box being used.

My concern is how can I tell if she is nursing her kittens.

How will I know if they are hungry? If I try feeding them Kitten formula and they drink like crazy is that a sign or will I over feed and if they are nursing and I give them formula will they stop nursing?

It would be easier if the MaMa cat were comfortable with me (Will start working on that today).

Also, I am putting out cat food for the kittens )milk shake consistency (different from Mom's food) which I saw one of the kittens eating. How can I be sure the kittens aren't eating all of the food and MaMa's not getting any.

Sorry this is so long, but, I want to make sure they are all getting enough food.

Thank you so much for your help.

Answer
Hi Liz,
Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. Have a house full of feral kitties I am trying to tame. The kittens should be eating on their own now. If you give them milk shake consistency food they will have diarrhea. Just give them regular food,(kitten type). They will be fine with that. Don't worry about Mom not eating. She will be first in line to eat. And if she is pregnant, eating kitten food for her will be fine. Set out a large self feeder for the kits and Mom. That way you will know that they all are able to eat what they need. Hope you are able to tame the kits. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen