male cat carrying for kittens??

Question
I have 2 cats, a female and a male. The female just had a litter of kittens 10 days ago. The past 2 nights the daddy has been getting closer and closer to the kittens. He is now sleeping in the pen with them and the momma, and today i witnessed him "cleaning them" and the mom just sat there and watched. Is this normal? He doesn't seem to be being aggressive, but i fear he is licking them too hard because they whine, but not loudly enough to be that "owe!" cry.. The kitttens also appeared to be trying to find breast on him to eat from, and when i put the mom in there with them, she refused to lay down and feed, and kept trying to run away. I was just woundering if this is normal or if i should not let him do this. I would hate for him to hurt them or cause problems with the mom carrying for them.

Answer
Candice,

This is all well and good and natural (since they are probably his kittens)!  BUT, usually about when the kittens are 4-6 weeks of age, the mama often has what is called a lactation season and is bale to be bred and get pregnant!  So, I would keep them separated at least until the kittens are weaned.

The rule of thumb for breeding a female after she has just had a litter is to wait at least 3 months + one month for every kitten nursed.  We usually wait a year.  The only time this does not apply is if the female has 3 very hard heats in succession, then she should be bred.

Best regards.. Norm.