hiya my girl is 8 weeks tomorrow and this is her 3rd and final litter. No problems with either pregnancy or whelping before.
as her milk has started to come in one of the lower ( more productive) areas is harder than all of the others and feels quite lumpy to touch.
Is there anything anyone can recommend to help ease this? she doesnt seem in pain, and my vet is closed on a wednesday! Although i will of course ring them if anyone thinks this is a serious condition with only a week to go?

If its the start of Mastitis, warm flannels should help soften the lump a little

Perhaps just becoming a bit engorged, the warm flannels as suggested should help, and you could try gently massaging the hardened area, just to disperse the milk, maybe even letting off a little. Just keep an eye out for it becoming red and hot as this would need antibiotics.

thank you, we used warm flannels last night, the area itself isnt hot, just lumpy, and she isnt showing discomfort, im popping her over to see the vet after hours today just to check