So 'D' date is approaching,and I'm just making sure I can get things straight in my own head. First 4 weeks hubby and I will be taking 12 hour shifts so that Mum and pups are never left alone,then I am back at work,so we have my parents to sit shifts when I am not there - then I'm off for another week.
When do you usually leave the pups alone during the night ? or not even alone - but sleep next to them rather than watching them 24 / 7 ? by 5/6 weeks,once weaned can I risk just sleeping downstairs with them rather than staying up 24 hours watching ?
What is everyones thoughts on this ? what works best for you?

I think it very much depends on breeds and th individual bitch.

With a first time Mum in my breed that weighs just 20kg and pups are pretty sturdy I am quite happy to ease of the supervising when their eyes are open.

In fact if Mum is obviously careful then after the first week with a maiden dn 4 days or so with experienced Mu being within earshot (baby monitor or close by) is quite enough.

I know that in some breeds the bitches are so clumsy and or heavy that some breeders don't even let the pups stay  with Mum but bring them to her for feeding and have them in a box by the bitch (no way would my girls put up with that).

By three weeks mine are in a puppy pen with the adult's coming and going into them if they wish and Mum happy to allow it, certainly by this age I can go shopping, etc.

From then on it's an endless round of changing bedding, poop scooping, feeding, then letting outside bringing inside, getting cleaned and dried, let out again, cleaning their quarters, disinfecting and on it goes from 6am to Midnight. etc.

Brilliant , thank you for the advice - mine are a clumsy breed and very heavy ( mum is 65k ) so i will play it by ear and see how we go!

Wow I would take breed specific advice, especially from those who owned the bitches of her lien.

Yes I shall.I was not thinking of leaving them at all until they were weaned and clumsy Mum could not be a problem - and even then would not leave them,but at least sleep next to them rather than being awake