we've got a litter which are 5 weeks old they've been on puppy food for 8 days but mum has stills got milk. we're finding it difficult to balance milk production and demand. any suggestions please?

The mum will produce less milk gradually as the pups become more reliant on solid food. If you let her decide how much she'll let them feed you don't run the risk of her getting mastitis. I would expect her to still be giving them the occasional 'top-up' at 7 weeks, when they are on 5 solid meals a day, so that when they leave she'll be just about dry.
Hope this helps.
:)

the odd thing is she knows best once we stop interfering everything will be good. Thanks for your help again.

Philip Sharpe