I have a thriving litter of  4 weeks old. The forum was very helpful and supportive during the early days but now just want a little bit of advice on weaning and clipping the claws. I have started weaning and feeding twice a day on mushed up Hill Science Plan food but just want some idea of how much they should be eating at this stage. Also I am finding the weekly claw clipping session quite an ordeal with them wriggling whilst I am trying to cut them (I'm petrified of cutting their paws!!). Does anybody have any advice on techniques or equipment that I can use to ease the stess!

Once again thanks for previous help.

When I clip my pups claws I try and make sure I have someone who can hold the pup while I clip the claws, I get the other person to hold the pup close to their chest facing outwards and get them to hold the back legs with one hand and the front legs with the other hand, they do tend to wriggle around but I find it easier having someone help! If no one is around I try and wrap the pup in a blanket just leaving the front paws clear so that I can clip them. then the back ones holding them firm but not squashing the pup.
When I weaned my pups at 3wks I used puppy porridge and just made a big tray full, then gradually increased the amount as the pups grew and then increased the food to 4 to 5 times a day and when they became more active I fed them with individual bowls to make sure they all got a fair share.
Good luck with you adorable pups, what colours do you have?

Try having a litter of 15 that need their nails doing   I used to do mine when they were really sleepy, either leaving them where they were and doing their nails whilst they were asleep, or getting a helper to gently hold them while I did the nails.  You might find that weekly is not quite enough - I don't know about your breed, but mine seemed to need doing more often.

I usually start weaning at about 3 weeks.  I meal on the first day, 2 on the second, up to 5 meals a day by 4 weeks.  As to amount, I am guided by how much they eat.  If it all goes, I put a bit more down next time.  I like to have a little bit left over after a meal, then you know that all the pups have had their chance to eat as much as they want.  And remember to have water available all the time now you are giving them complete food.

PS I'd remove the breed if I were you - it's against TOS to name your breed of puppy, but you could give a guide as to the adult's size.
Best wishes with your babies
Carina

With regard to cutting nails - I've only got 4 so it's not too bad!  I try and get them when they are asleep on my daughters lap.  When they are comatose lying upside down it's quite easy to give them a good trim without having a wriggly puppy to contend with!  I don't know what others use but I use baby scissors which are less likely to cause any harm.  These are probably ok for a small breed like mine and yours but might not be strong enough on larger breeds x

I find human toenail clippers fine for baby pups of my medium size breed until abotu 8 weeks.  tehn I use the normal guilotine dog ones.

when the pups are still very young i just nip the hooks off with my teeth.

for their nails i use a baby pair of toe nail clippers and cut off the hook

I found that claw clipping was a 2 person job!!  You need to have both hands free to hold paw with one and clip with other!!  I used "human" nail clippers just to take the points off the nails.  These worked fine whilst they were little.

i do all nail clipping whilst they sleep...they never stir!

Thank you all for you advice. I have managed (quite easily this time) with the help of my daughter to clip the claws. Sorry but got another question now. The puppies are a bit smelly!! I have been wiping them down with a damp sponge after each feeding session, changing the bedding several times a day but the do seem to 'pen and ink' a bit! Does anybody have any advice?

Well done, you've managed it !! I have a few pairs of Cat nail clippers which are fabulous of doing puppies, they are like a little pair of scissors with a small groove in, so easy to use. If they are really stinky and sticky I would bath them.

Debbie

with my puppies (and this a job that takes 2) I get a bowl of warm water with Johnson baby bath in it, and give them a quick plunge and towel them until dry, I always do this in a very warm room or in front of the fire, some love it and others not so keen, but never suffered any ill effects. You will find they smell delicious ( well for about 5 mins).  Good luck