We leave mama in with her pups up to 3 weeks normal... after 3wks we have a small table with a pad on it.. that she can get up on.. to get a break from pups... we do that till 5 weeks.. now we cage them apart... I dont work.. but we do this while gone somewhere.. and at night....I would think on lunch break.. you might want to run over and let them feed for a bit... till 6wks.