You should start getting the puppy to feed just as soon as you can, squeeze one of your bitches nipples to express a bit of milk and rub the puppies nose around it, he will soon get the idea and start suckling. The milk at this stage is very important (the colostrum), it contains all the antibodies to all the diseases which the bitch has encountered also those which she has been vaccinated against so the first 12-36 hours is critical to get them feeding.

Immunity through Colostrum

Dogs, like many other mammals, pass the majority of the mother's antibodies to the newborn via colostrum. Defined as the first 24 hours of milk flow following birth, colostrum is a highly concentrated mixture of large protein antibody molecules, vitamins, electrolytes, and nutrients.
The puppy absorbs these antibodies into his blood system through the intestinal wall. The absorption of such large protein molecules unchanged across the intestinal wall is one of the peculiarities of newborns. As animals mature, their digestive systems hydrolyze protein molecules. This is a process in which a molecule of water is added to a protein molecule, breaking it into smaller sections. Newborn puppies, through some process that we do not quite understand, are able to absorb the large antibodies unchanged. This is important because if the antibodies are hydrolyzed and broken down into small pieces, they lose their ability to destroy bacteria or viruses. Usually, before the puppy is one day of age, he loses this ability of absorption, and all large proteins are hydrolyzed. Therefore, even if the mother continued to produce colostral antibodies, they would be destroyed and not provide any protection to the young animal.
It is important that we now clarify one often-misunderstood point. As stated, colostrum with its antibody protection is only present in the first 24 hours of milk flow and newborns can only gain colostral immunity if they nurse during that time frame, and they are less than one day old. After that, it makes no difference how much or how little they nurse, they will not receive any more antibodies.
Many breeders and pet owners believe that as long as the puppy is nursing, she is gaining more protection. Wrong. Others feel that by allowing older puppies to nurse on a new mother immediately after she gives birth will give the young animals another dose of antibodies. Wrong again. Remember, the newborns cannot absorb antibodies after their digestive tract loses the ability to absorb large unaltered protein molecules. All the protection the animal has is what she received in that first day of life.
Without receiving large quantities of colostrum, a newborn's chances of survival are greatly reduced. It is not only a source of protection and nutrition, it is just as important in maintaining the fluid level of the young animal. To function correctly, the cardiovascular system (i.e., the heart and blood system) needs a high volume of fluid. Newborns are properly hydrated when their mucous membranes such as gums are moist. Water makes up 75-80% of the newborn's body weight. Dehydration is a serious condition in puppies.
The amounts of antibodies that are present within the milk are directly proportional to the levels of antibodies present in the mother. We often speak of 'titers' as a way to quantify the levels present in an animal. Tests are run on blood from the animal in question and, in simple terms, the higher the titers, the more antibodies are present. Mothers with high titers pass higher concentrations of immunoglobulins across the placenta and through their milk. Newborns that have taken milk with larger quantities of antibodies are able to absorb more antibodies, and therefore, have higher concentrations in their blood. Since protein molecules break down slowly and at different rates, newborns that start out with higher levels of these colostral molecules carry this protection for longer periods of time. This explains why we want to be sure the bitch has a high antibody titer before breeding, since she will be able to pass more protection to her young. The young will then possess higher levels of protection for longer periods of time against the diseases that we commonly vaccinate for such as canine distemper, canine parvovirus, and canine coronavirus.

It is extremely important that puppies receive colostrum in the first 24 hours of their lives. It provides protection, nutrients, vitamins, and fluid for the animal. Making sure a newborn receives colostrum will give it a great start on the way to a happy and healthy life.

Feeding Newborn Puppy/Puppies

The first milk that a puppy gets from the mother is important for overall health and antibody development with the puppy's own body. When the mother is unable to nurse, the puppy does not receive this essential component, however if they are cared for properly and routinely they will eventually build up their own defences, just not with the extra boost from Mom.
When feeding newborn puppies always buy newborn puppy formula from either a vet, breeder or from a pet store. Never use milk for human consumption such as cow's milk or goat's milk unless you have no other option. Cow's milk can be especially problematic as it contains lactase, which dog's do not have the enzymes to digest. Cow's milk will cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs and can be fatal to puppies as these conditions result in dehydration.
Puppy formula is typically sold in a powdered form and needs to be mixed with water in very specific and measured ratios. It also should be mixed only as needed or only on a daily basis to prevent any type of contamination or spoilage. If you have to store the formula between feedings do so in the fridge in a sealed container and warm up to room temperature before feeding.
Use a pet-nurser bottle available at a vet's office, or in a pinch you can use a bottle for human newborns. Avoid using an eyedropper, because the puppy or kitten cannot suck at it and the milk might accidentally get drawn into the lungs.

When To Feed

A newborn puppy needs to be fed multiple times per day and through the night. Most newborn puppies or puppies up to about four to six weeks of age will feed between 10 and 12 times per day, or roughly about every two hours. As puppies mature and grow they will feed less frequently but eat a bit more. Newborn puppies have very tiny stomachs and their bodies have to learn how to digest and process food. Offering formula every two hours is the best possible option for newborn puppies, however not every puppy will always be interested in eating at exactly the two hour mark.

After each feeding help the tiny puppy to burp after each feeding. Then wash its abdomen and genitals with warm water to stimulate urination and defecation. Gently dry then rub the puppy.

Emergency CPR In Newborn Puppies

If a puppy is born and is not breathing, follow the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) directions outlined below. Have one person contact your veterinarian for help.

• 1. Clear the airway. Hold the puppy's head downward to allow gravity to help drain fluid from the mouth, throat, and lungs. Use a suction bulb to remove any fluid from the airway.
  
• 2. Give two or three little puffs of air into the puppy's mouth and nose. In order to do this, your mouth needs to close around the puppy's mouth and nose. Do not give large breaths, as the puppy's lungs can be easily damaged. Be aware that some diseases such as Brucellosis may result in weak or dead puppies and may be transmitted to humans through contact with the puppy or fluids.
  
• 3. Check for a heartbeat; feel the chest wall between your fingers or use a stethoscope. If no heartbeat is found, compress the chest in the area right at the back of the bent elbow. This is the approximate location of the heart. Press the chest between the thumb and forefinger. Compress quickly. Remember a newborn puppy's normal heart rate is 120-180+ beats per minute.

Every 15-20 seconds, give another couple puffs of air

Each minute check for a heartbeat/breathing. If the heart is beating slowly, stimulate the puppy by rubbing it roughly (but carefully) with a towel, turning it over in your hands, or holding it by its scruff. This puppy needs stimulation and may need you to give it a few breaths of air in order for it to live. Continue to work with puppy for 20 minutes to see if it can be saved.

If the heart is not beating, continue the CPR for about 5 minutes.