5 week old doesn't sleep

Oh no, I had one of these types. Eventually they stop. I held mine about 22 hours a day for about 7 months then he turned nice. Eventually it will get easier, and you'll have accidentally made a very well adjusted, emotionally mature child because you met their every need as a small baby and were constantly attached to them. But until then, I send you love and strength. I still come out in a nervous rash when I see small babies.

Hi OP, congratulations on your beautiful bundle. Do you feed baby in an upright position and burp after every oz or so? Sometimes bubs may be fussy with the the bottle because they need a burp and experience discomfort when it’s trapped. I’d also agree with a sling, they are great for pottering around the house and keeping baby close.

I’d say take feeding slow and burp after each oz, as tedious as that may feel, it’ll possibly reduce the fussiness with feeding.

p.s. I used to do ‘around the world’ on my knees, and got the biggest burps.

Interesting how the experience so far here is similar.
Yet, when you read baby books… It is very hard, OP.

What do you actually need to get done that’s urgent? Housework can wait. No harm
in letting them cry for 5 mins while you jumper in the shower if your partner is at work. Just sit yourself on the sofa with loads of snacks watch Netflix and feed your baby. You could also try wearing them in a sling, my baby loves being in the sling. Will they sleep if you take them out for a long walk in the pram?

Sorry you’re having a hard time. My DC was similar. Could put her down, terrible wind! I don’t know what formula you use but Hipp organic made such a difference with both mine in reducing wind. Feed with baby more upright and lots of burping. Just remember, it’s a phase a baby will grow out of it.

Have you tried different bottles and/ or different formula (assuming you’re not expressing)? It sounds like he could have reflux, have you mentioned this to your health visitor or midwife?

Honestly sounds kinda standard of my experience, lots of contact didn't do much apart from care and hold baby. Go to your Local walk in clinic / talk to HV at your 6-8 week review regarding feeding to see if anything might be of concern and definitely go to local sling library and try some out

My baby was the same. Just wanted to be close to me. Which is lovely (he’s still the same) but I had to hand him over (to Daddy) just to get some sleep. He never napped alone, didn’t sleep much at night, stayed up late. A sling worked well.

Totally normal and would actually be stranger if this weren't the case. It's classic fourth trimester behaviour (and I remember it well!) I agree that a stretchy sling is the best way for your baby to get what it needs (to be close to your body and hear your heartbeat) while freeing up your hands!
It does change as they get bigger so try not to fret.

I’m sorry. This is normal but it gets easier, I found the newborn stage so hard.

Do you have a partner or family who can hold baby whilst they sleep? Or trying a sling is a good idea, mine never liked them though. We changed babies formula from the normal one to the comfort one which really helped.

All he knows it being inside a human, hearing her heart beat, feeling comfy in warm amniotic fluid, dark and cosy.

Now he's in the big bad world. So much happening. Noises, different intensity and frequency of light (flashes), smells, textures etc.

He needs his mum close and calm. Just do your best and he'll soon be more independent.

Agree this is pretty standard, he wants to know you're there. A sling can help as others say.

I also recommend a sling. The ergobaby 360 with a newborn insert is very good and suitable for your baby’s age. Mine always fell asleep in theirs. Stretchy wrap also good for sleeping but mine got too heavy for them around 6 months so it was a fairly short term investment.

it may be your baby has some wind / reflux. Sleeping upright in a carrier will help with the reflux. You can lay him on his back and Massage his tummy / bicycle his legs to relieve wind. Look on YouTube for videos.

sending you lots of love, like above posters have said this behaviour isn’t unusual for 5 weeks, the first 6 months are brutal. Don’t worry about where / when he is “meant” to be sleeping. All babies are different and most don’t adhere to the schedules and sleeping places that books say they should be. Just do what it easiest until things get easier themselves x

Sorry you're having such a hard time. Have you got a Health Visitor for any support about the feeding? Could be that he's colicky and so not settling. Is he getting up his wind ok? So difficult to know without seeing him but so exhausting for you. Agree with those saying to use a sling so you have hands free.

Get a sling so your hands are free. Time will help. It's brutal but this is normal for this age

This is hard, I had this and there are no way answers. A sling was an absolute life saver though. Stretchy wrap, he'll prob sleep in that and you can get the odd thing done