I remember the newborn days so well. When I think back on those days, all I remember is mostly high pitched crying, all day - everyday. It was hard. It was scary and it was lonely. I was the first person to have a baby within my immediate (small) friendship group and my nephew was a calm and easy-going baby. It was hard constantly wondering what I was doing wrong.
I came across this and I guess it's what I needed to hear back when I was in the trenches:
'If you hold a baby to sleep,
They might get used to your comfort.
If they get used to your comfort, they might expect it to be there all the time.
If they expect your comfort, they might cry when it's not available,
and if they cry, you might need to comfort them some more,
and if you comfort them some more, they might think that you're reliable, and if they think that you're reliable, they might expect you to understand them when they feel upset,
and when you understand them when they're upset, they might learn to regulate their emotions,
and if they're able to regulate their emotions,
they might have an easier time forming relationships.
if they have an easier time forming relationships, that might mean they become well-adjusted,
and if they become well-adjusted that might mean they become self-sufficient,
And if they become self-sufficient, chances are they won't need you to hold them to sleep anymore'.
Still not fully past the fussy stage, however - it's important to remind ourselves of the above.
I might pop back on here every few days to remind myself of the above too... on the days where I feel like I'm struggling, for me it puts a lot into perspective