To want to cuddle my newborn

[workingmummyof2soontobe3]

My baby is 5 weeks old, he’s my third baby and likes to be held. Constantly. My other two would let me put them down while I was making tea, doing housework etc but I’m attached to my baby all day everyday. My husband is doing everything around the house but I’m normally the one doing all the housework so it’s a bit of a challenge for me to sit back and watch. I am secretly enjoying lazing around with my newborn on my chest though. I do however keep getting a lot of comments about how I’m creating a clingy baby and making a rod for my own back. The alternative is to listen to him cry all day which I’m not prepared to do but I do worry he will never let me put him down ever again (irrational I know)

So please tell me how you spent the first few months with your newborns and when you was able to get on with off jobs again and do you miss those early days of cuddles?

Mine was like this! Some children need physical reassurance morethan others, just give him what he needs and ignore morons who mutter about making a ‘rod for your own back.’ A woman in my NCT class was always saying that, and talking about how to ‘control’ her child. She did her thing I did the nonstop cuddles. Six years on my child is the most loving and kind person ever, and her child is… Not. No friends at school. Do the cuddles.

Both of mine lived on me for their first few months, now they can barely stand a cuddle. Enjoy ☺️

What I mean is, they’re very loving and affectionate, but won’t let me hug them for very long anymore.

Cuddle away! And smell their head. And shower them in kisses. I’m currently cuddling my 10 week old ❤️

My first was like that!

I used to call her baby gym "my breakfast" because it was the only time I had a good 20min to cook/eat without her being on my lap. She slept on top of me until 3 months old.

You won't get these early weeks back, cuddle him as much as he wants and enjoy every moment.

My 2nd dd loved being cuddled and at age 6 still loves it, she'd happily spend all day on my lap, she's super independent at school and with friends so all the cuddling hasn't created a clingy child.

Cuddle away. I have two children. One baby I felt 'proud' I had taught to nap alone and self settle ....

This baby who is our last I cuddled every moment I could as a newborn and this baby is very settled smiley baby who currently touch wood largely sleeps through the night.

Might not be connected but maybe as he had so much cuddling he is a happy secure contented baby? Or we are just very lucky!

I Don’t know about this actually...I’m pregnant with baby number 4 and I’m planning on putting my baby down a lot more this time. My first 1st and 3rd I had them in a sling all day and it got me so stressed as I just couldn’t put them down, and if I did they cried. It just seemed unfair on the other siblings as I struggled to pick them up, or do craft, or baking with them..there’s only so much you can do with a baby in a sling! My 2nd i put down more as I kinda had to, my older one was only 18 months and needed physical assistance still. And number 2 was (And is) SO much easier. And I enjoyed her more tbh.

Some babies are born clingy. Enjoy the cuddles.

I cuddled and held my son for 3 years.. I even con-slept, despite swearing I would never do such a thing.I carried him on my back in a soft sling and even cooked with him on my back for years.... If i'm honest it suited us, he was very tactile. He's now a strapping 5ft10 nearly 14 year old. Well adjusted, very independent and intelligent young man.

I treasure those years.

PS. his older sister hated being held as a baby!!!

I had one of those and gave him all the cuddles in the world. He is now a toddler who won’t sit still on me, my cuddles are around 5 secs so enjoy those cuddles. You can’t spoil a baby with love and cuddles

Congratulations.
Just enjoy it. I wish I did instead of listening to everyone elses bullshit on parenting. He is so tiny just let him be, he will be all grown up before you know it.

The “rod for your own back” saying is nuts, where did that even come from?! Of course tiny babies should have as many cuddles as they want. My 2nd DC was super clingy and the house was a mess, I wish I’d fretted less and just enjoyed it more.

Enjoy it! You're giving your baby what he needs and making him feel safe and loved. Don't listen to that archaic bullshit, all babies are different and have different needs - you are atill building a bond.

An update on the sling if anyone’s in the same situation- what a little god send that is. We’ve had cuddles all day and I’ve been able to get stuff done, only a couple of screaming fits when in the car for school run and trip to tesco 😃 one of which I thought he might combust! But other than that a happy baby and he’s even gone longer between feeds all day (normally every 2 hours)

@Wearywithteens

I did the same with my 3rd (and last baby) - I never wanted it to end, I loved it, and as a knackered mother of 3 young ones all the sitting down was great. I don’t know if it’s coincidence though, but she has turned out to be the clingiest and neediest of my children, and the least independent. Still likes a cuddle at 16!

I could have written this!

My no.3 is 21 now though and yes, still very much a 'centre of the family' girl.

My third baby was the one I sat and cuddled most as a small baby as she was quite clingy. She was also a clingy toddler who hated being left with anyone. That baby is now 15 and she is the one I'm closest to, the one who still gives me cuddles and worries about me out of the four (in a healthy way, not anxious). So yes, building a bond is good :).

I held DS constantly until I went back to work when he was 13 months and then I’d hold him constantly when I got home. I’m only really getting jobs done properly now he’s at school.

I was able to get on with things as per normal but was shattered. First few weeks I cldnt do much as I had emcs both times so recovery was difficult.

First born wasn't that bothered about cuddles and she slept well in her next to me bed or Moses basket during the day. Slept through from 6wks and was super happy. She's a very cuddly, sweet 4 yr old now.

Second born wasn't one that wanted to be held all day but didn't sleep well first few months and often had to be held during the night which was difficult. I was very sleep deprived. We often co slept from early on just to get some sleep. She didn't really go in to her own bed until about 8/9 months old.

Both didn't really cry much when they were little. Youngest is 18 months and making up for it now 🙈

Making a rod....at five weeks old?!

Honestly whoever tells you that tell em to get a grip. You can’t spoil a newborn baby for crying out loud.

Never putting down a 2 year old might be cause for concern but a five week old - nah!