Baby needs to be held constantly.

[raininginbaltimore]

5 weeks old. I know, I know, she's new and tiny. I'm not trying to leave her alone in her cot or anything. She is happy in the sling. She has been in it all day, with a short break while I showered (she screamed) and travelling in car (she screamed).

So at least 12 hours today of having her pressed against me. I am sweaty, she has a sweaty head. I am now holding her and then will sleep stone still with my arm outstretched as she will only co-sleep (or on her front, that is a different thread) , I will wake with a sore neck again.

I still have weeks before this gets better don't I? I feel so claustrophobic.

Totally normal. Won't last. Might not last for weeks and weeks. Or it might. Or more likely: some days she will want to be held all day, and some days not. But it will pass.

Do you have a DH /DP in the evenings who could do with some of the holding duty?

And read this What Mothers Do as it is wonderfully reassuring about how much you've done all day simply by letting her stay close for 23.9hrs a day,,

Thanks. I have that book from when I had ds, but never finished reading it. Yes have Dh, but he was working tonight, so probably made it seem worse.

We used one of these for co-sleeping, might help?

it'll pass, and you'll miss the cuteness (in a relieved way)

Is your sling nice and comfy? I liked my wrap sling (a Moby wrap).

I know what you mean about the claustrophobia. That book does validate what you are feeling, which is quite encouraging to read.

Thanks, she needs to be actually touching me. It will pass, it will pass...

Yeah have a moby and a close. It has just been really hot here so we have both been sweating in it.

Will read the book.

Bless you. Its so hard! There isn't really an answer other than it will get better! What I would say is that DD2 cries like crazy, like she is properly in pain and in desparate need of me, but because I have to sort out DD1, quite early on I had to leave her cry for a few minutes. And I learnt that the crazy cry actually means she is going to sleep. I never would have known that with DD1 because I never would have left her to cry. So if you do have to leave her, for practical or emotional reasons, she may settle. She may not, but either way she will be fine. Prob not much help. Hang in there. Things will get better.

You have my sympathy. DC3 was exactly the same and although it passes, it is incredibly difficult at the time. Getting something to eat, getting some sleep, giving any attention to other DCs, going to the loo ... Hang on in there

Oh just read properly and see you have a DS. So you know everything I said in my post already! Sorry!

I left her this morning while I dressed DS, and she just gets hysterical. And tonight for 5 mins while I locked myself in bathroom to be away from baby touching and endless toddler questions.

Ds was the same, but I had forgotten.

I have a 5 month old who thankfully does not need the touching but I totally get you on the toddler questions! Had to run into the garden and hide the other day! If I hear 'why' again this week... Take care. You know the script - it will pass. Just bloody hard when you are in the middle of it!