Grumpy baby!

[MummyJetsetter]

My dd is 7 weeks old and cries a lot! Don't remember my ds being like it as a baby, I could put him down on his gym or bouncy chair for hours and he was happy but dd just cries when put down and I haven't got the time to hold her all day long! I don't want to carry her in a sling either as I like to promote self settling and being content with at least a little bit of alone time.

On the plus side she does settle herself to sleep at night and only feeds once in the night now then goes straight back to sleep so it's not all bad just cries when she's awake!

I think most babies are like this, maybe you were very lucky first time round! I've never had a baby that you can 'put down for hours' anyway! Both mine have needed to be held constantly and DS1 needed to be in motion all the time so I couldn't even sit down with him! It's hard going, especially when you have an older child to look after too so I do sympathise. It's not going to last forever but for now I'd abandon any 'self settling' and settle her however she needs. She's a tiny tiny baby, a few weeks ago she was still inside you. She won't always be like it but the more you comfort her and build up her trust in you now, the less clingy she will be in the long run.

She's only 7 weeks, she is clearly trying to communicate with you that she needs you more. I would definitely try a sling - there is plenty of time or her learning to 'self settle' when she's a bit older. Have a look at the Fpurth Trimester stuff, it might help you understand why she won't settle without you. All babies are different, some need more reassurance and contact with you and I really believe it is our responsibility to recognise and respond to that.

Good luck though, I know how wearing it can be, especially with another little one commanding attention as well!

Thanks ladies! Good to know that it's normal, was a bit worried that she's just miserable! Guess I had it easy first time, don't get me wrong he had plenty of off days and many many phases that were difficult, especially when it's your first and don't realise that things are just phases until they end! Or maybe I've just forgotten and he was just the same, it has been nearly 4 years! It is much easier to cope with things this time as I know things don't last forever. She is excellent at self settling at bed time so can't complain, she goes down awake at 7 and goes straight to sleep most nights, sometimes she'll have a good wriggle before dozing off. X

OP-I came onto mumsnet this eve to basically write the same post! Whilst I obviously don't wish a crying baby on you, it has selfishly made me feel better than what we're going through is not abnormal! My DS (first baby) is 6 weeks old and exactly the same. Cries all the time when awake but actually pretty good at night. Hopefully it is indeed just a phase...a short one! Good luck x

Ahh bobian it is reassuring hearing from others! If this is your first just realise that basically anything bad or hard usually is a phase so try to stay sane when you have a stubborn little one waking at 4 every morning! It doesn't take long before they're on to the next phase! Hope your stops the crying soon too! x

Thanks! I'm def hoping its a phase :-) x

I'm sure it will be! Had a fantastic day yesterday by the way! She smiled loads, hardly niggled and last night she did a 6 hour stretch of sleep! Today she was back to screaming every time I left the room! Oh well, it'll pass! x

My 5 month old DD was exactly the same! She was sleeping through from 8 weeks but did nothing but fuss and cry ALL DAY!!!! I would get so sick of people telling me that it would get better.. But it seemed like turning on a switch at the 12 week mark!
She was still fussy, but I was able to put her in her bouncy chair for 5 mins to wash the dishes! Unfortunately she can't keep her eyes off the TV, so I try her playmat etc to keep her attention!
Don't get me wrong, she's still hard work at times. I struggle with cafés etc but I can now put her on her changing mat at home with her nappy off and chat to her for 30 mins. She would have cried after 2 mins before.
It WILL get better, but I know how bloody frustrating it is...

Newborns are extremely sensible. They know that their bodies and brains need loads of physical contact (for oxytocin generation) to develop properly, so they cry to be held/picked up/carried. It's what they need, and it's the best thing for them. Slings are where it's at. You can promote self-settling at seven months but seven weeks is too tiny.