Since my husband was made redundant in November, my daughter(now six months old) has had both parents at home sharing play, feeding, nappy changing duties etc. and thorougly enjoying the attention!
She is generally an incredibly happy baby but will not settle for any length of time with anyone other than me (and this includes my husband), becoming more and more distraught until she is sweating and seems to be breathing with difficulty because the sobbing becomes so heavy. This only stops when she is passed to me, at which point she quietens almost immediately, even though I am not offering a feed as a "bribe".
Whilst I can't deny that this makes me feel very special, it upsets my husband and causes him to feel rejected by the baby girl he loves so much. It is also preventing me from enjoying much time to myself because I know what sort of state she can get into.
As a couple, we have only had one night out together since her birth and she cried for almost the whole time. Unsurprisingly, we are reluctant to try again on the grounds that if my husband is not able to comfort our daughter - especially having been such a large presence in her life - then how will a babysitter? More worryingly, how will a childminder when I return to work in a month? (My husband is actively seeking employment so could have returned to work himself by then).
She's only be six months old and I don't want to do anything that might be interpreted as rejection. That said, I would rather try to nip any potentially manipulative behaviour on her part in the bud!
I'm sure that this is probably the paranoia of a new Mum but any suggestions or advice, particular from those who might have been in a similar position, would be gratefully received.