I forgot how much newborns want to be held

[theprincessthepea]

I’ve had my second baby, who is only 4 weeks old but I forgot just how much newborns want to be held. When I put him down (usually after a nappy change and feed and 20 mins sitting up right to make sure everything has gone down and he is asleep) he will sleep for about 5 mins in his cot before crying.

I’ve bought a sling to use at home but he is such a wiggly baby! My other hand is constantly supporting his head.

Partners paternity leave ended last week and so the daytimes are challenging but evenings are fine.

I don’t mind sitting there and holding him but it’s the tiny things like making myself a tea or food or expressing or going toilet. I have a teen and find from 4pm onwards I’m consumed with her needs until about 9ish when she goes to bed (I don’t have to be but I also seem to feel guilty that our relationship has change).

Anyway I’d love tips on how I can have my arms for a little longer with a newborn in the mornings.

No advice here but I’m going through the exact same thing- second baby, also 4 weeks old and wants to be held constantly.
Lovely when I can sit and cuddle him, not so lovely when I have something to do, need to eat, go to toilet or give attention to first born. My husband also returned to work last week so days are long and night feeds are exhausting.

Hope the little one eases up for you soon!

Thanks for sharing. It’s good to hear from others. You’ve reminded me that it’s quite nice to have an excuse for everyone else to run around whilst we have our cuddles. It is the tiny everyday things.

I hope yours gets into a routine too. I’m constantly being reminded rhah it gets easier as they phase our the newborn stage:

It’s exhausting. It sounds like you need a different type of sling if you’re need to use a hand to support his head. Is a sling library you can visit or some places do online hires. I found a Manduca (suitable for newborns) better than stretchy new born style slings.

Congrats!

My second is currently 10weeks.

The baby is fine to put down somewhere safe and have a cry whilst you make a cuppa or go to the toilet.

As pp I would look into another sling as their head should be supported.

Some days my DD sleeps better in her pram so I will push/sway it till she's asleep and leave her in it.

It’s exhausting, I remember it well. Can DH make your lunch before he leaves for work each day so at least you don’t have to do that? Try a different sling if you can and try to get out of the house if possible. It is so tiring but not forever

Learning to tie my baby onto my back with a wrap sling (just a v big piece of v strong cloth) was an absolute game changer. I live in a v multicultural area so could learn from a local mum, but I bet there are YouTube videos. I always did it over the bed just in case, and had a mirror hung so I could check the baby’s position.

I remember going for lots of walks as both mine didn't mind being in the pram.

Ergobaby embrace is a brilliant sling for newborns. Very supportive, easy to put on and comfy for both of you. I could chase my toddler around soft play with my newborn in it and she didn't budge.

If you have a well fitting and supportive sling, you should be able to do all of those things with baby in it - my little one is 6 months, I still go to the loo with him in the sling if he’s asleep and I don’t want to wake him! The only things I can’t do are load and unload the washing machine, use the oven (blast of hot air), and hoover!

Honestly the babybjorn harmony has changed my life. Give it a try at John Lewis!

I had a really nice baby bjorn bouncy chair that gave me the most hands free moments when they were tiny because it cradled them in a soft embrace. I would swaddle them in a soft blanket. But I mostly ended up carrying them around or trying a sling. It gets better when they can hold their heads more. It all gets easier as they get bigger.

Try not to feel too guilty about your teen though. Chat you can do from any position!