5-week-old only sleeps on me, someone remind me it gets easier

[PterodactylTeaParty]

DD is my second baby, and first was rough going as well but I think I’ve blotted out the early weeks.

DD will only sleep at night if she’s on my chest. We already cosleep but it’s not enough contact for her, she has to actually be ON me. I’m spending most of each night trying to coax her into lying down and every time she wakes up between 10-30 minutes later and won’t resettle without being back on my chest. Also, bonus, she’s a very sicky baby and needs to be held upright after night feeds anyway or she throws up.

I don’t think she has reflux. The vomiting doesn’t seem to bother her and she’ll happily lie on her back as long as she’s being held.

I must have been through this with DC1 but I don’t remember the detail, and I’ve been awake most of the night and most of last night and I want to cry with tiredness. Someone please reassure me this gets better.

It does, or else only the people who had unicorn babies who slept from 6 weeks would have more than one child. Remember all the fourth trimester stuff - in a few weeks baby will be out of that stage and will start to sleep on her own for longer periods.

Congratulations on your little one.

DD2 would only sleep on me or DH until she was 8 weeks. I remember feeling so devastated at 6 weeks, because DD1 had improved at 6 weeks. Just keep going. Remember, 'this too shall pass'.

I'm in the exact same situation! DD refuses to sleep/lie on her back for anything longer than 10 minutes. She can manage 15-20 minutes in the swing or bouncer but then...BAM...awake. We also think she has silent reflux as often does pained crying particularly after a feed. GP has prescribed ranitidine (after trying gaviscon) and there may be a slight improvement as we are having more lovely smiley awake moments and less grumpy old man! Please tell me that this does get easier. DD is my first so I feel completely lost.