Feeling overwhelmed with newborn

[Jendrw5]

I have a 6 week old, and since dh went back to work, I've found it very overwhelming, just me and baby in the house. I've always had a tendency to overthink things but with the unpredictability of a baby I'm doing this every day, worrying that he's having too much sleep or not having enough, and worrying about settling him, which can sometimes be a challenge, or what to do with him if he's very awake but not hungry.
Just wondering if anyone else has felt this way and if, and when, it got better?
I'm hoping that as he gets older he'll be able to stay up more during the day and be more interactive so we can fill our day more which will distract me from worrying about everything.

Oh OP is this your first? With naps you can either let them do as they like or download an app such as Napper which will help point you into more of a routine. It does get easier and you’ll realise at some point that life is better. With my second that was 5 months, with my first probably 9/10 months.

You’re not alone though, having some mum friends either on social media or in person would help a lot.

Yes, its my first. I generally just let him nap when he wants, don't really track it but sometimes he goes hours between naps which always worries me even though he seems quite content with it 😅

I doubt that there's a parent in the country who hasn't felt overwhelmed with a newborn baby at some point! He's still very little, but you'll soon get to know each other and work out a way forward. As above, find yourself some new mums to befriend - and enjoy your baby.

Agree with others I felt very overwhelmed with my first. Definitely get out as much as you can. Go to playgroups, baby groups etc. To me them places are more for mums than babies especially for the first 6 months or so.
Try not to overthink babies sleep. With both of mine I let them just sleep when they wanted. By about 4/5 months I notice a trend that they naturally developed of a morning and afternoon nap so started having more set times then.
Congratulations OP it's still early days. Just make sure you talk to others about how you feel and try to get some occasional time to yourself

The best advice I had was look at the baby, not the clock. If they seem to be getting tired or hungry then feed them or get them to sleep. If they seem content, they are.

It does get a bit easier mentally when they start engaging with the world more.

I remember feeling like this with my first. Like they forgot to send the manual home from the hospital with the baby. Trust your instincts and do what works for you/your baby there is no right and wrong.