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Parenting

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Original poster

FTM 10 Week old help

4 replies

Lulusunflowers · 27/02/2026 17:47

As the title suggests i'm a first time mumma to my beautiful 10 week old boy.
I love being a mum for the most part but hate to admit that atm i'm struggling. I have a serious velcro baby.
Since he was born he will only sleep on myself or my hubby. While initially i soaked up the cuddles it's now getting really impractical and honestly exhausting.
We're currently trying at least one nap a day in his crib. He sometimes goes down okay but wont last more than about 20 mins. Or other times the minute he's put down he will instantly wake.
I'm persistant and will keep trying, re soothe and pop back in ect but eventually after a time I will give up and just contact nap as I need him to get some sleep.
Also during his wake windows he is only really content to not be in my arms for about 15 mins tops and then cries, but will be content being held while awake.
Should also say i do pop him in the carrier to try and get some things done while he naps but often it will wake him so i just end up sitting still.
On the whole it's just really taking it's toll which I hate saying as motherhood really is the best thing ever.
I guess the point of my post is to get some reassurance that it will get better or if anyone has any tips?
TIA xx

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AshHeart · 27/02/2026 17:52

My first was exactly like that. I took to keeping them in a sling whilst I got on with my daily chores. I also had a cot with the side down next to our bed at night so I could touch them. From memory it was quite some time before they were happy to be left alone but it will get better, I promise.

On the positive side my second child was the complete opposite!

SleafordSods · 27/02/2026 18:42

My first was like this. Whilst what you’ve described coukd be normal baby behaviour, especially in the fourth trimester, it might be worth reading this on Tongue Tie as this was the cause for us

The fourth trimester: What is it and how long does it last? - The Mother Baby Center

The fourth trimester or the postpartum period is the first 12 weeks after baby arrives. It’s an exciting and challenging time for parents and baby.

https://www.themotherbabycenter.org/blog/2023/06/what-is-fourth-trimester/

bouncingblob · 27/02/2026 19:30

Babies are essentially Pavlovian and thrive on routine, because what they know is comforting and what they don't, well, isn't.

He contact naps because that was the routine you established when he was born.

If you want him to stop relying on contact naps then you need to break that routine, and yes, that will involve some uncomfortable moments for you (not for him - he won't remember any of it and will adapt in a few days).

I'm not talking about Ferber or sleep training as he's only 10 weeks, but this is about sleep associations, which are developed from birth. We never, ever contact napped - from birth - and so sleeping independently in the cot has never been an issue. If we tried to contact nap, it simply doesn't work, and he'll cry and want to be put down in his cot.

It's all about associations and if you want to change then you have to build new ones.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

0-3 months old Babies & sleep Children's sleep Families

DesertRome5 · 27/02/2026 20:24

My son was like this. Had to hold him on my chest to sleep. It was CMPA causing silent reflux.

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