DS won't sleep unless on me

[DeadDoorpost]

DS has been ill with a cold which led to his ear drums bursting. He's currently still dealing with an ear infection. Since this started he has refused to sleep unless on me, despite sleeping in the moses basket beforehand.

He also won't sleep in his bouncer chair or in the cot. I've tried various ways of doing so buy as soon as ive put him down his eyes snap open and the crying that then ensues is heartbreaking; he won't calm down for ages and just continues to work himself up.
I'm losing my mind because I want to be able to get on and do housework and write/get ready for studying again but it's currently impossible.

What makes it worse is that he barely sleeps longer than 3 hours at a time if I'm lucky.

He's 10 weeks old and is my first. Please tell me it gets better than this?

I think you need to adjust your expectations. This is very normal for a 10 week old and indeed may well be for several months to come. The sleeping-anywhere newborn phase often doesn't last long. Lots of us had these expectations of being able to get housework/study done 'while the baby sleeps' and find that in fact much of the first year, or at least first 6 months, your time is fully taken up getting them to go to sleep or stay asleep. And waking 3 hourly at night is not bad at all. Sorry if this wasn't what you wanted to hear but I think you'll find it less stressful if you readjust your expectations of what you can get done during the day, possibly for several months to come. It's totally normal!

His behaviour is normal for a well 10 week old baby never mind a poorly one. Look at getting a sling and consider safe cosleeping.

He is still so tiny at 10 weeks and feeling poorly too. Just let him sleep on you it wont last forever.

My 7mo dd will sleep fine at night but all nap times are on me, I used to get so frustrated with it because I was desperate for her to sleep on her own. I've gotten over it now and enjoy it. It's the only time I have to catch up on tv!

Agree with pp. Just ride it out. I was the exact same as you but there really isnt much you can do. I love cuddling my boy while he sleeps now. Deep breath and just try to enjoy.

Btw
What makes it worse is that he barely sleeps longer than 3 hours at a time if I'm lucky

My DS is 17 weeks old and has been sleeping for 45min intervals at night for 7weeks.....

It does get better but at 10 weeks old he's still very little. You're his comfort at the moment so i'd consider a sling so that you can get on things until he's ready to go back in the moses basket.

My DC are 16 & 13 but they both still cuddle up to me when they're not feeling well!

My dd slept on me for seven years. She was a sickly child.

Welcome to motherhood. A sick ten week old baby needs your comfort.

Have to agree with the other posters. 10 weeks is very young and some just need more contact, poorly or not. And my god, first baby is a shock to the system. I was NOT at all prepared mentally for the endurance test of baby days. It won't be like that forever but lower your expectations for now. Get through one day at a time unscathed and you'll be doing alright. All fed no one dead and all that.

Yea it does get better! But what you are describing is totally normal for a ten week old without an ear infection. Lower your standards. Before you sit down, have something nearby to read for work etc if you like. You can type one handed on a laptop. Sod the housework. Try a sling. It will get easier!

Also my 7mo wakes every 3 hours at night...has done since the day she was born. It's just something you get used to. Suck it up and remind yourself that in a few years time you'll have forgotten all this!

First baby is so hard, I was completely unprepared for the shock of not having one of those perfect babies that is allways happy and sleeps beautifully. When my baby was the complete opposite of this i tried everything to change it...turns out it's just her! And now I try to roll with it as best I can and if I still have days where I don't get out of my pj s because most of the day is spent trying to get her to nap then sod it!

Hi Door!! Hope you are feeling better, even if a bit sleep deprived.

I've currently got the opposite problem. Mine will only sleep in a dark room in his cot. Sounds great? Yeah until you realise I basically can't leave the house because he won't nap on the go and I end up with a hysterical overtired baby.

I'd definitely look into using a sling in the day time. I do symathise with night times, that must be tricky. No magic answers here, I suppose all you can do is cosleep as safely as you can and keep slowly working on getting him into the crib.

Everyone keeps telling me it gets better, but right now, 3 hrs sleep chunks would feel like bliss! Sorry..... (4 month sleep regression and it sucks)

It’s tough for you but it’s very tough for him. A lot of 10 week olds would do all the things you list anyway, one so poorly will need extra care. Get a sling/stretchy wrap ASAP and he can be snuggled on you asleep and you can have both hands free. But sometimes everything has to stop and all hands on deck when you have an ill child. The sleep pattern sounds totally normal as well, they feed so regularly at that age.

Do you have someone else to help with the housework/holding him in the evening? I’d give yourself a break regarding study as well, you aren’t far post birth and really with a vey unwell baby it’s not realistic. Hope he feels better soon poor mite, it must hurt a lot

Thank you all- I wasn't really ready I guess for being a parent so this is a bit of a shock to me, let alone looking after a baby with an ear infection.

I do have DH here in the evenings but sometimes I just feel like he's not doing enough. His work is stressful though, and dangerous so I don't blame him when he's had bad days.

Lemon hello! Yeah, that does seem to be a problem. At least DS is sleeping when we go outside...