5 weeks & always wanting to be held...HELP!!!?

Question

my baby is 5 weeks old and she always wants to be held. If i put her down she is crying. If i pick her up and cuddle her she is fine. What can i do to get her to like being in her swing and her bouncer? I feel like i can't get anything done anymore. PLEASE HELP....

I LOVE MY DAUGHTER VERY MUCH. I DON'T LEAVE HER CRYING. THATS WHY I ASKED IS THERE ANYTHING TO HELP FROM HER CRYING..GOSH PPL DON'T HAVE TO BE SOO DERN RUDE... I LOVE TO HOLD MY BABY..BUT I CAN'T HOLD HER ALL DAY LONG LIKE SHE WANTS ME TO. SO DON'T LEAVE A COMMENT IF YOUR GOING TO BE RUDE ABOUT THE SITUATION.AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN I WILL REGRET THE WAY I FEEL, I DON'T FEEL ANYTHING BUT HAPPINESS IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF HER.

Answer 1

I know this is going to be gut wrenching for you , I had to go through it w/ my own 2 children, but if you need to get somthing done, and there is no one else to handle the baby, then put the baby down in the crib and do what you have to do and then pick her back up when you are done, but make sure you check on her every few minutes

Answer 2

Please don't let her cry it out - I can't imagine how a 5 week old baby feels who is put down and cries to get your attention and you don't come when she cries until she has cried so much and so hard that she finally falls asleep from exhaustion. She will only be this little once - I promise you can not "spoil" a 5 week old. My daughter is 3 months now and she can entertain herself for short periods of time - she has started self soothing by sucking on her fingers instead of a Paci - developmentally a 5 week old just isn't able to self sooth - just give her a few more weeks and what a difference you will see! I second the suggestions of the sling or baby carrier - I wore my daughter until she was about 8 weeks and everyday now she gets a little more independant. It gets better!!! Enjoy her, it won't be like this forever - and believe it or not you will probably miss it!!

Answer 3

This is really really normal and totally okay for baby's development. Remember that baby has been inside you for so long, the idea of separation is impossible for her to grasp right now. To get through this time, when my baby was newborn, I used baby carriers so I could move along, she was happy, and I could still get stuff done. She did take to her swing eventually, and her bouncy chair (if I was bouncing it with my foot) but ultimately she was (and still is) happiest when she is with people, and it's normal and okay. In time she will take small amounts of time away from you a little better. She needs you, she's just expressing it. It can be difficult on your personal space but try and remember that if you felt scared and alone you would want someone there holding and comforting you as well. I decided to sleep with my daughter after she was born, at the beginning mainly because I had a cesarean and didn't have the strength to walk and pick her up but really - she slept better, i slept better, and I didn't have to get up to nurse her when she woke up in the middle of the night. It just made everythign easier and smoother for all of us.

Answer 4

Your son might be crying for a number of reasons. Colic/wind? Constipation? It is perfectly normal for a baby to cry - they are babies afterall!

I don't know if you are already but if your not it might be worth trying to swaddle him. This is where you take a blanket and fold it into half to form a triangle. Place baby at the top in the middle of the straight but then bring one corner over and tuck it under the baby then wrap the other corner round.

Babies can't control their arms and when they feel their arms flapping about they get a fright.. It also helps them feel like they are being held.

If you put him down and he cries, don't pick him up but stay close and speak to him calmly and gently, maybe whilst storking his hand or something.

Remember, babies cannot talk and crying is their only form of communication. Give them the respect they deserve and listen to them.

It will get better!!

Answer 5

DONT let her cry it out. I just don't understand why parents do this and advice it. It is mean/cruel. Why would anyone want to let their baby cry for them? They are so little and helpless and love to be loved.

Your baby will not remember how clean the house was, if there was dirty dishes piling up, if you wore wrinkly clothes b/c you couldnt get them outta the dryer in time, etc.

Focus your time and energy on her. She needs your love and lots of it.

Everyone is always telling me how happy my baby was/is all the time. They cant get over how much she smiles and just happy. I responde to them by saying "She is very loved or as some people call it Spoiled Rotten"

Cherish these moment as they will not last long and soon she wont you around.

Answer 6

This sounds perfectly normal for a 5 week old, all they want is to be with mummy. Have you tried putting her in a sling? That way she is happy and you can get on with things. Start putting her into her bouncer for short periods, maybe only a few minutes initially, but stay close, talk to her, play with her. In a few weeks she'll start to take notice of things around her and will probably begin to enjoy the sensations of her swing and bouncer.

I know it's hard when all they want is to be cuddled, but try to enjoy it. It won't be long before they're wriggling to get away from you!

Answer 7

I have to agree with Rosy - and think of it this way: Your baby has been inside of you for 9 months! She'll need some time to get used to being on her own. I felt just like you do around the say point - 4-6 weeks. But it will pass, I promise. I suggest just sucking it up and letting other things take the backseat for a while. Your baby needs this time to figure things out and learn that she can trust you fully as her mommy. And please, don't let her cry it out! It breaks down her trust in you and will make you feel rotten! Also, check out this article for more information:

Answer 8

Patience on your part, as a mother who did the act that brought this child in this world. You are her comfort this is her only way to communicate with you. Mature, and take care of this wonderful life you chose to create, and deal with all things the baby does in a responsible manner. Time flies by and you'll regret feeling like you do. One day at a time. She's brand new and has no idea what her world really is. I could go on but i'll get too upset.

Answer 9

My daughter was the same way. It turned out that she had reflux and being placed on her back was painful for her. I was really glad that I ignored all of people's really lame advice to let her cry it out and all that other nonsense and started to research. When I went to the doctor, I confirmed to him that she had all of teh symptoms of reflux and he agreed. She started meds and was fine. Also, the swing really really helped. It took a while for her to like it but she eventually came to love both her swing and bouncy. She is still really very young. You should use it as an excuse to cuddle her and get nothing else done. You need the rest. You just had a baby.

Answer 10

I understand the feeling, and it is hard letting your baby cry. You have to decide what is truly important to get done-also what can you do with her? I ended up getting a carrier and doing things with my hands while still having my son cuddling up to my chest. Eventually as she gets older she will want her swing more. My son hated his swing until about 3 months, now he loves it. She is still making sure she can trust you. As she gets older she will become more independent as she is assured of your love.
I hope this helps and I am sorry for all the rude people on here, it is hard to get all serious answers.