I Just had a baby. He wants to be held 24/7?

Question

I Just had a baby. He wants to be held 24/7. I tried feeding rocking nursing him to sleep. Every time I leave his side he cries. He'll even wake up and cry if he feels me get out of bed. He will only stop if I pick him up. What should I do? He is 4 weeks old today

Please dont judge me. I do hold him all the time and I love my son very much. Its just that I need to put him down sometimes even if its just to care for my daughter make dinner wash bottles or shower.

I am a human pacifier. He will not suck a regular pacifier. After nursing he just wants to keep going and going.

Answer 1

When my nephew was born he had the same issue. I had the primary care of him for a few weeks and what I did was swaddle him, as I'd heard that it helps with that "missing the womb" syndrome that many babies have. You take a recieving blanket and lay the baby with his head to one corner, tuck the opposite corner up over his body. Then take one side and wrap him snuggly, and overlap the other side so that he's embraced by the blanket. You don't want to make it too tight though. Zack loved it and was so calm when I swaddled him this way.

Answer 2

I know it can be exhausting but be sure that it doesn't last forever. They make those carry/bag things that you can hold the baby in front of you, always ready to nurse.
If you have someone you trust, like mom or grandma, let them hold the baby for a while so you can take a walk or something.
He'll be a baby for such a short time. You never hear us older women saying "boy, I sure regret that I held my baby so much" we regret NOT holding the baby.
But do find a way to get a break at least once a day.
Good luck!

Answer 3

If your child wants to be held, hold your child and don't let anyone tell you it's not the thing to do and that babies need to learn to not be held all the time. It's great bonding, and babies need to be held as much as possible. There are baby slings made so you can hold your child all the time and still have your hands free. Look at the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. I LOVE mine and so does my daughter, she's 4 and I still hold her much of the time.

Answer 4

For the first 9 months he's been held and rocked CONSTANTLY... what a disappointment to move from the warm, rythmic rocking inside of you to the outside world... if you were him, you'd cry too.

A baby sling can keep him close by and snug while allowing you to have your hands free. My son loved his, just like my husband and I did when we were babies.

I know it's frustrating (and tiring for the arms), but it will get better as he adjusts to his new environment. Snuggle your baby all you can now, because before you know it, they're too big/ too busy/ to grown-up for holding.

Answer 5

well just imagine how he would feel.

after being in a nice warm womb for nine months then coming into a completely different world. he is bound to be shaken by it and will need the comfort for a while.

just til he gets used tyo his surroundings.

my daughter was like it too and it does get better.

4 weeks isnt very old so i'm not suprised he wants to be held.

give him time he will adjust and be less clingy. try not to worry either as he will pick up on your stress and it will make him more adgitated and clingy

Answer 6

Get a baby carrier. Babies NEED constant contact.

Read this, you'll feel better:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T050200.asp

---------
Edited to add:

You really, really need to read that article. Here is just the begining bit. Also, really, really get a Mei Tei (Asian Baby Carrier) or a wrap. You can sew them if you can sew and it will cost you very little. Sewing patterns at: http://mamatoto.org/

"WHAT HIGH NEED MEANS - A STORY ABOUT OUR HIGH NEED BABY
Our first three children were relatively "easy" infants. They slept well and had a predictable feeding routine. Their needs were easy to identify—and satisfy. In fact, I began to suspect that parents in my pediatric practice who complained about their fussy babies were exaggerating. "What's all the fuss about difficult babies?" I wondered.

HOW SHE ACTED
Then came Hayden, our fourth, whose birth changed our lives. Our first clue that she was going to be different came within a day or two. "I can't put her down," became Martha's recurrent theme. Breastfeeding for Hayden was not only a source of food, but a source of comfort. Martha became a human pacifier. Hayden would not accept substitutes. She was constantly in arms and at her mother's breast -- and after a while those arms and breasts would get tired. Hayden's cries were not mere requests, they were all-out demands. Well-meaning friends suggested, "Just put her down and let her cry it out." That didn't work at all. Her extraordinary persistence kept her crying. Her cries did not fade away. They intensified if we didn't respond.

Hayden was very good at teaching us what she needed. "As long as we hold her, she's content" became our baby-care slogan. If we tried letting her fuss, she only fussed harder. We played "pass the baby." When Martha's arms gave out, into mine she came. [...]

Answer 7

I would get a papoose or one of those baby carriers because this wont pass for a few more weeks at least. My friend's baby went through this and now he can pick his head up and see a lot better at three months and he is fine on his own.

Answer 8

try swaddling him while your holding him, that way when you lay him down he will still feel warm and tight. alot of babies are like yours. sometimes i just had to let mine cry for a minute so i could do something like wash bottles, he'll outgrow it, just be patient. do you have any help (husband, family) maybe they could help

Answer 9

he just wants to be loved if he contiuse to do that just put some music on for him or cartoons and out him in a bounceiny chair and go do what you have to do. he'll be fine.

Answer 10

I recommend a baby sling. www.babysling.com. It allows you to get things done while doing chores or breastfeed while doing other things. They are great.