7 week old wants to be carried around all day

My 7 week old cries any time I put her down during the day. She wants to sleep in my arms. Have tried putting her in her cot at consistent times each day but she will cry for hours if I let her. Is there an age that they grow out of this? Nights are ok, she is a dream practically sleeps through. It is impractical to carry a baby around for 10 hours a day. What do other mums and dads do?

Buy a sling perhaps and just keep going with the routine that you are trying to achieve however it probably does not help to let her scream, she isn't doing it to spite you - she needs you. It does get better but these are the tough days for many mums when getting a shower or going to the loo seems an impossibility. Some people find the mechanical baby swing a godsend. Colic is also common around this stage so perhaps if it doesn't seem to getting any better speak to a midwife or maternity nurse.Is she falling asleep while feeding? This can often be a problem as when they wake as you try to put them down they want to go back to the other comfy spot. Try to feed, burp, change, wrap and put her down awake and run and do a small job if she is just grizzling or making small noises. Go back and pick her up after finishing one job (unload dishwasher, have quick shower, put the rubbish out) settle her and then put her down again, still awake and repeat and repeat... but the key for me has been really short times and not letting them cry for any long length of time or getting too upset. It is repetitions rather than controlled crying - It think the baby whisperer lady called it put down pick up or something, you might like to google that. She came after my days with newborns. I could never let them cry too much as it upset me and them too much. Glad to hear she is settling well in the night. Hang in there.

I had to carry my son (it seemed like) all day long until he learned to walk, then he wanted nothing to do with me, wouldn't even sit in my lap for more than a few sec. So take heart! In a few months your daughter will start walking and you'll actually miss this.

These days pass so quickly, love and enjoy your baby! Put your feet up, smile and coo at her, let someone else do the dishes and the laundry. Are you bf her? One thing is, put her down to sleep so she doesn't get in the habit of using you as a pacifier or having you rock her the whole time she naps. If she needs some comforting to settle back to sleep when you put her down, you can maintain contact by patting or rubbing her back or tummy until she settles back down. Swaddling sometimes helps a baby who startles easily in this situation. And I did love my / baby's sling, she can explore the world at near eye level with you as her coach to show her and talk to her about everything you are doing in your daily routine.

Great posts. Swaddling VERY tightly helped me tremendously. Swing and sling were also tremendously helpful. Last, I can only add that I remember being told repeatedly that 6-7 weeks was peak fussiness. So, if you can get through this time, it should all get a little easier. Oh, and I do miss carrying around my little guy. He's just too heavy now at 6 months and doesn't seem to need me as much :( Good luck!

My firstborn liked to be held a lot as well. We took turns at it: me, the helper, my hubby. Between us, the baby was held almost all day every day for about the first 6 months!


I would suggest:

1. If you don't have a f/t DH yet, hire one asap.

2. If you are breastfeeding, do comfort feed.

3. If you don't already have a baby carrier / sling, get one of those as well.


I have always accepted that the first few months involves a lot of sitting down feeding or going around carrying the baby. I'm a fairly active sort of person myself, so going for long walks with the baby in the baby carrier was one of my favourites.


Another idea is to go to loads of mother and baby groups / activities. That way, if you're spending long hours holding your baby at least you won't be alone. The good news is that there are SO MANY fab options in HK, such as ~

1. Harry Wright Baby swim classes, from 4mths?

2. Matilda Hospital Mother & Baby group, from birth, Thursdays, $60, call 2849 0111

3. Baby massage, also Matilda Hospital


Your baby will probably grow out of this when she starts to appreciate toys.

Briallint post Snow Rose... will be doing all these things with mine now.

Thanks