6 week old wants to be held all day long

DS is 6 weeks old and wants to be held alllll day long. He will sleep in his crib most of the night but from about 5am until he goes in his crib at 9pm, he cries every time I put him down!

I thought you couldn't spoil a newborn, but I am wondering... did I?

eta: He stops screaming and goes to sleep as soon as I pick him up!

Message edited 10/13/2010 8:48:50 AM.

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

Can you get a sling - could be a life saver for you.

Will he sleep in the stroller, bouncy seat anywhere? does he take a paci?

I know some babies do need the physical contact so it could be that but he should be sleepy enough at some point of the day to fall asleep without you.

At least he is sleeping in the crib at night - thats something positive.

Try to put him down in some place other that the crib today and see if it works.

Hang in there, I know its hard

Message edited 10/13/2010 9:05:15 AM.

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

Jack has gone through that phase ( a few times) wasn't much i could do but pick him up...

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

Mine went through that phase. It ends. I held him through it. Also took him for lots of walks. I only have one kid... so its easier for me... but the phase ended in a week or two.

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

Um my DD is 3.5 months and is STILL like this.
They say you can't spoil them that young but I still worry.
But it's either that or deal with unholy screaming.
Get a sling or a baby Bjorn.
It's a bit of a lifesaver!

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

i don't think you are spoiling him. this is a pretty common story. many newborns need holding more than other newborns. my first did not need to be held all the time. in fact, for falling asleep, she preferred to be left alone in her swing. my second--i couldn't put her down. ever. not at night, not during the day. never ever for about 3-4 months. i promise you she is not spoiled now, and in fact sleeps better than her sister did in her crib.

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

Some babies are just like that for a while. DS was exactly the same way until he was about 4 months old. Actually, I specifically recall writing a post JUST like this when he was about 2 months old. I can promise you that it's a phase and it does end...but in the meantime, you just kind of have to deal with it. I remember trying everything to keep him occupied for even a few minutes while I put him down and nothing worked. He hated the swing, the bouncer only held him for a few minutes, the excersaucer worked for a max of 10 minutes, he hated the PNP....

Its frustrating and I got nothing done for the first few months, but it will pass.

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

DS loved to be held as well - it was hard to get anything done with him. I used my Bjorn a lot around the house.

You can't spoil a baby that small and they will grow out of it.

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

I remember those days!

Julia was like that easily until 8 weeks. Some nights couldn't even get her to sleep in her bassinet.

She got better with time and is happy to play independently on the floor by herself since about 6 months.

It was just what she needed at the time, IMO

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

We only survived this phase, because we learned to swaddle properly.

Ds hated slings and carriers.

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

Thanks ladies for all of the support...

I just bought a great sling online... I hope it helps while he goes through this phase!!

Re: 6 week old wants to be held all day long

Could he have reflux? My dd did this before she was diagnosed. Try putting him in the bouncy seat since it is elevated. You can prop him up with blankets.