My Baby Wants to Constantly Be Held

I second the sling idea. My kids would settle down quickly most of the time (nothing is ever 100% foolproof). You can move him around to the side and it is easier to do things. It will get easier (then harder then easier - depends on the day).

He needs to be swaddled and/or put into a seat where he feels safe. Car seat, swing, somewhere where he feels cradled. Laying him in a big open crib or bassinet may still be overwhelming for him and he may feel alone in there at this point. Let us know what happens.

Oh for goodness sake, life is so short, children grow up so fast, who is doing this to you? Enjoy that little person, love, love love him. There is a saying "so quiet down cobwebs, etc. etc." for babies don't keep. I have two sons who are 20 and 25. In a blink they grew up and one spent the last six years in the service.I was sickened by this. You do not get this time back, so the clothes are dirty, you have to use paper plates and canned foods once in awhile. Look at this little person and forget about some of this for now. One day you will be able to chop, and clean and whatever else you think you want to do and I thought so too and what I wouldn't give to trade this with you for one day.

Hold him! With my first child, I felt so frustrated with this- in fact the only way he would sleep for the first oh 3 months was on my chest. Then one day I was really sick of it and thought oh my gosh I will never get anything done... and he pushed off and didn't want back on. No training, no crying. He just did it. Then with my second- same thing, but this time I held her as long as I could because I knew. One of my favorite things is to cuddle with that little baby!

For the shower- I would put them in a bouncy seat while I took my shower. It was right outside of the shower door. Can you use a slow cooker for meals until you have more time to cook? Can your husband help with laundry? Maybe try making larger meals and living off of left overs??

Look into getting a sling. 5 Weeks is too young to let the baby cry it out. Right now he needs to be held a lot to encourage bonding. Babies that are held a lot actually learn to self sooth better later, because they develop trust. Also, you can try keeping a baby swing very near you while you are cooking, etc. They even sell mesh slings, so you can wear them in the shower. These first few months are precious and go by very quickly, be patient.

My son was like that and I soon realized that a shower, dinner, clean house wasn't important. I held him all the time and though everyone always laughed at us as I don't think his feet touched the ground till he was 2; he's the most sensitive, loving person you'd ever meet.
And as he (25) just walked out the door this morning, for the last time (moving this weekend/married), I realize how much I wish I had more time with him, to hold him, to rock him to sleep. Enjoy every precious moment you hold your child, as time goes by so quickly. What's important is the love and caring that you give him now, everything else is meaningless.

I had one of these babies too... She came out the womb this way. I later found out she had SEVERE reflux; so she was actually crying for a "real" reason that could not be trainned. She knew that if she was placed laying down that it actually hurt. Well, I went to my neighbor (a native of a small Asian country) and asked her to show me how to make a sling. I handed her a sheet and asked her "Show me how to wear my baby." She first chuckled and then saw in my tired eyes that I could not have been more serious.... She then showed me how to make 3 types of slings for a newborn just by wrapping. One for the front, one for the side and one for the back... It WORKED!. I was able to do everything while wearing her.... Other countries wear their babies all of the time and get things done.... It worked for us.

I held my son any time he made any fuss in the beginning. YES!! It was exhausting. YES!! It was h*** o* my back sometimes. YES, I had to shower, eat, cook, do laundry, clean house, and check the mail when he was sleeping, BUT NOW he is a happy, secure, independent little boy!! He needs to know you are there for him for whatever he needs, be it a fresh diaper, feedings, and especially your touch. They grow up so incredibly fast anyway, enjoy that baby's smell in your arms for as long as you possibly can! Blessings to you!

I right there with you mama! My son was born aug 2nd and is almost 5 wks old. When I was pregnant I cooked gourmet,by that I mean, I spent and hour or two prepping and cooking delicious meals for me and my family. Now that baby is here, we have frozen pizza at least once if nto twice a week, and an assortment of quick, pre-prepared, or easy cook foods that even my fiance can make (hot dogs, tacos, sloppy joes, etc.). I'm breast feeding too, I feel like all day everyday I sit in the same room and nurse nurse nurse. Just when I put him down and think he's asleep he's crying again and wanting to be held, rocked, or nurse nurse nurse some more. I don't advocate crying it out, unless you need to take a few minutes. If letting him cry for a few minutes means you get to take a quick shower, eat a quick bite, or go to bathroom... then do it. Let him cry. You need to take care of yourself in order to take better care of him. If keeping him from crying is making you cry (which has happened to me on more than one occasion) then take a few minutes out for you. Like my pediatrician said, no baby ever died from crying.

I also have a 21month old. He grew up too fast. Now he's so independent that the only time he wants to slow down and snuggle and cuddle with mommy is right before his bedtime. I miss snuggling him and feeling so close. So even when my newborn is driving me nuts, and my house is a mess, and I'm eating frozen pizza for the umpteenth day in a row... I just remember that these days are limited. These moments are precious, and i can never get this time back. Once your baby is past this phase, its just a series of letting go and letting them grow...they'll never be like this ever again in their life. Good luck mama... and don't feel bad taking a few minutes out for yourself even if he has to cry...but cherish these moments too.

I haven't read the other responses, so I apologize if I overlap. Just know that 5-6 weeks is the HARDEST time for most new moms and babies... I know it was for me! It was then that I bought a Moby wrap to put the baby in. Super-duper comfy and must less cumbersome than a baby bjorn. Well worth the money (they sell them at Whole Foods in addition to lots of independent baby stores). If the wrapping looks too hard, their are also other non-wrap brands that you can get (I've never tried one). I just kept putting my daughter down for 5 or 10 minutes at a time. I also didn't want her to cry it out at that age (that's really young for that), but sometimes she could entertain herself for 5 or 10 minutes. Also, when you're at your wits end with the crying, that's the time to go ahead and put the baby down and let him cry for a little while. Sometimes it's more important for you to get calm and collected. Take a shower if you need to so that you don't have to hear the screaming. Or even just run the shower and sit in the bathroom and read a book to block out the noise, just for 15 minutes or so. It does a world of good!

As for getting stuff done while holding the baby constantly... know that this is most likely a phase that will pass. Get out the take-out menus, let your house get dirty, and just decide to go with it for a while. Put the baby in a carrier and turn on a movie. The thing I loved about the Moby was that it was really soft, so even if I couldn't sit down while she was awake, once she fell asleep I could usually lie on my back or side on the couch with her still in the Moby. I could watch tv (didn't want to really sleep with her in the wrap) and relax while she slept on me. It got us through a lot of long, rough days. Good luck!

There is some great advice here but most of this pertains to a child who is more like 5 months old not 5 weeks old. Go ahead and hold him. If you are on the small side and your baby was average to big, he lived in very small quarters for a long time. He is use to being close to you, hearing your heartbeat etc.... I do agree with your doctor to let him cry a little. Take your shower when you need/want to take your shower. If he cries while your in the shower...then he cries. No big deal. Try to keep to your normal routine. If you have to change out the laundry, put him down and change out the laundry. If he cries...no big deal. If it's time to make dinner, bring him in the kitchen and make dinner. If his crying is to much to handle while you are cooking, put him in the swing/bouncy chair in another room. The biggest thing is to not change your daily routine because he is crying. Hold him as much as you want, when you can. If there are things to do, put him down and do what you have to do. Just remember he is only 5 weeks old and he still needs to feel you close to him. He feels better that way.

I also recommend the sling..I wish I had one when mine were little. I used the Baby Bjorn A LOT with my two, and they both liked to be held a lot when they were young as well. I also agree that he is far too young to let cry it out. At this age, they cry to communicate, not just for attention. So follow your instincts.

If you can manage to get yourself organized a little bit (I know, that's tough when they're little and it's all so new!), it will help you a ton. Here are a couple of small suggestions that go a long way so you don't feel so overwhelmed in getting things done when he needs you:
- Plan your dinners for the week, or even just a couple of days.
- After he goes to bed for the night, cut or prepare as much as you can for the dinner the next day and then stick it in the fridge.
- Try and plan dinners that use leftovers (i.e.: Chicken and rice today, stir-fry tomorrow. Sausage one day, and then leftover cut up sausage with pasta and spaghetti sauce a day or two later), etc.
- Take your shower at night when your hubby can give you a break.
- If you have relatives nearby, don't be afraid to have them over to give you a break, even if it is just for a couple of hours a week. Grandparents, aunts/uncles love having baby time. Don't be shy about taking them up on offers.

Lastly, cut yourself some slack. It's ok to be overwhelmed with everything that has to be done and try to manage an infant who needs you 24/7. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. We've all been there and we're here if you need any more advice. You might be a Mom but you're still human.

Best of luck to you!

PS --Here is a helpful link on baby crying too:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/c...

These are the "labor intensive" days of mommy hood. You can't hold an infant too much. Get done what you can when he's sleeping. Hang in there.

Cry it out method isn't recommended until the child is around 8 months old, and that's usually just for letting them learn how to soothe themselves to sleep. However, letting him cry for a few minutes of time while you do take a shower or cook is okay. Do you have a baby swing for those times? It could be a life saver!

Also, instead of the baby bjorn, try a sling, he would fit perfect in it. Just be sure his head gets enough airflow and not laying on his stomach so he doesn't suffocate.

For showers, you can get a little baby shower seat and have him in the shower with you. Just as long as you keep the curtain tight and some warm water on his lower half, he shouldn't get too cold, and may even enjoy it.

yopu dont have to train him! remember pediatricians are schooled in how to make your sick child healthy not how to raise your child. Why dont you find a comfortable baby carrier? NOT the type they sell at babies r us those are NOT comfortable! Try an Ergo, or a Moby wrap, or a Maya ring sling. then you get to hold baby and have 2 hands free! Research ALWAYS shows that a baby that has its needs met will ALWAYS cry far less and be more independent than a child that doesnt have its needs met. NOW obviously there are going to be moments that you need to put the baby down to do something and that is ok too! I say dont listen to anyone but yourself! Do you think letting him cry it out at 5 weeks is reasonable?

I understand your dillema. Get a moby wrap or an ergo carrier. You can wear your baby and get the other things done. I don't agree with your ped about letting him cry and to train him. He's 5 weeks! If he was 5 months, you could teach him to soothe himself a bit more, but he is way to young in my opinion. The carrier will really help---he needs to be close to mom.

M

My son was the same way. I am sure it's h*** o* you, because it was on me. It was not what I expected; I thought he would just sleep all the time, and I would have the cleanest house and dinners made every night. Ha - being a new mom is totally the opposite! My main tip, without a doubt, is to find a baby carrier. Moby wraps are wonderful for newborns. Hot Slings are also good. Ergos can be worn up to 40 pounds, and an infant insert can be used at your baby's age. If you wanted to take a trip into the city, a store like Be By Baby has a variety of sling selections, and they'll help you figure out which is best for you. A good baby carrier is a lifesaver.

My other tip is to change your mindset. It's ok to let the house go for a little while, relax, and sit on the couch. Obviously some things have to get done, and a carrier is so helpful for that.

Your baby was inside you being constantly touched for 9 months, so it isn't unusual that he wants to be touched now. There are books and studies that discuss all the wonderful things that happen when a baby is held and touched - neurons that fire, brain connections that are made, etc. Try to think of your holding as a wonderful investment in his development.

Feel free to private message me if you want to discuss baby carriers in any more detail. My son is almost 2, and I still wear him around at times!

You got lots of great advice and I didn't have time to read all, so sorry if I'm repeating, but. Please hold your baby! He needs you and needs to build a sense of security. He's only 5 weeks old and is missing being in your belly! It will take a few months for him to transition into "our" world, and needs your help to do that. You are right, he is too small for the Baby Bjorn, so definitely get a different sling. I used a Hotsling, but there are many out there more suitable for newborns. Also try a bouncy seat with vibration or a small swing you can move from room to room, like the kitchen and bathroom for times you absolutely need to be hands free. That way he can still see you. My daughter hated the swing, but liked the bouncy, so if I wasn't carrying her in the sling, I had her in the bouncy right next to me! You will find what works for you and your little guy, be there for him, and things will get easier. HANG IN THERE! You are doing great! And congratulations!!

I think the biggest thing is just realizing the baby comes first at this young age and everything else has to wait. Take advantage of the times when he's sleeping to get everything done...try to cook ahead so you're just throwing things a crock pot or oven to get dinner ready. Hire someone else to clean if you can. Five weeks is still really young. Try a sling, although my daughter hated it so we never used it but I just made a point to focus on her when she was awake and did as much as I could when she napped. After your son eats, play with him and then swaddle him up an hour and a half after he started eating...he should fall asleep relatively soon and then you should get at least an hour to get some things done. It probably feels stressful to know you have a lot to do but it'll be there when you're done...it's your first so enjoy it.

Get a pocket sling like a HotSling, or a Mei tei. I wore my babies from the start, cooked dinner, cleaned, etc without a problem. I would never let them cry it out! Now at 8 and almost 5 they are the most independent children, they have no attachment issues, they don't worry about me leaving them, they are securely attached and very independent children.

Right now you have to foster that attachment, make the baby secure. People think to make the children independent they have to force them to be alone, learn to self soothe, and take care of themselves, when in reality that only causes anxiety and children who are very anxious and worried. By fostering that attachment now, shwoing your baby he can always count on you, he will grow to be very independent.

You can try swaddling him in a blanket. Do you have a swing? That can give you a little break. But I think the first 3 months of a baby’s life they really need their Mommy. I think after 3 months you can start the letting him cry it out "training" but I held all three of my kids a lot when they were first born. I would shower in the evening when my husband got home or when the baby was napping. My husband was pretty great about trying to help out as much as possible. Usually laundry got done on the weekends when he was home all day and I could do more or he could help out. Can you make dinners on Sundays for the week and freeze them so you just have to warm them up? There's always take-out and delivery :)
Good luck and enjoy those moments that they need you so much. Before you know it he will be independent and you'll wish he wanted to be held again.

So, you might not like this but here goes. Hold him!!! This stage doesn't last long, crying out is cruel until they are older....at least age one...and even then I can barely do it! For the first three months, at least, there isn't much you can get done in terms of cooking, cleaning, and even taking showers. Things that I did: Take VERY quick showers (3 minutes tops), eat more take out or have husband cook (my husband cooked dinner), clean during nap time or clean only on weekends when husband stays with baby. Seriously, this time goes by so quickly and you'll wish you held him more. I agree that babies need structure but certainly not at 5 weeks old. Not even close. And use a wrap. That should help. Good luck to you and enjoy your little one!

Have you tried a swing? I have four children, and my last one, who is now almost four, was different from all the others in that he needed to constantly be moving. While I held him a lot and put him in a carrier, I found that a swing worked wonders when I needed to get other stuff done, like making dinner. Honestly for the first few weeks, he even slept in the swing at night because otherwise he would not sleep at all. (we had a couple swings, one on each level of the house).

Letting the baby cry is not a bad idea, it does teach them how to sooth themselves. A lot of that depends on how much you can take. Certainly don't stress yourself out even more.

Lots of good advice so far, but I wanted to add that if you don't already belong to a mom's group, join one! You'll feel so much better getting out among other moms - many might be in the same position you are. Try meetup.com for groups in your area; I know there are at least 3 or 4 in the OP area.

My daughter is now almost 5 years old and, as an infant, she wanted to be held ALL THE TIME - so I did it (but that's just me)... but, I can tell you that, today, she is one of the happiest, peaceful, secure, trusting, and independent little girls I know! My friends and family all comment on how kind, loving, affectionate and, again, independent she is! I know there are so many mixed messages out there - and I do not believe there is only one correct way - what I do believe, however, is you must do what feels right for YOU! I tried to put her down and let her "cry herself" to sleep but all that happened is would sit in the next room crying because it broke my heart. I ended up cuddling her to sleep for about the first year - and, as I said, today she is trusting and secure! Good luck - follow your heart and your gut!

Try a baby swing ~ on the lowest setting.
Put on some beautiful music ~ not too loud.
Put the swing by the bathroom door while you take a shower and sing along to the music ~ so that your little one can hear your voice.
Also take the shirt that you had on and fold it and lay it over your baby like a blanket ( but not over the face ) ~ because the shirt smells like mommy ~ and your little one can still smell you and that will make the baby feel close to mommy. = )

This worked for me with my kids.

I wish you the best.

get a sling... lits like a big over the shoulder purse.
i'd vacumm, do laundry, dishwasher, crafts... my kids loved it (or a front carrier)

i wouldn't let my kids cry more than 5-10 min at that age. they don't understand.

Have you tried a vibrating bouncy seat or a swing? Put the seat/swing near you so that your baby knows where you are. Your other option would be to get a good carrier wrap. A moby wrap is great for the newborns. There are other wraps made so you can safely wear
your baby (even a newborn) on your back.
My BFFs daughter wanted to be held a lot too. The carrier saved her. I (and my bff) are if the AP mind. We don't really let our babies cry. (especially at five weeks, they are still learning to trust that you will be there to fullfill their needs).

If you'd like to take a class about Babywearing, check out the website Cutiepoopsandbottoms.com and look for classes they offer. It is a store in Orland Park. They can teach you how to safely wear
your baby.

Good luck!

My son was like this too. He is Waaaay to young to let cry. Many people call this time the Fourth Trimester! I wish I had gotten a wrap, you got a lot of good suggestions on which ones to get. I also used the swing and that helped. You can get a small one for about 50 dollars. Your instincts are right about your baby but I understand your frustration. You just have to accept that that is the way things are, get some tools to help you, and don't fight it. It will get better, I promise. My son wanted to be held, only by me constantly. He would only sleep if I was holding him. We discovered the carseat at 1 month and that helped because it gave him the illusion of being held. Of course the careat was in the house at the time (just being clear!) My son is 2 1/2 and has some minor sensory issues which explains the previous behavior. I am not saying your baby does, but if he does, he can't help himself for needing that kind of soothing pressure. You can't force him not to need it! BTW, my son started sleeping through the night at 4 months, by himself, and has been a champ since then. He loves bedtime!

I still hate hearing and seeing my 8 month old cry. But there is a difference between crying and complaining. My daughter hated being on her stomache for tummy time but she grew out of it. Did you try to give him some toys? Entertain him, show him its fun to be alone for awhile. Doctors say to try in anyway to help them build independence. Just if you let him cry, it takes more than one day to train him. Plus i think that every mom has to go through letting them cry stage.

A baby swing worked great for both my kids, it either put them to sleep or just soothed them long enough to get something done (or just sit on the couch). A lot of people swear by the bouncy seats, I never had one though. It is ok to let your baby cry short periods of time in order to accomplish something or take a short break for yourself, as long as they are not hungry or wet. He will learn that its ok and you always come back. Yes its difficult to hear a baby cry ever so its easier said than done, but I think if you practice putting him down for even just a few minutes at a time then he will slowly be ok with not being attached to you constantly. You can even put his swing or whatever your using right near you, like in the kitchen for example if you need to cook, so he can still see you and you can talk to him while you work. Slings and carriers are awesome but I just don't think they work around the house, I feel like you can't bend over or be near the stove like you said. When my baby was a little older I would put her in the high chair (I have one that reclines) even though she didn't eat baby food yet so she could watch me cook or clean, she liked being at my level. You can even just put some toys on the tray for him.

Five weeks is still so young, I think around 3-4 months he will be more independant and like to play more. So no, you will not get a whole lot of housework accomplished and will shower less than you ever have, but its all worth it, hang in there. The first year goes by so quick!

My son is now 9 months and I've decided to sleep train him since he is still waking up 2 times a night for a bottle. So yes, I let him cry the other night for an hour (which was heartwrenching) without giving him a bottle. I still went in to soothe him every 10 minutes, just no bottle. This is the third night, its almost 4 am and he hasn't woken up once! So yes, I completely believe its ok to let babies cry in certain situations and after a certain age. I was never sure what age was ok which is why I waited so long, but I'm glad I did it. Now I just need to sleep train myself so I can go back to bed!

I had the same problem with my older son. I held him, and it was a good day if all I managed to do was unload the dishwasher. It was very difficult and frustrating for me because, like you, I wanted to get stuff done around the house. I ended up joining Netflix and watched a ton of movies on my maternity leave as I held my son. I also learned to do many things one-handed. My son was a very cuddly baby and is a very affectionate little boy today, although I can't fully attribute it to my holding him all the time.

When I was expecting #2, I knew I could not hold the baby all the time. My boys are 18mos apart, so holding him constantly wasn't even an option. I swaddled the baby in a Miracle Blanket (my older son wasn't swaddled), and it did wonders. He was very content when awake, a great sleeper and could fall asleep on his own early on. He was also more content being in the carseat. Neither of my boys was crazy about the swing, but I could get the younger one to stay in it long enough for me to get some things done or to take care of the older one.

I think a carrier or sling is a great idea, but if you're not swaddling, you might want to give it a try. Don't be afraid to swaddle snugly!

I haven't read all the other responses, so I dont know if this might be repeating somebody else or not. I have a toddler (20 months) who was the exact same way, and I just always had him in my arms. My house was a wreck, my husband and I were both feeling very blue because of our lack of time together and the overall stress of having another human attached to mama all day (he wouldn't let anybody else but me hold him, either). I'm due in 3 weeks with #2, and I will be putting her down more and letting her learn earlier to self-soothe and to be content with being out of my arms. My sister has 4 kids aged 4, 2 and 11 month-old twins. Her twins are the happiest babies that I have ever met and rarely fuss or cry, even if they're just sitting on the floor watching all the action. We all strongly believe its because she just didnt have the option to carry them around all the time and they're just used to soothing themselves and being entertained by whats going on instead of by who's holding them.

So maybe try just putting him down more in a swing or on a playmat, he will probably protest a lot at first but will end up finding his hands to play with or discovering interesting sounds or lights by himself. Don't stress yourself out too much--a happy mama makes the best mama!

I, too, highly recommend a baby sling. An Ergo has buckles making it pretty easy to put on your own. The Bjorn is not highly recommended by many babywearers because it is just not as comfortable for you or the baby as others that are available. A Moby wrap (or Sleepywrap or Loveyduds) is jersey knit that you wrap around you and baby to keep him close. A mei-tai could work for you, too. Babyhwawk and Kozy are two reasonably priced brands for MTs. Ergos are often easy to find new and used on craigslist or ebay. If you would like more direction, there are some babywearing groups in the area. The Dupage Slingers group meets once a month and you can try on multiple carriers. You can google them. You will be amazed how much more you will get done and how much calmer your little one will be. Send me a private message if you have more questions!

I went through something similar. My baby always wanted to be held and there were things that I felt I had to get done. My solution was to just change my mindset. I didn't cook as much as I thought I needed to. I showered when she slept. I had my husband help with laundry (bringing it down to the basement) and then I could do the other parts of the laundry while I was holding the baby. It worked out well for me. My baby still likes to be held, but I feel like she's developing a greater sense of independence and security, and I got that great bonding time with her. It really went against my nature to put off chores, etc., but I just kept reminding myself that the world wasn't going to fall apart if those things didn't get done. Of course, everyone's different and every baby has different needs so I obviously can't tell you what you should. This is just what worked for me.

I used the Moby Wrap when my little guy was teeny tiny. Strapped him right on to the front and did dishes and cooking with no problems at all. Now I wouldn't try and fry anything with a baby strapped on to the front! But simple chores were fine. :)

A 5 week old needs to have his needs met. His needs right now are constantly needing to be with you. I also recommend a diff type of carrier. A Moby wrap is REALLY good for a young one cause it cuddles them on your chest and makes them feel really secure.

There are, of course, some times when he is going to have to cry for a little bit. You need a little time to take care of yourself and take a shower. What I did was take a bouncy seat in the bathroom and put him in it and let him watch me take a shower. The sound (white noise) of the shower also helped soothe him. Sometimes he did cry but I would stick my head out and and soothe him a little with my words.

Housework can wait. Do it in small spurts. Cooking can be simplified, or ask someone for help and cook big meals and freeze so that all you have to do is throw in the oven, or prep ahead of time when someone can help you and have everything cut up/etc and ready to go. My son was (and still is!) very loud and I'm sure my neighbors (in a apartment building) really love me, but babies are babies and that is what they do. You can't worry too much about it. You just have to learn to prioritize better. Some things are crucial and need to be done and if it is something you don't feel comfortable doing it with him in a carrier, then he will have to wait a little bit, but try to have him close to you in a bouncy or basinette or playyard or swing, or whatever. But....most things can wait till you have some help, or you can do with the carrier on, or you can do in small spurts while he is happy or sleeping. Then as he gets older he will be a little more able to entertain himself and won't feel so insecure being away from you and then you can start doing more in longer spurts. They are only this tiny once....even though I know it seems like a nightmare now, it will gradually get better, even if there is no end in sight right now.

Man, I hear ya. My son is almost 7 weeks and is being the same way. But, I don't think they are too young to learn some habits. Like, my son knows it's night night (through the night, not nap time) whenI put him in his swing when he's drowsy. He would have a warm bottle (the rest of the day are room temp or a little colder, he likes those lol). Anyhow, he knows I'll stay in there until he falls asleep (me or daddy). He'll open his eyes and look at us and keep doing it for a few minutes. If he doesn't see us, he'll fuss. But if he doesn't fuss, he'll go to sleep within 10 minutes (usually) but during the day is another story. his dad works full time and sometimes overtime, so my son misses him and won't sleep unless i hold him and if i put him down he gets so fussy and makes me want to cry sometimes lol. i've been letting him cry a little bit once in a while to let him know he's okay (after making sure nothing else is wrong). i guess sometimes you have to...

A little crying is normal and even if you hold him all the time, he'll cry in your arms at some point. Think about this. Crying is the only actual exercise they get at this age. It's absolutely false that crying will hurt the baby or discourage bonding. It's also false to say they can't learn anything at this age. They are learning plenty. Right now he's learning that mom can't stand for him to cry. He's going to use that bit of info :) He also will NOT mistrust you because you are cooking or cleaning.

I believe baby should be nearby when doing chores. It's actually rather good for them to see and hear what's going on. Swings are good part of the time and bouncy seats on the table. I like to get them at a vantage point where they can really see.

But when you say does crying work? Well, it depends on what you want to have happen. If you teach your child that you are beside yourself crazy with the crying, then the tantrum phase will be that much worse and last longer. Think about it. Why do you think that they are around 15 months or so when they start throwing tantrums and that tantrums peak by the time they are 2? It's BECAUSE we have taught them by our actions that we can be manipulated. I have learned that if I can stay absolutely unemotional during the crying periods, they get shorter and shorter. However... You can shower in 10 minutes and pick baby up for a kiss and hug. You can check baby's pants while in your robe and before doing your hair or make-up. There is nothing in the house you can't do in 5-10 minute sessions. Personally, I don't have a problem with 20 minutes away from baby while they are crying. But if that bothers you, make it 10.

Look at it this way. Someone is getting trained. Either you are training baby or baby is training you.

I see you've gotten many similar responses, so I will throw a few things out there that I don't think I saw mentioned.

Babywearing is great. Wraps are great. I wish I had discovered them before my 4th baby. Moby is a good one for this age. Beware of Baby Bjorns. They don't support the baby properly, and can cause hip problems. Ergos are a much better structured carrier for when the baby is a bit older.

Also, be very careful about using the carseat or swing for long periods of time. New studies are showing that babies are compromising their breathing by always being in that position. They can't support their heads and are crushing their airways which are only the size of a straw.

Good luck! My youngest, now six months old, was very, very needy until fairly recently, and there were many days just getting off the recliner to go to the bathroom was an accomplishment. Yay for my laptop! Remember, it will pass. You can't spoil a baby, and he will be much more secure and independent by having his needs met.

A sling, wrap, something like that. I "wore" my daughter everywhere. Couldn't stand to let her lay there and cry just to get work done.

I did not subscribe to the cry it out theory. Not that it isn't credible but it was not for us. I have an ergo baby carrier and used the newborn insert (picture a baby burrito) then placed him in the carrier. While cutting and cooking were awkward it was doable. My child at 15 months is confident and independent, and most important to me, secure in knowing that his needs will be met and not ignored.

At 5 weeks old your baby needs you and that's okay. So get a good carrier like a Moby Wrap (not good if your petite though, too much material), Baby Bjorn (good when they a small) or an Ergo (with infant insert)--this one will last longest cuz it's good for young toddlers too-- and carry the baby around with you. You'll find you can yo so much more and your baby will be happy too.

I would say with all three of mine now two months old was about the age that i could start to set them down happily. Crying never sped up the process. I mean there are times with three kids that my 4 week old would cry for a few minutes because I had to take another child to the bathroom or something. still took her about 8 or so weeks to be happy being parted from my or my hubby's body. The Moby wrap is great for holding and getting things done also i use a pouch sling, If you chose to use these follow the directions and rules for safety. Don't forget the baby is there. the only thing really that I wouldn't do with the baby in the sling/moby is cook on the stove. Everything else is fair game pretty much. Enjoy the time of "having to hold' the baby because in a few months he wont want to be in your arms. And congrats!