I know they say you can't spoil a newborn but...

...I think we might have an issue.
DD is 8 weeks old tomorrow and she has a thing about wanting to be held... A LOT!
When she is awake she is only happy in her bouncy, or her swing, or her crib watching her mobile, for like 10 minutes.
Then she starts to fuss.
If we ignore the fussing, it turns to whining, then crying, then full on hysterics.
If, however, we pick her up, she is fine. Quiets right down.
She seems to want to be held ALL her waking hours.
Today was her first day at daycare and my DH stopped in to check on her and the caretaker there told him the same thing- that she is not gassy or in pain- but that she wants to be held a lot.
I don't want to spoil her- I'm not even sure if we can at this age.
Anyone else deal with this?
What can I do?
If I leave her to fuss- like I said she gets upset FAST and it turns into a meltdown.
It's hard to get anything done at this point too..with having to hold her constantly.
Any advice would be appreciated!

Re: I know they say you can't spoil a newborn but...

you can't spoil her this young.

Is she swaddled? Most of the time, they just like the comfort of being held. They like to feel snuggled and warm, just like they were in the womb.

Re: I know they say you can't spoil a newborn but...

hold her.

she's a teeny baby still accustomed to the confines of you uterus

she'll want to be more independent eventually but she is learning you now. and learning all those who hold her. how they smell, sound, feel.

it will not last forever.

Re: I know they say you can't spoil a newborn but...

I would hold her too. Maybe try a sling to free up your hands to do things around the house.

Re: I know they say you can't spoil a newborn but...

she is in daycare? if so, I don't think she will have this problem for long! my DS is 12 weeks and wants to be held all the time, it's so tough bc I have a 22 month old too. I pick him up to calm him and put him right back down. sometimes it works and sometimes he gets even more angry!

Re: I know they say you can't spoil a newborn but...

My DS was like that at that age as well. I finally decided to stop fighting it and told myself that I should just go with it because one day he won't want to be held. He grew out of it a few weeks later.

Maybe try a sling so you can wear her while doing other things?

Re: I know they say you can't spoil a newborn but...

Posted by Ophelia

hold her.

she's a teeny baby still accustomed to the confines of you uterus

she'll want to be more independent eventually but she is learning you now. and learning all those who hold her. how they smell, sound, feel.

it will not last forever.

Re: I know they say you can't spoil a newborn but...

Definitely hold her- she's still so young! Like Ophelia said, she's still so used to the coziness of your uterus! I went through this with my son in the beginning too. I used to wear him in the Baby Bjorn a lot so I could get stuff done around the house- that worked great! Now, he's almost 7 months and can only tolerate being held for so long- he just wants to move move move! I say, enjoy this time while it lasts. Hold as much as she wants- you'll miss it before you know it.

Re: I know they say you can't spoil a newborn but...

Thanks girls!
I was just worried she'd get spoiled- but I guess she really can't this young.
She does like to be swaddled - and sleeps much better when swaddled.
But in the day time when she is awake, she wants to be held- even if she is swaddled.

I don't mind holding her- and we did just get a sling so I can try that.

I just wanted to make sure this was normal at this age- and it seems to be!

Re: I know they say you can't spoil a newborn but...

This describes my 7 week old to a T also...it is difficult, esp. since I have a 3-year-old at home too, but I also do revel in the time b/c I know she'll outgrow it soon and be much more independent...it goes way too fast!

But you are definitely not alone!