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My only tip is that you're not alone I had a baby just like that... I thought I'd lose my mind....just keep going. My baby is now a toddler. It does get better, I promise.

I feel like it got easier at around 12 weeks....l definitely feel like it was ebbs and flows though...some days would be great, and others would be hell!! We had a witching hour EVERY night right at dinner time... I'd rush home from work, try to make dinner and LO would just scream for hours..I used to pray she would sleep through dinner (and then feel guilty because I was away from her at work all day)!

@stargal: F has very much been a baby that needs to be held to be content - and trust me, it's not for my lack of trying to not hold him! I feel like the peak of me wanting to lose my mind was 8 weeks, and every week since then it's gotten gradually better. He still wants to be held or entertained most of his awake time at almost 13 weeks, but his play mat now holds his attention independently in 15-20min increments. But I feel your pain!

@stargal: i feel like i wrote this post - mine is 7 weeks also and i literally had a 2 hr cryfest over this, i feel like i'm getting the baby blues all over again. I have spent the majority of my maternity leave since he's been born just holding him, right now is one of those rare moments when he is sleeping in his swing (the ONLY other place he will sleep besides in my arms). I'm there with you, totally.

You're not alone! I kept (err... keep) telling myself he's just such a smart little mammal baby with such good instincts against being left or forgotten - he just doesn't know he's in a safely locked apartment and I'm within earshot. It is very tiring. Around 9 weeks he'd usually let me put him down in his bouncy chair for a quick bite or to pee. By 12 weeks, other people could hold him for naps. Probably around 15-16 weeks I could put him down for naps and he'd stay asleep 45min or an hour. We're 20 weeks now. It's been a gradual learning process for both of us - he feels more safe, I feel more space. But some days I still can't put him down long enough to make dinner, so we order takeout.

LO 1 was like that for the first 7 weeks! Hang in there!

Mine is 17 weeks and still needs to be held for naps, we cosleep which is supposedly supposed to make things easier but I find mysslf becoming resentful that she is is constantly on my breast and honestly who can sleep like that!? We are having a ton of sleep issues to. Finally admitting to myseld I may also have some PPD. I hope it gets easier for you.

My LO is seven weeks old and we have been going to the same thing since about five weeks of age. I thought my arms were going to fall off! Part of it is that this is just that really tough 6-8 week period for them. But I did find one thing that really helped - The leechco infant lounger. You can get it on Amazon.com. It cradles the babies so they feel nestled and safe. My LO will now nap (you're not supposed to let them sleep in it but I only let her nap while I am watching her on the monitor) in it and sit in it awake while I eat breakfast. It's not a magic solution, but it does give me a chance to rest my arms and get some work done!

@meredithNYC: Hi! I am now in this boat with the rest of you. 5 weeks today and Id say starting around 4 weeks he is very clingy. The second I pic him up he dozes off. I put him down and he cries. It's an endless cycle.
In wondering how old your LO was when you started the sort of "cry it out"? I am at that point I think. I have already put him in his crib and shut the door or got in the shower just to stop hearing the crying and to get some peace. Or to pee. Or to eat. I've done it like twice. Screamed his head off the whole time. injust watch him on the monitor with the volume off to make sure he's ok.

@Mrs. Chocolate: yes! This! Night time he's ok which people tell me to be thankful for. And I am he eats 11pm, 2/3am, 6/7am. And he goes right back to sleep. But daytime....he just won't sleep. I have to hold him all day with the rare occasion I think he's just so pooped he doesn't care as much.

A was like that and my sister said I should just put her down. I did and she cried and I was going to pick her up and she told me to just let her cry and do what I need to do. I did that and A eventually was okay being put down.

Just sending you hugs because it is not easy. You're doing a great job.

Totally normal, it's the "fourth trimester." It gets better! Hang in there!

My daughter was the same, to the point my husband was convinced she didn't like him. He's over it now.
Sometimes you have to let him cry when he's in someone else's arms, as much as it hurts you. Try sitting on and sleeping on one of his blankets without washing it so it smells like you, then wrap him in it when someone else is holding him.