Oh Ben hun, she is only 7 weeks old. The first 3-4 months are the hardest they really are. There is waaay too much pressure for us all to be 'up and at it' with a perfect sleeping angel all too soon.

She needs you, its not a want and she isn't trying to manipulate you. A good alternative is a hug a bub or something similar so baby can be close to you and you can still have your arms. She needs to be close to her mummy or daddy, its a big big world when you are a newborn. Letting her cry wont help anyone, it really wont.

You need to be able to see her tired signs which will usually be about an hour after she wakes - once they get overtired, the wakefulness and irritability cycle starts. Get her wrapped when she starts making jerky movements, yawns etc.

Have you got parents nearly that can come and hold her for awhile whilst you or mum have a shower etc??

If all else fails call the maternal child helpline - they were a godsend to me in the turbulent few months. I dont have the number now, it used to be stuck to my old fridge.

hang in there, most babies are like this xoxoxo