Huggs - My DD was like this. As a result I spent much of my time parked on a seat with her in my arms. Have you tried using a sling? It isn't a solution for the problem (sorry I couldn't cpome up with a solution) but it would make it easier to hold bubs and get on with other things.
My suggestion first off is to get a baby carrier like a hug a bub or peanut shell.
This will allow her to be close to you like she craves and give you more freedon to use your hands for other things.
She is still so little and the independence will come with time. Being prem may also be contributing - she needs the safety and security that being in your arms provides.
I know it isnt easy when they wont let you put them down but she should get better with age.
Try the sling carrier and see how much of a difference it can make to your sanity and her comfort
i forgot to mention that i do use a sling also, but would really LOVE to try and get her sleeping a bit on her own and not always in our arms/sling. I guess i have to just be patient and hope she feels safe and secure soon. Thanks for the replies
my DD is the same, during the day she will only be held by me no one else, in the last few weeks I have been able to get her to sleep on her own, well not really on her own, I feed her to sleep or lay in bed with her. I've totally given up on the cot cause she just will not settle and cries hysterically as soon as she realises I am gone.
So our solution has been to put a single bed next to our bed and she sleeps on it, I feed her to sleep then roll off so I don't have to disturb her.
I have 4 slings which I could not be without.
As she is getting older she is getting better, she is slowly staying on the floor more by herself and will let DH hold her for 10 or so mins sometimes.
So yep it will get better when she is ready and feels safe she will let you go a bit more.
It is so hard though some days I wish she would just go to DH for more than 5 mins but since she has been sleeping so much better on the single bed it doesn't seem to bad during the days.
Dotty, she is still so young and tiny and the world is a big strange place to her. It is a big change to go from a small, dark home where food is on tap, to a big huge bright world with lots of noise and stimulation. It is very normal for babies to need to be hugged a lot in the early weeks - in fact it is what they are designed to do. I think with bubs who are prem or born early this can be even more so. And our milk supply on mums relies on it a lot also.
I know it is very tiring for you right now, but use the sling as much as you can and give her all the cuddles she wants. If it helps you rest, just sit on the couch with her, or lie in bed and feed her as often as she wants. Don't worry about housework. This won't last for long - as she gets bigger she will become more independent, this is just an adjustment period for her. And you can't do any harm by cuddling lots in the early days - don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.
Congratulations on your DD hun. I wish you all the very best over this period and beyond.
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but she should get better with age.
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