Hey, my baby was just like that when she was 5 months. I could not lay her down in her bed to sleep - she would wake up instantly and howl. I kept her in my bed at night for 2.5 years, and except for play time and meal time, I had her in Baby Bjorn during the day, or in my lap while I caught up on important movie-watching It was hard, but I don't regret it. Sure, the washing would pile up and the house would look like a bomb site, but where's the fun in having a clean house for a sad baby?

The only thing I would do differently if I had that time again is to get more help. One of the best lines I've ever heard is "it takes a village to bring up a child". The human species was never meant to shut itself off in nuclear family units. Babies need loads of attention and mummies need loads of rest. The equation does not compute without a third element: other people.

Someone mentioned the mummy and baby groups. You can meet other mums there and share the load (try http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Expat-...n-Switzerland/). Get friendly with your neighbours ... one of them may turn out to be a fantastic baby-sitter (though I would not let baby go to someone else's house unless you knew them intimately). And how about a maman-du-jour or a creche, to get you an hour off here and there. Those people are professionals and can give you the guilt-free break you need.

All the best to you and your baby. Soon you'll be out of this phase and on to something better!