B.B.
My First daughter would not sleep much at all during the day. She would be awake for 8 hr stretchs. That was just the way she was and the pediatrician said it was fine. I too tried everything with her and nothing worked but she was also colic and very unhappy most of the day. My second daughter would only sleep in a baby bjorn front carrier. She was also colic and had acid reflux. If she wasn't in the front carrier she was screaming her head off all day and night. The only way I had time with my eldest or even a second without screaming was using the front carrier. It calmed her right down and put her to sleep. She liked the comfort of being right next to me. The front carrier also freed my hands so I could help my eldest up the slide at the play ground or hold her on the monkey bars (she was only 19mths when I had my second) or cook dinner. If free hands is all you want then use the front carrier. I too wanted some time alone with my eldest but that never happened all newborns are different and my second was the hardest and most unhappy baby I could have imagined. Once she turned 3 mths old she became the best and happest baby ever. The first 3 mths are always the hardest and most demanding. Free time is hard to come by. Good luck with the little one!!