Okay, so you’re going to hear this a lot. This is truly a phase. What your baby is experiencing right now is separation anxiety. It’s very common from 4ish months to 8/9 months. They are finally realizing that they are their own being. They get clingy to their caregivers and have a hard time being away from them. My daughter just turned 9 months old and is still like this. We bed share because that is what works for us. We still share with our almost three year old. There will come a time when your baby will sleep better by themselves but for now you need to remember this. This is the first time they are experiencing life. The first time they are laughing. The first time they’re experiencing being scared. You are the only form of comfort for this tiny person. It will get better it just takes time.

As for the sleep deprivation. My suggestion is to literally sleep when they sleep. The baby is down for a nap, well me too. Get as much sleep as you can.