ADVICE PLEASE - WORRIED ABOUT TODDLER ROCKING IN COT

[Sarahx2005]

Our daughter is almost 23 months old and for a few weeks now she has been bouncing or rocking in her cot at night. I used to hear her and didn't think much of it in the beginning and now it's beginning to really worry me. Two doctors have said not to worry. She gets on all fours and bounces backwards and forwards in a rocking motion, she sometimes sings while she's doing it or makes no sound at all. She also does it if I disturb her which makes me think it's a comfort thing. She seems to wake in the early hours and does it then, sometimes she gets up and her forehead is bright red where she's been rubbing it on the sheets. It's probably nothing to worry about but because we lost our son 3 years ago to a brain tumour we worry about every little detail.
Part of me wants to take her for a scan just to put our minds at rest, but I realise the enourmity of putting her and us through the trauma of a scan and waiting for the results.
I've not really discussed this with anyone else, so your thoughts would be very much appreciated, especially if you have had a similar experience of this strange rocking or know of anyone who has. She's a happy healthy toddler the rest of the time and progressing really well.

[spacecadet]

im sure that its not uncommon and children can do it when they are bored, could you ask your HV for advice?

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[shrub]

Hi Sarahx2005 - Not sure if this will help but my ds1 use to press his head against the top of the cot to go to sleep and someone recommended a cranial osteopath. Didn't know what to expect as hadn't tried alternative route. It was a revalation, my ds fell asleep in his arms and went home and slept for 4 hours after each session. Talked about the birth and he told me his head was tight, trying to remember I think he called it the 'plates'. Anyway have since taken him once a year and he really loves and relaxes straight away which is unusual given he is quite highly strung (like his mum!)If you are interesteed and live near Devon I could email details. Didn't know at the time but he is world renowned and people fly from all over to have treatment.
Another thought is that it may just be a way to get back to sleep? An ex-boyfriend use to rock his head from side to side to get to sleep.
Does she do this if she is in the bed with you?

[mummytosteven]

I agree with Spacecadet. DS (23 months) sometimes rocks back and forth and bangs his head against the buggy seat cover when he is in his buggy when he is overtired - I would speak to HV/GP as you do sound very worried, and hopefully they can put your mind at rest.

[Sarahx2005]

We took her to a cranial osteopath when she was tiny. Might be worth thinking about it again though. She never comes in our bed so I wouldn't know whether she would do it or not.
I think it's partly to help her get to sleep as she does it before she goes to sleep. Not sure why she does it in the early hours though, maybe for the same reason but not sure. Thanks for your replies.
Sarah x

[waterfalls]

My ds has done exactly as you describe since he could get up on all fours, and he still does it now, though not on all fours, in the sitting position instead, he has just turned 5, I think it is a comfort thing as he never had a dummy, was not interested in teddies to sleep with or security blanket etc.

[Sarahx2005]

My friend said her husband did it when he was a baby too.
She has a dummy and a comforter.

[waterfalls]

Yes my dh did it as a baby too.

[Sarahx2005]

Waterfalls that is such a comfort to know. She sometimes does it for a couple of hours, not often but sometimes. Did he do it for long periods?

[waterfalls]

Yes he did, used to drive me nuts listening to the cot creaking for hours on end.

[Sarahx2005]

Yes I know what you mean. She wakes me up most mornings now in the early hours. No wonder I'm always tired!
Sarah x

[Sarahx2005]

Anyone else have any advice?

[littlelamb]

Hi. My dd is 20 months and has done this for as long as I can remember- she'll get on all fours and rock in her cot. It worried me for a while, but I really think she just does it for comfort - if she stirs during the night she'll do it for about 30 seconds before she settles back down again. If she was doing it during the day it would maybe worry me a bit more, but the fact is this is only happening at night. She has no dummy or comforter so I think this is just her way of self soothing. FWIW, dd has been in a big bed for a couple of weeks now, and the rocking has definately got a bit less frrequent, which makes me think she also liked the sensation of her wobbly cot rocking underneath her! It might be worth moving her to a big bed, dd has had no problems at all with the transition, in fact she loves her bed! Hope that's helped in some tiny way x

[Sarahx2005]

That's brilliant and such a help, thank you.
Sarah x