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Original poster

Did your “rocked to sleep” babies just grow out of it naturally?

16 replies

Pleasesendsleep111 · 09/01/2020 22:39

DD is 13 months, always been rocked to sleep.
I’ve tried multiple methods to wean her off this but she gets too hysterical.

So I’ve just resigned to rocking her (we have a rocking chair so doesn’t hurt my back or anything) but the problem is when we are out and about or at other people’s houses (who don’t have a rocking chair obviously) we struggle getting her to nap.

I thought this might change around her first birthday but we are still doing it now! I wouldn’t mind patting her or singing her to sleep in her cot, I just need to know there will be an end if I’m patient enough!

So to the parents of the babies who were always rocked to sleep, did you just notice it stop suddenly? What age? Did you make any attempt to stop it?

At least I know realistically she won’t need rocking at 12 years old laughs nervously

OP posts:

mindutopia · 09/01/2020 22:48

Yes, it did just eventually stop working, too fidgety, too tired, preferred to cuddle a special toy. I don’t really remember with my oldest one, but I know I was putting her down sleepy but awake around 13 months or so. 2nd one maybe closer to 18-20 months. Both were rocked/fed to sleep before that.

I’ve never done any sleep training. I co slept with the oldest til 3.5 and youngest to nearly 2. When they were ready for something different, it was no big deal. If it’s working, I would keep it up. I think it’s actually much easier to rock them than to read Peter Rabbit six times, so I would make the most of it while it lasts.

MamaRaisingBoys · 09/01/2020 22:55

My rocked to sleep ds started to just be held to sleep in my lap around his second birthday. Now at 2.4 he will lay down for a cuddle.

Complete shocker for me after having ds1 who self settled and slept for 12 hours from 11 weeks.

MazDazzle · 09/01/2020 22:55

Throughout my kids’ early years they were all dependent on something to get them to sleep (complete darkness, me holding them/patting them/shushing then/humming to them, a special toy, having the door firmly closed, having it open, lights on/off ... etc etc). It varied.

Before you know it they’ll have moved on to something else. Hang in there. It’s tough! No advice, but plenty of sympathy.

Interested in this thread?

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Castoreum · 09/01/2020 23:11

I fed mine to sleep and it was at about 18 months that this changed naturally in that it no longer worked! Worked out fine. There was a transition period of about a week or two where everything was hell but DC got the hang of it. Everyone has certain things they need in order to sleep and it changes over time. Don't worry about it.

WindFlower92 · 10/01/2020 00:18

Aagh watching this thread? Mine will only be fed/rocked to sleep and I go back to work on 3 months - what do people do then??

mathanxiety · 10/01/2020 01:10

Yes, all of them. I transitioned to a story or two to replace co-sleeping when they were 2-3. They liked the same stories night after night. I learned a few by heart after a couple of weeks, and could 'read' to them in the dark.

SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing · 10/01/2020 01:14

One did, one didn't. Tbh, I don't think you can really influence how much they sleep really, so just go with whatever option works.

When you're out could you take her for a walk in the pushchair instead, would that work?

haveuheard · 10/01/2020 06:32

No, neither did. DS1 we tried everything at 13months as he was too big to rock to sleep and then lower down into the cot asleep (massive baby!). So we ended up having to do controlled crying.

DS2 got to about 16months and also still couldn't settle himself as he had been rocked or fed to sleep until that point. We had to sleep train him as well but he took to one of the 'gentler' methods.

Stompythedinosaur · 10/01/2020 06:39

Yes, they grew out of it naturally.

Fatted · 10/01/2020 06:44

Yes but it was well before your DC age sorry!!

We started cuddling to sleep about six months because my DS was enormous and it was breaking my back to rock him. Then by a year he just grew out of that and could be put down awake.

With my youngest, I couldn't do all of that with a toddler as well so I started much earlier putting him down in the cot awake with a swaddle and a dummy. He got cuddled to sleep at night because DH was usually home at bedtime to help and I liked the cuddles.

ToTheRegimentIWishIWasThere · 10/01/2020 08:37

Yes, he was about 22/23 months though and I still lie next to him to get him to drop off now (he's 3.2) he'd probably be fine I I didn't but I don't mind. He was an utterly dreadful sleeper for the first two years though so it was path of least resistance.

Camomila · 10/01/2020 08:48

DS transitioned to wanting a story/cuddle in bed around 2 or 3. At nearly 4 if he's poorly or has had a bad dream he still makes daddy carry him around to fall asleep though! (I'm pg and can't lift him)

BlackeyedSusan · 10/01/2020 09:07

Ds rocked himself to sleep in the car seat.

DD we put in a cot in her room and withdrew gradually every night. Can't remember how long it took as ex took over putting her to bed while I fed the baby.

When ex left, ds slept in my bed. I sat with him for a bit then got up and got on with things for a bit.

Spotty528 · 10/01/2020 10:20

Ah rock those sweet babies to sleep for as long as you can,they’ll be too heavy to hold in your arms one day. They do naturally grow out of these phases.

TinyBearCub · 10/01/2020 11:25

I think they all grow out of it at some point and whether you do any 'training' comes down to if they outgrow it before you reach the end of your willingness or ability to do whatever they happen to need at the time.

By 17 months mine was going into her cot awake and rolling over to sleep as I left the room which I would have laughed in your face for suggesting when she was 16 months old (I didn't mind, enjoyed the cuddles). At 19 months she now wants someone to sit with her sometimes stroking her back but she'll grow out of that too, doubtless.

BertieBotts · 10/01/2020 18:41

Yes, some time towards the end of the second year you can start to talk and reason with them, so you can explain that you'll lie with them instead or so on.

At least, thats the theory. I am still feeding my 16mo to sleep every night. I used to lie with DS1 but he coslept and DS2 has a cot. He's to fidgety to leave in our bed alone. I think he's getting further towards the point I can suggest things to him, he's not quite there yet. But understanding more language all the time.

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