Do you rock your baby to sleep?

Question

My friend says not to rock my baby to sleep from it being born because it will get used to it and to put it down for naps awake? Does anyone do this or does everyone rock?

Answer 1

If you want to rock your baby to sleep, then by all means do it. I rock mine to sleep every chance I get. I love holding him close to me and having that special time together. A friend of mine (we see the same pediatrician) has this conversation with our doctor:

Friend: I rock my baby to sleep. I know the books say not too, but...

Doctor: The books? I rocked both of my kids to sleep until they were 3 years old and I'd still do it today if I could. They are both in their 20's now.

I thought that was one of the sweetest things I'd ever heard, especially coming from an older male. They grow so quickly, I can't believe mine is already 7 weeks. Enjoy this time while you can :)

Answer 2

It depends on the age you're talking about.  I nursed my son to sleep until he was around 6 months old.  Then I would nurse him, and while he was still awake, I would lay him down.  Now I just rock him a little then put him in bed, tell him nighty night, give him his blankie and leave.  

Answer 3

The first few months I rocked her to sleep. i think newborns need that comfort and soothing (you'll see...). i stopped doing it when she was about 3 months. Now she's 7 months and i never rock her to sleep. she just has a really good routine where she goes down awake and falls asleep on her own. I think your friend is partially right. In the beginning you'll need to rock her, but, once she's 3-4 months she'll be able to fall asleep on her if you give her the opportunity.  

Answer 4

I was told that too but when you try to put it into practice it doesn't always work. Plus, when my baby was born i couldn't resist nursing her to sleep. There's plenty of time to get him / her going to sleep by herself and i read somewhere that they can't self soothe until they're 6 months anyway.

Answer 5

I always did because they are only little once and it was such an awesome bonding time for me and my daughter.  Turns out she is my only so I will never regret all the hours of rocking.  God Bless!

Answer 6

my daughter gets laid down to sleep..once in awhile I will hold her and pat her back until she sleep but its very rare...

Answer 7

I did for 2 years.  I miss it terribly now . . . I don't even slightly regret it.  I would never suggest to a new mother that she deprive herself of the joy rocking her sweet little baby . . . It's one of those precious baby memories that are so fleeting but you will always remember (and miss)!

BTW, I stopped because she simply didn't want to be rocked anymore!  Honestly, they grow so fast!

Answer 8

I do not rock my baby to sleep because he sleeps with me, so I just lay him beside me and he falls asleep.

Answer 9

I rock my son to sleep for all his naps during the day, and his dad rocks him to bed at night.  I think we all really enjoy the closeness and cuddling.

Answer 10

Sometimes.  It doesn't always work for us, but nothing works all the time yet...

Answer 11

Yes I still do.I went against everyone's advice and decided that I wanted to do it.I love holding & rocking my baby to sleep.Just sitting there and looking at his sweet little face.There aren't words for it.He will be 5 months old this Friday and I still get comments about the fact that I am still rocking him.I really don't care.They grow up so fast & I don't want to look back and regret not spending time with my child.

Answer 12

I did up until about 8 months.  I will never forget those precious moments....absolutely no regrets at all.  After 8 months I rocked my son until he was almost asleep, then put him down in his crib so he could learn to fall asleep on his own (mainly because my husband and I were going to spend a night alone, and I didn't want grandma to have to rock him all night long!).  He has fallen alseep on his own for 2 months now....no problems.

Babies need closeness to build love and trust.  Rock away!

Answer 13

I didn't rock my twins to sleep all the time because there were two of them and I couldn't.

I did have two cradle swings to do it for me, though.  :-)

Answer 14

I rock or nurse my baby to sleep at night and for all of his naps. It is the best part of my day.  

Answer 15

I never rocked my daughter to sleep.

Answer 16

you know..ive heard this a million times..but..ive always rocked my daughter to sleep. it was he best part of the day cause it was not only relaxing for me and her but it also grew our bond.  it is a great time for singing to your baby or telling stories.  my daughter is 2 now..she grew out of wanting to be rocked on her own.  she now lays down on her own to go to bed while i sing to her or read a book.  dont worry about what other people say.  find your own routine that works for you and go with it.

Answer 17

I rocked my daughter to sleep for every nap and every night she had alittle bit of trouble trying to go to sleep on her own when she got older but babies need that comfort and love they need to bond with you and that is a good way to do that, Good luck

Answer 18

I rocked or held my baby to sleep for the first month or so.  Now she MUCH prefers to go to sleep on her own.  In fact, she cries loudly when I'm in a situation where she HAS to sleep in my arms!  I would do whatever works best for you.  A combination of both is probably the best scenario.

Answer 19

I love rocking my daughter. i rock her to sleep everytime because it is such a special time.  She loves the burp position I guess because she can feel my heartbeat.  It's great!

Answer 20

Yes, we do rock her to an almost asleep state.  When I put her down she does open her eyes but generally falls right to sleep.  Once they are 3-4 months old it is best to put them down drowsy but not asleep.  

Answer 21

i take care of my baby brother

he lives with me

and since he was an infant i rocked him to sleep hes 3 now

and whenever i lay him down for a nap i have to be there with him he wont let me leave til hes asleep..

its that comfort of having me close to him.

i was able to stop rocking him when he was a year and a half...but he makes me lay with him or he wont sleep.

if i would have known this i wouldn't have rocked him to sleep

because theres times i cant lay with him cuz i work from home.

but i do enjoy laying with him sumtimes.

its ur preference whatever u feel comfortable doing.

its ur child whatever u decide I'm sure will be in his best interest. =D

Answer 22

I do not rock my son to sleep, when I see that he is tired, I lay him down and he goes right to sleep. Once in a while he will fuss a bit and I pat his butt for a second, and he's out.

Answer 23

When the baby is first born, you do WHATEVER it takes to get him/her to sleep.  I personally had a little bit of trouble with what you're describing when my daughter got older, but it wasn't a big deal at all.  Now she goes to sleep just fine with a warm bottle or pacifier to get her into the mood.  Last night she fell asleep on the couch while I stroked her hair and her dad got a bottle ready.  She bypassed the bottle and slept just fine.  One thing that WILL get you in trouble is if you let the baby continue to sleep in your arms.  Once he either gets drowsy or falls asleep, put him in his crib.  This'll help him get used to the idea that his crib is for sleeping, and it'll make YOUR sleeping a lot better.  Of course, fudging on this rule every now and then is what makes having a baby so wonderful.  :)