Is there anyway to change "rocking to sleep" habit,thanks in advance?

Question

I have an 18 month old daughter. I just found out I am pregnant, and am experiencing a lot of nausea and fatigue...

I put my daughter into the habit of rocking, or bouncing her to sleep in her bouncer. She lays on her bouncer and I just bounce her up and down until she falls asleep. Not much of an issue, unless your pregnant. Now, she wakes up in the mid of the night 3-4 times... I have to climb out of bed, put her in her bouncer and rock her until she falls asleep. It's getting very difficult and I cant imagine doing this throughout my pregnancy.

I feel really guilty for putting her into this habit, so, I want to know if anyone has experience breaking the rocking habit for a toddler? if so, PLEASE give me some advice. I really need it,thanks!

Answer 1

get her a rocking crib or bed lol.

Answer 2

I went through this very same thing.  I rocked my first child to sleep every nap time and every night.  When he was only 6 months old, I found out i was pregnant.  I continued through out my pregnancy becuase he would not go to sleep any other way.  When I went into hospital to have my 2nd child, my sitter actually broke him of this bad habbit by putting him in the crib and I guess letting him cry himself to sleep.  Now, i know that seems mean, but it pays off in the long run.  So either you have to find someone who can listen to your child cry or do it yourself.  Its worth it in the long run.  Your arms will thank you too.  Good luck.

Answer 3

We rocked DS until he started sleeping in his big boy bed when he was 27 months old.  We didn't rock him to sleep, though.  I think that we used to, but it just faded with time.  Instead, we would read stories and now we lay in bed with him and read stories until he falls asleep.  Laying down with her might be easier for you.  I know it's going from one habit to another, but it might relieve the guilt of eliminating the rocking/ bouncing.

Answer 4

You should get her out of it sort of slowly.  For two or three nights, rock her and sing (or hum) to her.  For the next two or three nights, sing or hum to her and still rock her, just lighter than normal.  The next two or three nights, continue singing, and rock very lightly.  Do it like that until you get to the point where you don't have to rock her anymore, you can just sing or hum.

And you shouldn't feel guilty.  She probably feels very comforted and content when you rock her.

Good Luck!  And Congratulations =)

Answer 5

I experienced this with both my son and daughter.  Here is what I did.  When I first put him/her down for the night, I would rock him/her until they were almost asleep- don't wait until they are fully asleep.  Then I would lay him/her in the crib.  If he/she cried, I would wait 5 minutes and then come in to the room.  I did not take him/her out of the crib!  This just teaches them that if they cry hard enough, for long enough, they will get what they want.   I would try to soothe him/her by talking with him/her and rubbing his/her back for a few seconds and then leave the room again. If he/she continued to cry again, I would wait another 5 to 7 minutes and go back in the room.  This time I would just talk with him/her for a minute or two and then leave again.  If they continued crying, I would either go back in after 10 minutes or if I heard that the crying was slowing down, I would let him/her cry themselves to sleep.  It is hard the first couple of nights but soon they get the message.  It is a hard habit to break but it has to be done.  Babies need to learn how to soothe themselves.