Weaning off rocking to sleep

[Lydialego123]

Our LO is almost 10 months and we still rock him to sleep (most of the time it only takes a few mins) but I’d like to be able to put him down to go to sleep on his own before he goes to nursery at 13 months.

I don’t think the methods of leaving him to cry are really for me, unless I really have to.

Has anyone else successfully weaned off of rocking without leaving baby to cry? Would love to hear what you did and how long it took if so!

Thanks xx

[Valerie1900]

Hi I weaned of mine one nit ling ago as he got used to sleep with me for afternoon nap. Everytime I placed him to bed I say " you will go to sleep here today as mummy has things to do, rest well", read a story and give him soothing toy, once i leave room he starting to play with it but falls asleep as it sings and have glowing light on its tummy.. Your LO will be at first dissatisfied with fact that he go to bed without rocking but i believe eventually he will get used to it. Also during day I play with mine one " catch me if you can" so he is waisting his energy crawling away from me(yes I crawl as well) that also helps a lot.

V-tech snuggly elephant

[Lydialego123 in reply to Valerie1900]

Thank you this is really useful I’ll have a look at that toy! Thanks did replying xx

[Valerie1900 in reply to Lydialego123]

I just really hope it helps🥰

[Claireeeeeeeeeeeee]

I wouldn't worry about changing how they get to sleep just for going to nursery as most children sleep in a completely different way at nursery. I was worried about this as my 1st would only go to sleep rocked in a pram but straight away she was sleeping in their cots for naps. We never got her to do this at home. Lots of my friends children were the same. Really hard to get to sleep at home and nursery had no issues.

[Lydialego123 in reply to Claireeeeeeeeeeeee]

Thank you This is interesting to hear, I guess they have their own methods at nursery!

[Sevy571 in reply to Lydialego123]

Hi Lydialego123, I actually read somewhere that it's not really about the nursery having their own methods, but rather about how your baby feels so safe with you that they know they can ask for comfort whenever you are around, ie at home, and so they do (and that's great because otherwise where would they get the attachment and reassurance!). But in nursery, you are not there, so they go to sleep more easily as when it's sleep time it's sleep time without negotiation or soothing mummy around! It could also be that you smell like food (milk) and that distracts baby as well. Perhaps can another person put baby to sleep instead of you? (My baby is not born yet - so I am just reporting what I read and might be wrong!) Xx

[Lydialego123 in reply to Sevy571]

Ah this is interesting and does make sense really! I think I’ll give nursery a call and see what they say so I know for sure, but you are probably right. My husband puts him to bed soon and it’s the same but maybe I can leave him with his grandparents and see how he gets on in the next few weeks, best of luck with the remainder of your pregnancy xx

[Sevy571 in reply to Lydialego123]

I'd be curious what the nursery says too THank you very much and I hope you find a solution soon! Take care xx

[Supergirl87]

Please don’t worry about weaning the LO off! My little one is 16 months and we still rock him toSleep. He goes to 3 different people each week (childminder and 2 sets of grandparents) and he goes to sleep with everyone perfectly fine!

[Lydialego123 in reply to Supergirl87]

Thanks this is good to hear, I also want to stop rocking him at some point as he’s heavy and it hurts my back but I shan’t rush now as I can put up with that for a while!

[LucyHaynes]

I was rocking my LB to sleep and have been since he was born then after speaking to my sister she said she never rocked hers to sleep. I was baffled. After feeding and burping i now put him down and he falls asleep on his own. No special method - I literally put him down and he falls asleep without crying. I didn’t think he would do it 😅.

[Lydialego123 in reply to LucyHaynes]

Oh wow no transition then! That is so good, maybe I am overthinking it, I’m going to chat with my husband to agree what to do but I’m thinking I’ll try this and if it doesn’t work I’ll go for another method. Hopefully we will get there 🤞

[Kyell2]

We started nursery last week at 11 months and he is still being rocked to sleep. His nursery said that they are happy to rock him to sleep if he needs it and this is quite normal so not to worry...he had a nap for them at his first settling in session so I wouldn’t worry too much.

My view has always been that they are only little for such a short time that I’m happy to cuddle to sleep when he wants it 😊