Connor has never been a "rock me" kind of baby. He would always fuss and move around in your lap just wanting to be laid down in his crib and swaddled. He would then turn his little head and go straight to sleep. This was the case up until about a week ago. He then decided he no longer wanted to be swaddled because his hands were way to much fun to put in his mouth and rub his eyes, yet he couldn't get comfortable enough to fall asleep quickly.
This weekend we were having one of our fits where I would put him down and he would move around until the paci fell out, cry, I would put it back in and then put this on repeat. So finally I just picked him up and rocked him. And what do you know... we have been rocking since. Now, I know everyone says "don't start rocking them, you will never be able to stop". Even I said that when he was little. But my heart started hurting a bit when every night I would just go put him down and he didn't want me to hold him. So, I guess it's a delicate balance but I loved rocking him this weekend and I hope we continue to do that. I always wanted a bedtime ritual of reading and tucking my kids in, but that really starts with Rocking, doesn't it?!
"Rocking chairs, rocking babies, rock-a-bye, rock of ages. Side by side we'll be together always" Dolly Parton
Well now that's just about the sweetest thing I've ever heard!
ReplyDeletei say, rock that baby! they're only little for so long, and these moments are so precious. i used to rock macy before her nap time/bed time but would put her in her crib before she fell asleep (except when she was tiny tiny and sleeping off and on throughout the day, then i would sometimes hold her while she slept). she kinda 'weaned' herself off rocking with me a couple of months ago and i miss it so bad! i loved rocking her, and now she's too busy running around to let me hold her and rock her.. so we just naturally transitioned to a slightly different bed time routine.
ReplyDeleteBring him to me and we will rock and snuggle all night long :) Emma doesn't have to rock, but she does like to snuggle before bed. I think me laying down with her helps her settle down for the night. She doesn't always go to sleep, but it helps her be settled once I put her in her crib. If I could climb into her crib with her, I probably would. Haha!
ReplyDeleteI wish Asher would let me rock him. He would let me do it when he was little and still being swaddled, and he lets me rock him when he's sick, but now all he wants to do is climb all over me. He did fall asleep in my lap hugging me at the football game last weekend. That was the sweetest feeling!! It's very rare that he ever does that. He also roots around in the bed before going to sleep. Maybe tonight I'll try your technique.
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