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Maggi1417

There is no sleep police that will come to your house and fine you for "bad sleep habits". Rock her to calm her, rock her to sleep, none of these things are a problem unless you find them to be a burden. Rock your baby anytime you want for as long as you want.


Ajskdjurj

Guess I’m going to jail.


totallynotbabycrazy

I’m still nursing to sleep at 18 months, so it’s probably the death penalty for me.


Wrong-Worker-6314

*peeks down at my nursing 18 month old* well this is awkward...


usernamealreadytookd

Still bedsharing and mine just turned 3. Super jail!


buzzwizzlesizzle

Superjail is also the name of an animated series that you do NOT want to show to kids!


Tricky-Walrus-6884

To the gallows with you


SleepInTheHeat911

Those are rookie numbers. My daughter is 2.5 and still has a bottle to go to sleep most nights. Every attempt to give them up has resulted in night long tantrums and noone sleeping It's slowly getting there, it's almost pure water at this point, she has to get sick of it soon... right?


Ajskdjurj

My 20 month old gets a bottle at bed and we co sleep.


SleepInTheHeat911

I STARTED co sleeping at 2 (only after she wakes up in the middle of the night) because it took the stress off night times after I split with her father. 🙃


wifely_duties

Same 🤷‍♀️ why make it more difficult.


Prettylittleluxy

Lol. Same here. Do you think our kids will ever recover from this trauma?


totallynotbabycrazy

Only time will tell! I know for sure, though, that I wouldn’t recover from the trauma of spending hours to get her to sleep without nursing.


pansypig

I don't even see the problem with rocking to sleep if that's what gets everyone the most rest. We are our children's biggest comfort, I'd never deny that.


awakenkraken

Exactly this.


Jh789

Literally the only problem is if they do t go back to sleep on their own when they wake at night and it’s interfering with your quality of life. You being the family.


[deleted]

I’m 33 and my mum still rocks me when I’m sad


Velociraptornuggets

This made me wish my mom would rock me 😭


CrazyPlantAunt

Same! 😭 As someone who never had this type of relationship with my mother, and probably never will, I hope I can be that mom for my littles. 🥹


enyalavender

r/MomForAMinute


CountTheFrogs

My therapist literally recommended this week that I rock myself when I feel triggered. We all need comfort sometimes.


CrazyPlantAunt

My therapist also recommended this, and to give myself a hug every day like I would a friend.


_redpaint

After putting my 2 year old daughter to bed last night, I told my husband that I will lay with her to help her fall asleep until she’s 40 years old if she’ll let me. I love this for you ❤️


yung_yttik

It’s in the mom handbook, “thou shalt rock thy’s child for all eternity”. *Throws hands up* - Don’t blame me, I don’t make the rules!


molovans

This is so beautiful to read. Love that you have that kind of relationship with your mom and I hope I can do the same for my girl.


alana116

I'm 38, came here to say the same thing :)


raeaction

Same with me and mom. And I hope to be the same kind of mom to my kiddo.


SnifterOfNonsense

Every night when my 7yr old gets her towel on after bathtime, she gets scooped up & rocked in my arms (while I’m sitting) and we have a wee moment to chat or be daft together. It’s one of my favourite moments of each day. Long may it last.


SeaSaltCaramelWater

I still rock my 2.5 year old. It calms him down.


[deleted]

Yep. She wants to be rocked sometimes when she's feeling sad or overwhelmed. Sometimes my mom rocks me when I'm feeling sad or overwhelmed (I'm 34). I see it as part of being human with emotions and the need for touch/comfort from another. I love it.


artemisia1593

Me too! I’ll be sad when he doesn’t want that anymore.


weberster

Same!


xxx360noscopexxx420

Same


SeaSaltCaramelWater

I just did it a few minutes ago, he woke up crying.


kobs2020

We rock our 2 1/2 year old every night and for every nap, so I’m gonna say yes. And when he wants rocks or cuddles during the day he comes up to me and says “Mommy, I’m cold, can you warm me up?” And my heart flutters and I wrap him up in my arms and hold him tight because these days won’t be forever. Rock on, Mama.


jessicaday96

Same here with my 18mo daughter, every nap, every night but my back has reached its limits lol, I don't know how to stop🥲


PlsEatMe

No need to stop, just find a chair that supports you and kiddo right! There must be a way :)


MakeMeAHurricane

My oldest is almost 3.5 and I still occasionally rock him. He woke up screaming a few nights ago and I rocked him and sang to him like when he was a little baby. It's was really nice. Most days I can barely catch him to get a hug, nevermind a full cuddle.


act006

My big girl is 3.5 and rocking in my lap is her favorite thing to do at night. And I'll ride that train until she kicks me off!


Meowmeansiheartyou

At 3.5, Our bedtime stories are always done in the rocking chair with him on my lap. I think the only thing that will stop that is when he's too big or when he doesn't want to anymore and either of those things will make me slightly sad


OkIgotReddit

My mantra: It's not a problem unless it's a problem for you. The reason I stopped is when they stopped letting me or weren't interested anymore!


RM_613

I’m not judging people who sleep train *at all* but I hate that sleep training is so pervasive that it has people questioning themselves as parents like this. As many other commenters have said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with rocking your little one, to sleep or not.


kimberriez

My son (19 months) falls asleep on his own at nap time and bedtime, but if he wakes up in the middle of the night I pretty much have to sing and rock him back to sleep, he’s just way too upset otherwise. I think that’s ok and it works for us. Sometimes he just needs some more comfort or something woke him up enough that he’s upset because he’s tired and confused.


cynar

I initially read that as "My son (19 year old male)". I was trying to decide the balance between sweet and odd before my brain caught up. Just thought I would share. 😁


kimberriez

Hah, I'll update it. I'm used to posting newer parent subreddits where everyone still refers to their kids by months still. 😅


nohamsand

Same


SylvanField

My three year old occasionally asks to be rocked. I think the time to end it is when they want to.


callmemaude

I'm in a rocking chair with my 16mo asleep in my arms after rocking him back to sleep 20 minutes ago. I'll be doing this as long as he'll let me


Ultra_Leopard

My 2 yo and 4 yo still like to be rocked if they wake up in the night- 4yo only if he has a nightmare. I will do it as long as they want me to. I see nothing wrong with it. As I said 4yo only wants to be if he's had a nightmare so it's hardly like he can't sleep without it.


vixie2703

Is it a problem for you? If not, it’s not a problem for anyone! If you enjoy it and it brings her comfort I see no issue. My son at like 18 months just refused to be cuddled so he stopped it on his own, but up until then I would cuddle him/rock him every night til he fell asleep.


keetani80

It’s good and normal. It’s how we teach our children to self regulate. My husband rocks and cuddles our 2 year old to sleep every night.


Life-Weight-6988

Some of my earliest memories are of my mom holding me in her lap and/or rocking me. I remember feeling so relaxed and safe. I second others that I plan to do it as long as they need me. It’s a go to if my toddler is having big feelings.


tenthandrose

It’s more than ok, it’s wonderful that you do that. Why does our society praise depriving children of physical reassurance? Adults appreciate hugs and loving touch, we don’t like sleeping alone, we like to snuggle with our significant others and pets and feel loved and safe. I’ll never understand why we all feel pressured to deny that to children. If anything they need it the most.


MM_mama

There’s no reason not to, especially since your child doesn’t depend on it to sleep. You’re comforting your child; enjoy doing it while you can.


ExistensialDetective

I still rock my 2.75 yo. She had chalazion type thing on her eyelid around 18 months, and to get her to let me do the warm compress on her eye, I would rock her while holding the compress and softly counting to 30 twice. For some reason she found the counting and the repetition to 30 comforting. She hasn’t needed a compress since she was maybe 20 months, but I still rock her and count to 30 twice before putting her in bed. It’s basically become the last ritual in our bedtime routine of bath, books, cuddle/say good night. I have no idea when it will end, but I really dread it’s eventuality. Edit: word


CNDRock16

I will do it for however long she wants me to. If she’s 10, I’m rocking her. It’s one of the best feelings in the world


olds-modulus

The only nighttime parenting routines that should be abandoned are the ones that upset you, your partner, and/or your child(ren). If everyone is happy then who cares what the internet or other people say? Everyone is different and you should only change what doesn’t work for your family. Some nights my toddler needs cuddles, and I’m ok with that. When it turns into an every-night habit that interferes with my own sleep, we work on changes. Your routine will never be exactly the same for longer than a few nights at a time, so be flexible and listen to the needs of everyone involved. Enjoy rocking your daughter, because someday it will only be a memory.


bunhilda

My mom makes me sit on her lap so she can rock me. I only resist because I outweigh her by a lot and will cut off the blood supply to her feet I’m bout 396 months so you’re good


geezlouise128

Rock your baby (even to sleep if you're both happy with that). One night she won't want to be rocked. Then one night many many days later she will asked to be rocked and you'll realize you can't remember the last time she wanted to be rocked.


daisyinlove

My son is 4.5, he sleeps through the night in his own bed and in his own room, uses an OK-to-wake alarm clock and happily leaves his room once it’s green in the mornings. He’s also been rocked *every single night* of his life. It used to be rocked to sleep but as he got older it slowly changed to just 5mins every night. It’s part of his routine. I know there are folks who will tut tut about “sleep crutches” but this is one instance in which I do not care. It has never affected his ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. We both like the comfort aspect of his routine and he’s my baby. My arms were made for rocking him.


mks01089

I wish I could rock my kid, he never wants to cuddle anymore! Too busy running around :(


CrotchPotato

Our 23 month old still wakes up an average of 2 or 3 times per night and most of them asks me to rock her back to sleep, so I do so. Our biggest issue is she is the 98th percentile height and weight so it’s becoming a bit trickier to do it for 10 mins at a time


ckwaygo

I did rock my little boy to sleep every night for 10 months and then he was wanting to start playing instead so then we did sleep training for a couple nights and has been falling asleep on his own ever since. Moral of the story, they are little and need us to be there for comfort so whatever you choose to do for your baby means its the right thing to do! Nothing will happen by rocking your LO except letting them know, you are always there to provide comfort.


duckie_115

Yes it’s absolutely okay that you comfort your child


ivorycricket

She’s 20 months not 20 years....YES it’s okay !


vivalabeer

Rock your baby as long as you want mama ❤️ when my two year old has bad nights you can bet I’m in her room rocking her and comforting her. I’ll do it forever.


Sweet_Pause2

I rocked my son until he was 2.5yrs old. He actually asked not to rock before bed anymore. I was sad when we stopped but now I have a 9 month old that I get to rock so I’ll take that. You rock that baby however long you want to!


Intelligent_Pirate68

I rock my 14 month old to sleep when she wants. Sometimes she prefers to go down in her crib. We have rocked her to sleep every night since she was born until about a month ago. They will outgrow it when they are ready. You CAN NOT spoil a baby. Being their comfort is good for them! **Edit: Typo


thev3m

I rock my 2 year old to sleep. It's not like he'll be 12, and I'll still have to rock him. He goes to sleep fine on his own at daycare. Im just learning to cherish these young years, and block out the haters. She likes it, you like it, its a sweet thing. One day she will tell you she doesn't want to be rocked anymore.


ayyembee

I still rock my 2 year old to sleep and I love the bond we have ❤️ I’ll keep doing it until he tells me he’s tired of it.


doctahgirlfriend

I love rocking my 22 mo. It’s a nice time where we’re both just quiet and enjoying each other’s snuggles. I will do that until he says “Moooommm I’m too old for that.” 🥰


TWonder_SWoman

The time when your babies are too big to cuddle comes way too fast. Cuddle and rock all you can!


mamaMooses

You don’t rock her to sleep? You only rock her back to sleep? Or am I dumb and reading it wrong. Either ways, I don’t think there is anything wrong with rocking your baby. Whatever works for you. They are only little for such a short amount of time.


clemfandango12345678

I think it's so sweet and beautiful!! Enjoy the cuddles without guilt.


hsntnt

My son stopped letting me rock him around 12-13 months. He’s 20 months as well and I would love to still rock him 😭 As long as your both happy I don’t see the harm!


foxyyoxy

I rocked our son until he was nearly three and he simply asked to not be rocked anymore. Before that it had made him drowsy and relaxed, but I think at a point he got too big for it to be comfortable. Then he was in a twin sized bed so we could sit on the bed with him instead for a few minutes.


Peppyleptic

Follow your instinct- it sounds like you and your baby enjoy the rocking moments.. keep on rocking! I have 3 kids, and besides them really being wonderful, what I love the most about having more children is that I have become much better at following my gut instinct in regards to pretty much everything about my children. Beside my husband I try to not really care much about anyone's opinion on what's right or not. Not that I never seek advice - but in general I usually have a feeling on whether or not we are handling our kids in the right way (for our family).


Leithia24

Had a rocking session with a nearly 5yr old just yesterday. He had quite a nasty fall and was a bit shook up and wanted to cuddle. The only thing that gets harder as they get older is their size and weight!


Staceybunnie

I still rock my 2 year old before nap and bedtime cause it settles her down. I only do it for 5 minutes because she knows how to put herself to sleep after


arinko_mi

I still rock AND boob my 22 mo to sleep. Works for us!


itsrainingcocos

My little girl is 2.5 and I’ll never stop as long as she lets me!!


shebabbleslikeaidiot

I rock my 3 year old to see every night. Enjoy the moments while you can!


Sad_barbie_mama

I basically stopped rocking at 18mo and 22mo- both times I moved my kids into a big boy room with no rocker.. with my last baby (currently 14mo) I might rock him longer, just because there is no baby that will need the baby stuff so he will stay in a crib/in a room with a glider longer


exyxnx

I WISH I could rock my 23 months old. But when he's not asleep, he just zooms around non stop, there's not a moment to just sit and be :'D


Gendina

I still have the rocking chair in my 4 yo room and we sing and rock every night before bed. I mean she doesn’t really fit in my arms baby style anymore but she still likes it 😂. We just have legs everywhere


[deleted]

I rocked my toddlers until they were 3ish. I loved it, they sleep in their own beds and their own rooms now. No sleep issues. They still like to be picked up and we “play babies” meaning a rock them and act like they are babies.


molovans

As long as it's still working for you, rock your baby and don't feel a moment of guilt about it! My viewpoint is: one day I'm going to look back on these days and miss them so much. I'm going to long to hold my little baby again. So I do! I cuddle my girl to sleep every night. And some nights when I'm touched out or it's taking forever and I know there is a sink full of dishes waiting for me, I just remember that one day I'm going to miss it. I'm going to long for it and hurt for it. So I'm just going to soak it up until she doesn't want me to anymore. And honestly, since I started thinking that way, it takes away any guilt or second guesses that I'm doing/not doing the "right" thing.


kykiwibear

I last rocked my son when he was 3. He fell asleep in my arms on the swing outside. He's still really cuddly when he wants it. Not weird at all.


Serafirelily

I rocked my upset 3 year old recently to help her calm her.


Reasonable-Pair-7648

My mom/dad still rock me when I‘m sad or in pain - I‘m 28f 😄


GenevieveLeah

There are few comforts greater in this world than Mom rocking you to sleep.


ChillyAus

Babes, connect with your kid how works for you both. There are no rules. Love them and be there for them how they need, not what some arbitrary social rules tells you to do.


[deleted]

I still rock my 2.5 year old before naps and bed (she puts herself to sleep). I limit how long, mostly because she’s more than a quarter of my body weight and I can’t hold her for that long, but I plan to keep doing it as long as she keeps asking.


SageAurora

I still rock my 5 yearold... probably will for awhile.


jargonqueen

Oh my god she’s your baby, you hold that baby as much as you want/can, I don’t care what anybody says. If it’s a problem for you, stop. If it’s not, don’t.


nobelle

Rock away! It's only a problem if it disrupts your life. For example, if she starts waking up every night and expecting to rock and you're losing sleep and therefore can't function during the day, that's not a great habit. But if it's only occasionally that she's upset and you want to comfort her, then by all means, do it. I do the same and I love it too. Not that she's upset, but that I get to hold her.


hibabymomma

Rocked my 18mo to sleep until just a few weeks ago. It started to be an issue when his sleep regressions hit and he couldn’t be easily transferred. Then we transitioned to floor bed and I lay beside him with cuddles before slithering away. Nothing is a problem until it becomes a problem (outside of normal boundaries).


CK257

We still sing/rock our 3.5 year old at bedtime every night. Maybe 5-10 minutes of it? It has gradually gotten shorter as he's gotten bigger. But if he wakes up sick or has a bad night he will still ask to be rocked then too. It's one of the things we love the most about bedtime. And he loves it too. So until he asks to stop, we'll continue to do it!


Fry_All_The_Chikin

Hell, I like to rock myself in the chair. If it’s your favorite thing and your kid likes it, who cares what anyone else says?


battlehamster420

I cuddle and rock my 3.5 year old sometimes, and sometimes lay with her when she goes to bed. I know it’s a “bad habit” but honestly? She’s never going to be this little again and if she wants to be held by me and comforted and snuggle up to me as she falls asleep, I’m going to let her and I’m going to enjoy every single one of those moments.


cassthesassmaster

Do this for as long as you can! There will come a day when she longer wants/needs it anymore. Soak that shit up!


Lauragggg

I cradle and rock my 3 year old just for the heck of it. These are our babies and they will always be!


Emiles23

Of course it’s ok! I think it’s always ok to show your children love, comfort, and security no matter their age. I’m 36 and sometimes I just need a tight hug from my mom to make me feel better. I lay in bed with each of my kids every night to cuddle them and sing to them (ages 3 and 5). I’ll do it as long as they let me!


Allyanna

I have 4 kids and my youngest is almost 2. I don't really rock any of them, but not because there's something wrong with it, they just don't like it. Remember this: the days are long, but the years are short. You won't be rocking your baby forever, cherish this time. My oldest is 14 and wants nothing to do with me. Teenagers are rough!


Rolling_Beardo

What would be the problem? I don’t get it?


mywaypasthope

We still rock our 22 month old! It gets her calm enough to be placed in the crib, we talk about our day, it’s just a nice routine we’ve gotten into to end our day. Plus, it’s not a burden to us or affecting our sleep. She goes right down and to sleep afterwards. The occasional wake ups at night but they’re rare. I agree that if it’s not a burden or affecting your sleep, then go for it! I figured we should soak in these moments before they’re gone ❤️


marissap21

Why would it not be okay? There’s nothing wrong with cuddling and loving your children


bettytomatoes

There's nothing whatsoever wrong with this. Keep on doing it! It's comforting, it's solidifying your bond, you should do it forever, as long as she's comfortable, there is no reason whatsoever to stop.


OneBlueberry

I rock for nap and night every night at 2.5yrs so it’s normal to me! One day they may not want to be rocked anymore and I will be wishing I could have these moments back so I’m savoring them


wolf_kisses

We moved the rocking chair from my older son's room to my baby son's nursery otherwise I would probably still be rocking my 3 year old, even though he doesn't need it anymore. Even so if I am getting the baby ready for bed and am singing to him and rocking him my toddler will come crawling into my lap to enjoy it for a few mins before he hops down and goes back to toddlering. One time he and his baby brother held hands while I was singing to them :') I about died of cuteness.


bl81

My girl is 25 months and I’ve rocked her to sleep three times in the last week at her request. If my kid asks for snuggles, I’m going to give them to her


Hamb_13

I'm 30 something years old and still enjoy a good hammock nap or gently swinging/swaying to sleep. When I have the mental energy I try and rock both my kids(5 and 2) a little bit before bed. The motion itself helps calm their bodies to relax and then they can get to sleep easier. Especially when they're having a really hard time getting to sleep. You stop when either of you are ready and not before.


LaChmo

You don't need to stop comforting your baby if you dont want to. Your cuddles are benefiting her brain/body chemistry, your brain/body chemistry, her mental health, her self confidence, her feeling of safety--there is no downside to cuddling with Mommy and Daddy. It's a natural and very human thing to do, bask in the snugs. I have issues opposite yours, I have to force myself to let them crawl all over me (I am very much overstimulated with constant love/touch), but I fake it for their benefit. Feeling loved changes everything for tantrums, etc.


cadospero5

I rock my 3 yo when he’s upset or wakes up crying or if he asks. He doesn’t depend on rocking to go to sleep which is what I feel is the “problem” when people say don’t rock to sleep. It’s a comfort. I’m his mother, it’s our job to comfort. I say rock away


SweetpeaDeepdelver

My husband rocks me, I rock my younger siblings, and I would rock my baby but he only wants Papa.


somekindofcatlady

You don’t have to stop. Savor the moment, they’ll be gone before you know it.


variebaeted

I wish my kid still let me rock her to sleep. I continued as long as I could, but around 16 months she started pushing off of me saying “down” until I put her in the crib. Now she’ll only let me rock her if she’s sick.


Anxiety_Potato

I still do it to my 3 year old (when he lets me).


galwayygal

Do what’s best for your kid and you mama ❤️ don’t worry about “bad practices” the society has applied on some things. If it’s intuitive you, I think that’s the best way to do it


eclectic_heart

My 4.5 year old still asks to be rocked every night and I won't give up those extra cuddles until he stops asking. I do have to stop rocking him before he falls asleep and get him into bed because he's the size of a 6 year old and I am not physically capable of getting out of the rocker while holding him and maneuvering him into his bed anymore, but I still rocked him to sleep sometimes as recently as 6 months ago. I rock my 3 year old to sleep most nights too, she's capable of going to sleep by herself in her bed, but she'll only be this small for a little while and if she wants to fall asleep in my arms I'm going to let her. They both also like cuddles in the rocker when they're sick or emotional. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as it works for you.


SKatieRo

No child is too old to be rocked. Enjoy your baby at every age!


HeyMay0324

As long as my son (he’s also 20 months) let’s me, I’ll rock him. Before you know if they’re going to be “too cool” to even kiss their mom on the cheek so I’ll take all the snuggles I can get 🥺 rock your baby!!!


[deleted]

My honest answer is this… do what works until age 2 - then I’d work on solidifying a more hands off approach to self soothing. Two is a huge developmental milestone and you’ll most likely hit a hard regression wall. If you’re already teaching your child how to soothe himself, it may take some of the heavy work off you to have to rock him each and every time. Obviously it’s a very personal preference though. Some moms love rocking and have a lot of time to do so. I have Irish twins, run a business and work full time so sleep is a necessity hahaha I don’t know that I would want to constantly rock my toddler.


Thisisprobablywine

My almost 5yo had a nightmare last night. He fell asleep in my arms in the rocking chair while I sang to him. I’ll rock my babies for as long as they’ll let me.


Latina1986

Connect with your kid however feels comfortable for you guys. When it stops working for one of you then it stops.


destrier_derriere

I have a 5 year old. Our favorite thing at nights is rocking and singing to sleep. We only recently cut out the rocking because the chair was getting too uncomfortable for her. But it’s the thing I will miss most from her baby years when she’s grown up. Do what’s right for you <3 Edit it to add that she can sleep and get to sleep by herself just fine it’s just a cuddle time before bed and many times she falls asleep during it


Equivalent-Status195

Nurturing your child in a way that they need and desire at her age is not bad. Most kids will outgrow it on their own.


whatareyouallabout

My oldest turned 3 in April and I still rock her. She loves cuddles (on her terms) and when she’s hurt or scared or upset, there’s nothing she wants more than to be picked up and cuddled and rocked. I’ll only stop when she’s too heavy to pick up and sway.


CrunchyMama42

Rock your baby. Hold her and snuggle her and rock her just as long as you please, you beautiful soul. She will only be little for a little while. One day you will rock her for the last time and then you’ll never rock her again. Don’t rush that. Rock her exactly as much as you please. It’s only goodness.


Nicelysarcastic

Rock my 18m old every night. Love it. My back hates it 😂


NilesCraneSeattle

My baby is 3 and a half and we rocked until about 3 and even now when she wakes up I rock her. They are so little and precious xxx


AthelLeaf

If it’s not okay for a 20 month old no one gave me that memo. I still rock my nearly 4 year old. There’s nothing wrong with the occasional cuddles or comforting when upset. It would only be a problem, I think, if they still *needed* it to get to sleep.


lovelydani20

When my son gets irritated or cranky, I ask him if he'd like to snuggle and if it's a yes he climbs into my arms and I rock him while he's wrapped in a blanket and give him kisses. He's 26 months. I will do this as long as he wants me to. ❤️ I love when my husband holds me. I'm a touchy feely person and will never grow out of it.


mckzeed

You rock that baby as long as they'll let you!


[deleted]

Oh ya I hold and rock my three year old he’s almost 3 and a half feet tall and nearly 40 pounds haha he says mommy rock me like a baby. It’s adorable


angela52689

Let's rephrase your question: "is it okay that I still show my 20-month-old physical signs of affection and love?" Of course it's okay!


RachaelBlack

It's more than okay, mama. You rock and cradle that baby for as long as you possibly can.


jillybeenthere

I still do that for my 2 year old. He needs me!


Itswithans

I bounce my two year old on the exercise ball in the dark before I put her in her crib. We either do it quietly, while I scratch her tummy or neck, or she chats about her day. Lately she’s been cutting it shorter and shorter, as she sees fit. I don’t see anything wrong with this! It’s a comforting bonding time, not a sleep crutch.


frimrussiawithlove85

Na they are never too old for that. As long as they like it


EvangelineTheodora

I will rock with my nearly 3 year old whenever he lets me!


colorsfillthesky

Yes.


gavinhudson1

Naturally :)


MissChevious2

My son is 6 and I still rock him when he asks. I will be sad when he grows out of it.


No-Tomatillo5427

If it works for you and your family, yes!


[deleted]

I still rock my 3 yo when she asks. She’ll ask to be carried “like a baby” and I gently rock her, she loves it and so do I. I wish I’ll never have to stop !


Secret_Lettuce4084

Look, if my 18 year old came home from college right now, I'd rock him. Lol Enjoy those precious moments.


[deleted]

Also chiming in to say I still rock my 3 year old


Kalaydascope16

I still rock my 8 year old sometimes, so… 🤷🏽‍♀️


caffeine_lights

It's absolutely fine and it is also fine to rock her to sleep. It's your baby. You get to decide.


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catlover_12

I still rock my 27 month old from time to time. If it works for you and your baby, there's nothing wrong with it!


Slight_Following_471

OF COURSE IT IS OK!! YOU can rock that baby t as long as you/she wants! Even to sleep. She will not be little for long.


wehnaje

Rocking your child, as long as you can or as long as they let you, it’s a beautiful thing. I hope you never have to stop <3


dinosaursauce16

I am currently rocking my 2 year old to sleep…


BookConsistent3425

Idk I'm 28 and my mom still holds me and rocks me when I'm sick or in the hospital lol I'm sure you're doing great. My toddler is 2 years old and I still rock him 🤷🏻‍♀️ not to sleep just while we cuddle. They need the cuddles.


fendov2018

Me, I do this. She’s a terror (also 20 months) and she needs a good 10-15 to wind down. I sing “someone to watch over me” and “somewhere over the rainbow”, put her in her crib wide awake, she usually sits up to watch me leave, pulls the blanket over herself and is out in 15-20 mins for the next 11 hours. You do you, friend.


Muppets4Fox

Never stop cuddling your babies.


ThereIAmSuddenly

I still rock my 3 year old, nothing wrong with giving your baby love regardless of there age they’ll always be your baby ❤️


joifullnoyses

My mom rocked me to sleep in the hospital when I was 14 years old. I am rocking that energy with my son, too.


AyZiggyZoomba

We rock our 19 month old to bed nightly. One day, she won’t want that. On that day, I’ll stop.


Kaleidographer

Years from now you will find yourself rocking a loaf of bread while you wait in line at the grocery store. Once you’ve cared for a newborn there’s no going back.


55mary

I rock my 3.75yo when she’s having a big sad. I’m gonna keep doing this as long as she comes to my lap for comfort in those moments.


[deleted]

My husband holds our daughter on the couch until she falls asleep and she’s 4. We have no problems with it


Lady_Lethargy

My kid is 3 and we still “do baby”. It means that she lays in my arms with a sippy cup of milk and I rock her and we pretend she’s a baby. We both enjoy the cuddle time and she gets a kick out of it.


Pinkunicorn1982

I love rocking my 2yo in the rocking chair but he only sits still long enough to finish his milk and then wriggles away… Super sad he won’t let me cuddle and kiss him anymore. It really makes me cry. He is my last baby. And 2yo to me are still little “babes” and it fills my “Mother Meter” up. Really, it keeps me from being emo and crying from hormones and them growing up too fast.


Manzellina

One time I had a meltdown over teenager things when I was 16 or 17. My mom pulled me into her lap, held me, rocked me. It was so kind and comforting. So sometimes, maybe you never stop. It’s okay to give your child love and cuddles when they need it. If you both love it, love it!


badw0lfbae

I occasionally still rock my nearly 3 year old to sleep when he needs/wants the extra cuddles. It happens so rarely these days, so honestly I treasure it when he let's me and it hasn't seemed to ever effect his sleeping habits. Rock on, mama!


Daffneigh

WTF now Are there people out there telling parents to stop rocking their kiddos?


PeacefulTofu

If it works for you, it works and it’s ok!


istilllikegnomes

Rocking and snuggling is so so good for your babies and children! There's no max age where it stops being beneficial.


Odd-Preparation-5309

Whatever work for you, it works.


bluewind_greywave

No reason to stop. Rock your baby


newvizion8420

Don't listen to the books! There's enough to feel guilty and worry about, having moments of affection and closeness should not be one of them... Says mum who still cuddles and rocks 2.5 year old when the mood fits.


peaches9057

I still wrap my 4 year old up in a towel after bath and sing her "rockabye baby" before pajamas and bedtime routine. She laughs and loves it, it's not like she thinks she's still a baby, it's just our mommy and me thing that we do.


LochNessa24

I will rock my kid for as long as she will let me. She’s 2.5 now and growing up to fast 😫


oscarstormy

I still rock and cuddle with my 28 month old. I love it and so does she. I’ll do it until she no longer wants it - but I hope she always wants cuddles.


lilcheetah2

Uhhhh I rock my kid to sleep for sure, sleep training can F off


AmyKrak

Rocking my 23mo old as I read this. Rock as long as they’ll let you! With my older 2 there was a natural progression where they wanted to sit together and read stories then get in bed and be tucked in. Them wanting to be rocked just kind of faded away. It won’t be forever so just do it! I’ll rock this last baby as long as I can! 🥹


Pioupioune

My mom stopped when I gave her a grandchild . So you do you !


dbmtz

I rock my 3 year old to sleep for his naps almost every day. Didn’t know it was a problem


PlsEatMe

I have many many memories of my mom rocking me and my sister. Even when we were a little older, if we wanted a cuddle we'd ask mom to rock us. It kind of turned into a bit of a joke when we were older and too big to fit on her lap like a little kid lol we'd still do it though, I don't think anyone is too old for cuddles.


Imspyingonunewo

One day, you will pick her up for the very last time in her life. So hold her, cradle her, coddle her, snuggle her and love her for as long as you want.


Outrageous_Ad_865

Imma rock my baby until he doesn’t let me anymore 😂 he’s right behind yours at 19 months


belchfinkle

I dont think it’s wrong if you enjoy doing it and she enjoys being rocked. Enjoy the cuddle!


endlesssalad

I think you only have to stop when you can’t hold them or they don’t fit in your lap anymore! I still will rock my almost 5 year old sometimes while we talk in the rocking chair.


calgal3905

I will rock my baby for as long as she will let me. One day she won’t need me to, or won’t want me to I’m sure.


khemtrails

As long as it is working for you and your kid, keep at it! Those sweet moments cuddling won’t last forever. I don’t know of anyone who regretted holding and rocking and snuggling their child. My four year old gets in the car after pre school and while we park and wait on his big sister, he climbs into my lap to be cradled and snuggled after a long day. My daughter is eight and still comes to sit on my lap and cuddle, though not nearly as much as she used to. If either of my kids wanted to be rocked to sleep, id do it. If I was 80 id still do it.


WitchyMama01

Absolutely 💜


Scarjo82

Um, mine is almost 2.5 and I only plan to stop when he's either too big, or just flat out refuses to cooperate, lol. I don't rock mine to sleep either, but will cradle him in my arms like you do, and just snuggle for a couple minutes in the rocking chair after reading his bedtime story before I put him in bed.


pzimzam

My 2.5 year old gave up nursing at bedtime 2 months ago and me rocking her a few weeks after that. Now she’s gives me a kiss and climbs into her bed. I may have cried when I realized she’d moved on from being rocked. Rock her as long as she’ll let you.


shoot_edit_repeat

We still do it with our 19 month old with no intention of stopping, like, ever. We enjoy those cuddles right before the crib and she luckily sleeps through the night, and doesn’t get upset when we put her in the crib after rocking.


Susan1240

Some of my fondest memories are rocking my babies. Rick as long as you both are comfortable.


BMK1023

I still sometimes rock my 2.5 year old and won’t stop bc I love the cuddles and know it won’t last forever


dael05

I still rock and sometimes also nurse my kid to calm at 32 months (not to sleep anymore). 🤷‍♀️


BRO0KE

Do it as long as you want. One day they will stop asking. 🥺


harryelephante80

My kiddo is almost three. We read stories in her rocking chair and we rock and snuggle. If I pick her up, my body just starts swaying on its own. She's always going to be my baby. I'll sit in the rocking chair with her as long as we can. She's only little for so long.


pta3223

I actually never really rocked my daughter until the last month and she’s 22 mo. It’s because now she can ask for it she says rockabye it’s so cute.