Why do some kids rock themselves to sleep?

Question

Most kids just lay down and go to sleep but this one boy that I babysat always had to rock back and forth in his bed for about 10 minutes before he would fall asleep. Has anyone ever seen other kids do this? He was 8 yrs. old and his sister did the same thing till she was 10 yrs. old.

Answer 1

It is purely a comforting thing.
My daughter has a habit which she calls "wootsling" to fall asleep. She rubs a piece of fabric (blanket, pajamas, stuffed animal) between her two fingers while sucking the thumb on her other hand.
She can't fall asleep unless she does it. She is 7 years old now and has been doing it since she was a tiny baby.
I just let her. I am not one of those parents who think she shouldn't be sucking her thumb or whatever. She only does it to fall asleep (maybe 10-15 minutes).
I imagine other kids have their own methods to help them sleep such as rocking as you described. Anyways, I think it is completely normal.
Good luck!

Answer 2

I am the mother of a 3 year old who had the same problem. Here's what worked for me: The first thing you might want to try moving him to a toddler bed. This may seem counter intuitive since then there will be nothing stopping him from walking into your room and jumping in the bed with you. However, now he will have a choice instead of feeling stuck in his crib. The next thing you want to do is make sure you spend some quality time with him right before bedtime. The most typical thing to do is read a story, which works wonderfully. Then place him in his new "big boy" bed. If he stays there for a short time and comes over to your bed a few minutes or a few hours later, just walk him back into his bed and tuck him in (without saying a lot to him). For me, this part lasted about a week. I had to take my daughter back to her bed several times a night. It was a rough week but after that, it was well worth it. If he won't stay in bed a all the first night. Put him in his bed and sit somewhere in the room until he falls asleep. If he gets up to come to you while you're sitting there, just place him back in his bed (without saying too much too him. Not saying a word is even better). This is what worked for me, so hopefully you'll have the same results I did.

Answer 3

I know of some kids who did this, and a particular family I know, almost all the adult children still do this. They were raised in a household that weren't taught to have good morals. Six kids; parents swear, curse, drink, smoke, get high, are predudice, think it's ok to steal... Three of them (that I know of) were in jail, on drugs, hooking, fighting... Now some of the grandchildren are rocking to sleep. I believe it's a strong sign of abuse and/or very high insecurity. But don't jump to conclusions and call the police unless you have VERY good reason to believe something is wrong. It could be another reason.

Answer 4

I've never heard of kids doing this at such an older age. However, children usually rock as they go to sleep because it relaxes and soothes them. Maybe they just never grew out of it. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Answer 5

I still rock my self to sleep and I am almost 40 yrs old. I have my favorite rocking chair that I go to whenever I can't sleep!

Answer 6

i think they are afraid or the rocking motion to fall asleep like a baby needs who knows

Answer 7

I had a young friend that did that. She was about 9. Her younger sisters didn't do it. I think it was a way for her to comfort herself. Her grandmother kinda rejected her, I think because she had a different father.
It's just a comforting thing! :)

~Cindy! :)

Answer 8

it's a soothing method.
just like sucking of the thumb,
or twrilling the hair.
everyone has some kind of habit.
let it be

Answer 9

my neice does that too.
but i think kids do it because their parents use to rock them to sleep..so they are use to it.

Answer 10

It's very comforting.