Everytime I put my son in the crib for a nap or to sleep he sits up androcks himslef back and foward until falling asleep, he then lays down, or just sleeps with his head between his legs. I have no idea why he does it, he rocks like that when he listens to music too, or when he is waiting for me to get him out of his high chair. I asked his pediatritian about it but he says its normal. My son has no signs of autism,he is very social, likes other kids, has great eye contact and points to everything, and waves. But why does he do this is the crib??? Sometimes, when he wakes up in the morning he just sits up and rocks! He is a normal child, I just dont know why he does this??? Has Anyone experienced this?
I was doing some research online and have discovered what it is! You are all right about him outgrowing it i the future. But it is actually a sleep issue, that many kids have , and it goes away before they are 5. It is called rhythmic movement disorder, but it isnt considered a disorder unless the child hurts him/herslef which is not the case. They grow out of it, so that's what matters! Thank you moms you all gave me great answers! At least now I know what it is, so Im not bothered by it anymore:)
I haven't experienced this but I've heard of kids doing this before. It's probably oothing for him and he's just used to it (kind of like how some kids have to have a paci or a certain blankey). He'll probably outgrow it in a few months.
I don't know anyone that does this but I just finished reading a parenting book that mentions it so I thought I'd respond. This book describes it as perfectly normal, the rocking motion just lulls him to sleep, some kids even bump their head against the side of the crib which is also ok, the tapping on the head is also soothing to them. This author says just to be grateful that he has a way to put himself to sleep without your help, he is being self sufficient. Don't worry about it!
Sounds like he has found a way to self-soothe. May not be what you would prefer, but it works. I wouldn't worry too much. (It really doesn't sound at all like autism)
My oldest daughter did the same thing until she was almost five years old. I never knew why she did it either. At first it really concerned me but then I just went with it. She'd sing to herself rocking and she seemed happy. Now when I look back on it I think I probably didn't rock or sing to her enough and so she found a way to comfort herself which is very sad. I followed the advice at the time which was in 1972. I learned that going back to the more natural rocking and singing was better with my other babies which was years later. I think this may just be the way some babies are though and it is perfectly normal. Take some time to rock and sing to him more often, perhaps at a certain time of day, and see if anything changes. Just a suggestion
It sounds like he is using this behavior for self-soothing. Have you or anyone else rocked him to sleep in a chair? If so, he is mimicking the feeling he got from this.
Keep an eye on his behavior..pediatricians are not behavior specialists. Document every reaction to different stimuli for a week. Then if you still have concerns and notice more "odd" behavior, seek a behavioral specialist.
One of my cousins did just that until she was about 12 years old. It made her feel lightheaded and helped her to fall asleep. She liked the feeling, she told me years later.
It just sounds like that is his self soothing technique. He likes to be rocked and when mommy and daddy aren't there he does it himself. Some kids suck their thumbs, others like a binky. Your son just has some rhythm and likes to rock himself. :)
My son will be three next month and does the exact same thing, but he also will bump his head on the crib rails. The doctor explained to me that he is self-soothing and will eventually outgrow it. He has done this since he was a baby. No worries!! Your son is totally fine and acting very normal. Oh yea, my son too sits up in the mornings and rocks back-n-forth as well and again bumping his head on the rails. It is crazy, but normal!
Baby Qigong! How great is that? Your little guy has a sense of rhythm and uses it to soothe himself. I've heard babies hum rhythmically, seen them swing their arms rhythmically across their bodies, or rock rhythmically on elbows and knees, but never sitting up and falling asleep that way. How cute!
there have been sooo many questions on here about this. lol yes it is normal, to him and that's all that matters!. he's not hurting himself so he will be alright. some children suck a finger or thumb, rib their ear, rub their head whatever makes them get that warm fuzzy feeling inside and makes them sleepy. he is normal and you have nothing to worry about. he may grow out of it he may not but it's ok. good luck
I have a nephew that rocks himself to sleep but he would also bang his head against the rail of his crib but not so hard that he would hurt himself. He is 11 now and I think he grew out of it before he got out of the crib.
My son who is 11 months old would sit up whenever we lay him down to sleep and he would just sit there and grab his toes or feet until he falls asleep and would "plop" down on the mattress. He also would only sleep on his stomach now and never on his back. I think there is something secure about sleeping on his tummy?
I agree with other moms that it is a self-soothe method, whatever works in order for your son to fall asleep. As long as he is not hurting himself, I think it should be okay. According to your research, I am sure he will grow out of it.
