If you're rocking your baby to sleep, it's likely because it's a soothing and calming activity for both of you. But if you find yourself still doing it when your baby is a toddler or preschooler, it may be time to break the habit. Here are a few tips:
1. Set a bedtime routine and stick to it. A regular bedtime routine will help signal to your child that it's time to wind down for the night. Once you've established a routine, start putting your child down drowsy but awake so they can learn to fall asleep on their own.
2. Don't rock them to sleep every single night. If possible, try only rocking them some of the nights during the week so they don't come to expect it every time. This way, they'll still get the benefit of being rocked without it becoming a crutch that they need in order to fall asleep.
3. Try other methods of soothing before resorting to rocking. If your child is having trouble settling down at night, try other calming activities such as reading together or singing lullabies before attempting to rock them to sleep. It may take some trial and error to find what works best for your child, but once you do, sticking with that method will be more successful in breaking the habit long-term.