Rocking back and fourth

[mum2bubba]

Ever since Nathan was about 6ish months old he has been rocking back and fourth on all fours, this was before he could crawl which I know is pretty normal...

But, he's 19 months now and still does this when he's upset (he can crawl and walk etc now). Is this normal? Is it a comfort thing?

Thanks.

[FiveInTheBed]

if he can walk...I wouldn't be concerned.

We all have our positions we like to curl up in when we are upset.

I would be worried if the behaviour became obsessive or out of context.

hope all is going okay for you now.

[Veritas]

Rocking can be comfort mechanism...it's often one displayed in kids who have problems with attachment, which given the circumstances you've been living in, is not really surprising....

Have u moved out yet??? Make sure u give that little boy lots of hugs and comfort when he's upset...time your attention a secure environment will help, but at his age rocking on it's own is not that huge a deal....

[mum2bubba]

Not moved out yet, and I do give him lots of cuddles.

[sweet_lemons]

We know you give him lots of cuddles hun!

But what Veritas was referring to when she talked about attachment problems is that when babies and children are not consistently and lovingly responded to by their primary caregivers then they can have problems with developing strong bonds and attachment which in turn can effect their brain and emotional development.

So for example a baby who is always left to cry in a cot may develop attachment and bond problems.

And so while your living where you are where G doesn't respond well to the kids then this may be effecting them more than you know!

But your doing all you can, moving out, being the best mother to them etc! And that is amazing!

[AndrewTheEmu]

My DD has done this on occasion when i am holding her Usually when ive just gotten her up from her nap. I used to rock her to sleep and just figured she was doing it herself as a comfort (yep, its a comfort thing)

That said my 7 yr old neice has always been a rocker (i remember when she was real little sitting on the floor of my kichen rocking herself while drinking a bottle) and she still does it now (left to right in the back of the car) and up and down usually at the dinner table. She doesnt realise shes doing it but when shes asked to stop she does (for a while anyway)

My sister practised attachment parenting, co-sleeping and NEVER left her crying. Neice has no development problems (and is actually quite smart) Doc said its can be a bit like a tick (similar to toe walking, which i STILL catch MYSELF doing sometimes now

[Bel1978]

My sister did this for years it turned into rocking in bed to get to sleep...

Just watch it if you think it's not good.. But didn't hurt my sister in anyway

[mum2bubba]

Thankyou. I'm pretty sure he just does it for comfort and when he's tired. He mostly does it when I put him in his cot.