Sleep … routines are key!
A baby that is always rocked to sleep will always want to be rocked to sleep.
I rocked my daughter Josie to sleep for the first 12 months of her life. Which was actually not a problem - until our son Rob was born and we needed to change up the sleep routine. When Rob was born Tom took over the bed time routine with Josie. That went over all right, however Josie needed to be rocked to sleep - that is what we had done since her birth. Josie is a delightful little girl … until bed time rolls around … it took us about 6 months before she would settle herself down to sleep at night w/o us rocking her to sleep.
You think I would’ve learned after the struggles with Josie’s bedtime routine - I rock Rob to sleep. The time that I spend with my children before bed time is a time that I cherish … I look forward to cuddling with them & rocking them, however it can also lead to some stressful nap-times & bedtimes
Josie is 22 months old & knows that when Rob cries or when he is tired Mommy will hold him & rock him. So what does Josie do? She whines for Mommy to hold her too, “Mommy hold you … Mommy hold you … Mommy hold you …” is what I hear Josie say over & over & over again.
With the introduction of the toddler bed, we are implementing a new sleep-time routine with Josie. Implementing new routines takes time & patience. It is never too late to try something new - especially if the way you are doing it just isn’t working anymore.
Below are some links that I have found on infant & toddler sleep routines: