Rocking Baby to Sleep: Why It Feels Right But Might Be Holding Their Sleep Back

Nicole Jayawickreme
15 hours ago
3 min read

Rocking your baby to sleep is one of those deeply loving, natural things we all do. It works - until it doesn’t. If your arms ache, your baby wakes the second you put them down, or bedtime has turned into a two-hour marathon, you’re not alone.

What happens when rocking baby to sleep becomes the only way they fall asleep

When babies are rocked to sleep every night, they begin to rely on that motion to drift off. Over time, this becomes their sleep association which is the one condition they believe they need to feel safe enough to sleep. So, when they stir overnight (as all babies naturally do), they look for that same movement again to fall back asleep. That’s why you might find yourself back in the nursery at 2am… and again at 4am… and again at 5.

But here’s the truth it’s not because your baby is “naughty” or “broken.”

They’re simply doing what they’ve learned.

Why it’s okay to want a different way

You don’t have to stop rocking completely and you don’t have to let your baby “cry it out.”

There’s a middle ground where you can teach your baby to fall asleep with gentle guidance and connection, without hours of rocking or endless resettles.

This is exactly what my Nurture Support Sleep Program is designed for personalised, respectful sleep guidance that helps your baby (and you) get the rest you both deserve.

Over 1–2 weeks, we work together to introduce new settling techniques that feel natural and emotionally safe for your little one.

One mum recently shared:

“We were struggling with a major sleep regression with our 7-month-old. She suddenly refused her cot, fought naps, and woke multiple times overnight. After two months of trying everything ourselves, we were exhausted.

Nicole guided us gently through her one-week program and gave us the confidence and strategies. Her approach was so supportive and respectful of our baby’s emotional needs.

Within just three days, we saw huge improvements — our little one now self-settles, sleeps through the night, takes long naps, and is a much happier, more content baby. Our whole family is sleeping better, and we couldn’t be more grateful!”

If you’re ready to stop the endless rocking and start helping your baby sleep peacefully you absolutely don’t have to do it alone. I will send you a personalised plan and guide you through the new way of teaching your baby to fall asleep

👉 Learn more about Nurture Support here: Baby Sleep Training Program

Nurture Support

FromA$375.00

More Information

Nicole Jayawickreme

Certified Baby Sleep Consultant and Registered Nurse (Neonatal Intensive Care)

I’m a certified sleep specialist, neonatal intensive care nurse, wife and a mother of 3 beautiful little children. I know first hand how important sleep is and I am here to help you and your family with my sleep programs so that you all can thrive.

I will guide and empower determined parents like you, to get the sleep you desperately need so that you have the energy to be the best parent that you can be!

Lear more about me here