Is it okay to rock you lo to get them to relax for a nap?

[Gage and Sophie's Mom]

My son has a hard time napping, and I am wondering if he needs more relaxing before I lay him down. I try to have about 5 or so minutes of wind down time, but it doesn't seem to work. I just rocked him just until he was almost asleep, and shh and pat in his crib. It worked! He is asleep! He is never asleep at this time. It could be a fluke though. Would I be developing a bad habit if I did this before every nap? I have just gotten rid of the accidental parenting, and I am afraid of starting any other bad habits.

[LindseysMom]

How old is your ds?   I think as long as you are consistent with the windown routine if it is working go with it.  There are many different types of parenting and if you want to rock your baby before bed then by all means you should.  I think it is ok to rock a baby for a bit as part of the windown.   Just know that at some point as he gets older you may have to tweak your routine a bit but for now I would not worry too much about "accidental parenting".  Just enjoy cuddling your baby.

[Aarismom]

Yeah, I do it all the time. My lo seems to really enjoy it, it's her sign that it's sleepy time. As long as you're not rocking him to sleep and then putting him down, you're in good shape.

Enjoy cuddle time!

*HUGS*
Sonya =P

[Luke-n-Me]

I also do it most of the time, but just before she's asleep I lay her down.  Just like Sonya said, as long as you put her down before she falls asleep, he should be fine!

[Gage and Sophie's Mom]

Great! Thank you!