Meet my 2 year old wild child Brody. He is wild and dangerous. I described him to a friend today as Bam Margera mixed with Rob Dyrdek, only pint sized. While you chuckle at the reference, I kid you not, that description was very literal! He wakes up each day looking for the new thrill, an adrenaline junkie at heart. I love him so very much, but he scares me half to death.
Even with all this craziness is this sweet adorable little cuddle bug that loves to sit back and watch Home Alone, his favorite movie of all time. when it comes to sleeping he has quite the quirk! Even before he learned to roll over Brody developed a sleep soothie to calm himself to sleep. He rocks. He clasps his little hands into tight fists of fury similar as to if he was praying and he begins to rock his entire body from side to side. The intensity increases the more tired he is.
I often worry whether this could be harmful or a sign of something worse but I have done a lot of research and nothing seems to fit. The only thing I can think of is it just his odd little quirk. I myself rock my leg when laying to sleep, drives my husband crazy! Early on I was seriously scared of shaken baby with how violent he rocks occasionally.
Here’s my proof…………………..
So what are your thoughts of my little rocker and roller? Do you think the rocking could be a problem?
About Miranda Sherman
must run in the family , u do it and your brother does it too i also rock my feet
I think if it was a problem that could cause physical harm that the problem would have already manifested itself. It must be comforting to him is what I am thinking.
Cute little guy!
It’s not enough for me to just see a video. Does he rock while awake? Does he talk yet, show signs of eye contact with you and does show any other signs while awake. Are all other things he does up to his age level? So not to scare you with my answer, I would need to know more if these things are or aren’t going on and i’m just a parent and not a doctor.
Not sure honestly. Looks like he is just getting the last bit of energy out of him, so quirk..
Lisa R,
No he does not rock any other time than when he’s sleepy and needing to go to bed. He does have some speech issues that we will be getting assessed soon, but that’s not a worry, all four of my kids have been in speech at some point. He does all other things at his level, other than physical things, he is above his level with the Gross motor skills. Yes, he is perfect with eye contact and physical contact. He absolutely loves to be held and cuddled.
I had a brother that was a rocker on his hands and knees and he is for the most part a normal adult
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Great news. I not sure if you knew where I was heading but a fear of having Autism. My daughter now 24 rocked as early as she could be on her hands and knees as an infant. I am so happy that it’s nothing more than probably a soothing way to fall asleep. My husband from my second marriage and daughhter I had with him, both do something like move their foot in a circular motion when they are falling asleep. I suppossedly grind my teeth, I guess it’s all the same. And then there is my son 22 yr old brother of the 24 yr old from first marriage who can sleep over 18 hours sometimes, he could sleep through anything since he was a child…The only thing is that when he gets older you might want to break him of the habit for when he becomes an adult. You know how people can be and I wouldn’t want your son to feel awkward about it then.
Found this on the Baby Center site Rocking and banging
Body rocking and head banging are normal behaviors in toddlers, who seem to find the rhythmic movements soothing and sleep inducing. It’s similar to the way a child may suck his thumb or twirl his hair to fall asleep.
A few toddlers may rock or bang their head to distract themselves from pain – from an ear infection,for example. The behavior usually starts in the first year, and most children outgrow it by age 3 or 4. Your toddler may rock back and forth on all fours or sit up to rock, bang his head on the side of the crib, or both.
Try to take a low-key approach to this behavior. If your child perceives that you’re trying to stop the rocking or banging, he may take it as a challenge and persist in it – or the added attention may encourage the behavior.
If your child’s rocking is unusually loud or vigorous, try moving his crib or bed away from the wall. Be sure to tighten the screws and bolts on the crib or bed regularly so he can’t shake them loose. You can also try putting the mattress on the floor if he’s already in a bed.
A soothing bedtime ritual – such as a warm bath, a story while cuddling, or a gentle backrub – may help your child unwind without rocking.
If your child starts rocking or banging for the first time after 18 months of age or does it during the day instead of just to go to sleep, or if the behavior lasts past the age of 4, bring it up with his doctor. Head banging can be associated with developmental disorders like autism, but it’s just one of many behavioral red flags.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_toddler-sleep-habits-snorting-sweating-head-banging-and-more_3656751.bc?page=2#articlesection5“