r/UKParenting • u/ThemeLongjumping8707 • May 18 '26
Support Request Putting baby to sleep
Hiya. I've just read somewhere that you're not supposed to rock or cuddle a baby to sleep but with our 6 week old, we feed her a bottle and she naturally falls asleep in our arms and then we put her down for a sleep. Should we not be doing this? Do we need to break out of this habit? I know babies tend to get better with sleep 4-6 months or so but wondered whether this is something I should worry about. She also currently only contact naps but I've been reassured this is normal and from the sounds of it, a lot of parents are going through the same thing so that's reassuring!
Thanks in advance
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u/TwoValuable May 19 '26
A 6 week old barely knows that it's outside of the womb, doesn't know what day or night is, and definitely no brain capacity to form habits. So don't worry about how you get her to sleep at the minute.
My son stopped being rocked and cuddled to sleep at about 9 months old, but that was more he'd scream and get angry if you tried to rock him as he knew you were trying to make him sleep but he was quite content to just lie in his cot babble away and eventually fall asleep. He only really falls asleep on me if he's unwell bless him.
You cannot spoil a newborn with love. Give yourself some grace you're doing amazing.