Photo credit to Em Shire.
That old rocking chair! I’ve almost forgotten those sleepless night of seemingly endless rocking, but they were some of the best of my life!
As a mother of three, I believe that the true Mother in me was born in that rocking chair deep in the middle of the night…
Rocking babies to sleep has been universally commonplace to nurture our babies. Similarly, rhythmic motions like the swaying click-clack of a train ride coaxes many of us adults into an instant slumber—but why?
![Halsey [Hospital] Nursery](https://cdn.deeprootsathome.com/media.deeprootsathome.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/19045932/0d023d9494133bd338b8fff6b01e82d6.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&resize=502%2C797&ssl=1 "The Power Of A Rocking Mother - Mothers Rock!")
Halsey [Hospital] Nursery by Jessie Willcox Smith (1863 – 1935)
The Power Of A Rocking Mother
As a nursing student in ‘the olden-days’, I learned that the age-old practice of rocking your baby to sleep is foundational for many aspects of her early development. Scientific American writes that rocking your baby to sleep is a matchless sedative.
Soothing your child is essential for overall well-being and in this strange new world, rocking most closely resembles the womb. Feeling the weight and warmth of this tiny body on yours is a closeness you both need.
Helping your baby to trust – that she is safe in your care – can be a powerful influence on her overall disposition, sense of optimism, and outlook on life. I can imagine that in those early weeks with a newborn, this talk of bonding may seem a bit abstract as you are doing all you know to do, but rest assured that this time together will not only grow your child’s trust in you, but also encourage you in your motherly instincts.
The comforting tempo of rocking to and fro will help baby understand that when she is in your arms her needs are being met. With that assured, over time she can begin to develop the ability to calm herself. And there, pressed gently against your bosom, is one of the greatest gifts you will ever give to your child.
It’s Mother’s Arms by Jesse Willcox Smith
Babies Don’t Keep
Mother, oh mother, come shake out your cloth!
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking!
Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(Lullaby, rockabye, lullaby, loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(Lullaby, rockabye, lullaby loo.)
Oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
But children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep.
~aka Song for a Fifth Child by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
If you don’t mind getting teary-eyed as you read aloud to your children, you might be as gripped by this this unusual book as we have been.
‘Gripped’ as in touched or moved.
Love You Forever speaks a lot about rocking.
I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
As long as I’m living
my baby you’ll be.
~Refrain in Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
A reflection in my old journal: ‘I always hold onto that last moment in the rocking chair – stroking my lips against her soft little head and humming a song – and remember the tiny baby that became my precocious toddler will someday become a beautiful young woman and likely a mother herself. Lord, help me to teach her to follow You. One last kiss on her downy soft cheek, holding on so tightly but knowing I need to hold her loosely…’
Moms do not let the lies of the world’s fake science tell you not to rock, wear, and cuddle your babies as much as possible. The forever benefits are undeniable!
Did or do you rock your babes? Do you like to sing?
Our favorite music to rock and sing to is by Michael Card. Two CDs in particular have blessed us over and over. They still remain favorites of our grown children today: Sleep Sound In Jesus (listen) and Come To the Cradle (listen). If you love Jesus and desire for your little ones to know Him and His Word, you will not be disappointed!
Here are some of my choices for Memorable Children’s Music For Car & Bedtime.
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Sarma Ilgenfritz
Just found your site – so glad I did – peace and love radiate from it. I too am a rocker and swayer; often smile to myself as I notice myself doing it at the checkout (without a baby of course). At 65, I have 12 grandchildren and I take care of infants every day in a daycare – I am blessed to have many reasons to keep on rockin’.
Jacqueline
Haha! I love people who rock babies and children …it often shows a gentle spirit and communicates such warmth and encouragement 🙂
DO keep on rocking, dear new friend 🙂 Blessings in the Lord and have a terrific weekend.
Peggy Atherton
Jacqueline,
When the Lord led me to your website, I was elated! You and I think exactly alike. I’ve been married 42 yrs, homeschooled all 4 of our children and am trying to disciple my girls with their children. We live in Texas. I told my girls that if I knew you, we would be friends. Our hearts are in the same place. Thank you and I will be with you in this quest to help the next generation of Godly mothers.
PA
Jacqueline
Peggy, that blesses my heart so much! You are such an encouragement today especially as the blog was hacked last night, and I feel it is the evil one trying to discourage and destroy. We will fight back with prayer and praise!
May the Lord richly bless you and your family!
Leslie McCarthy
To this day, at 66, when standing in line or waiting standing, I sway, habit from when my kids were small. It never leaves you. Now it serves as a reminder to pray for them, especially my prodigal. ♥
Jacqueline
Leslie! Amen!! I do that sometimes, too, when I’m reminiscing! I’m praying now for your prodigal, too! Hugs! ~Jacque
Katie
I could just cry reading this. My bio kids are 4 1/2, 3, and 2 months. I tried so hard to rock my 2 month old to sleep tonight and she just fussed and squirmed until I put her in her crib where she promptly fell asleep. I hope it’s a phase and I’ll keep trying! She sleeps through the night so I don’t even get to rock her in the middle of the night.
Jacqueline
Aw, bless your heart, dear mama Katie! That is so hard.
I am going to email you with an idea.
Blessings,
Jacqueline
Nicole J
Oh I would love to hear this idea, too! My 4 month old boy will only let me cuddle and rock him while he nurses.
I wanted to add that some of my favorite songs to sing or listen to while rocking is Scripture lullabies.
Jacqueline
Nicole, I am emailing you now! ~J
Janet
My second child was like that — always fussed and cried when I rocked him. He would also cry when the car was going. I figured out he would get extreme motion sickness! (He’s 43 now and still gets queasy!) So I would hold him, but not rock. It was hard to do, rocking is such an instinct.
Julie
Rocked and sang, yes,yes, yes:) Rocked sitting on the edge of the bed even when I had no rocking chair. And Sleep Sound in Jesus too…love it. Thanks for reminding me about all that. My youngest is 16 now. No regrets about all the time invested in our precious gifts from God.
Jacqueline
Oh, Julie, I know the rocking feeling. Now with 4 grandbabies under 29 months, there is a lot of rocking and I am loving it!
It is all worth it!
Blessings, friend! ~J