Kim - Jacob was rocked to sleep in our arms for a long time, and as much as he doesn't go off to sleep all that well of a night time still (at almost 2.5) he isn't rocked to sleep these days. We sit with him now as that's better for him and us.

I think it's all about making them feel safe and secure and if rocking does that, then it helps them to build confidence in their ability to go to sleep. You can easily transfer rocking in your arms, to rocking them in the cot, to just patting them, to just sitting with them - whatever transition you feel is required, or is dictated by your little one. It can be hard to work it all out at times and what works best for your baby!