Hi Taralee, just also wanted to let you know, like these other ladies, that what you're doing is fine. I think, as mothers, that all we do is feel guilty.. about everything.. "i rock her too much... I don't cuddle her enough... she didn't get enough love today.. maybe I gave her too much attention today and she's gonna end up spoiled.." blah blah.. I know I do it all the time.. but after I'm finished giving myself a guilt trip, I stop and think.. well I did my best today, and tomorrow is a new day. Our babies only have one mum and one dad in the whole world.. and as long as we're not neglecting, abusing, hurting them... we are the best people for our babies! Like Christy said, no one else can tell you what's best for YOUR baby.

I rocked my son Ethan (now 3 years old) to sleep until he was about 1 year old... and all I ever copped was criticism.. but I didn't mind rocking him. It gave me and my husband that nice, sweet, sleepy cuddle time with him. He sort of just grew out of it. And now, he sometimes wakes up in the middle of the night, and wants to hop in mum and dad's bed.. I have no issues with that at all, because I know soon enough, he's not going to want a bar of me! So when he hops in our bed, I snuggle up with him.. and sometimes lay awake for a while just looking at him sleep!

And now Ella (born 03 Nov 2006) she is a completely different baby, and has never let us rock her! She has always just been put straight into her cot, and she puts herself to sleep.. Ella also has NEVER fallen asleep having a bottle! Which is a bit annoying sometimes! When Ethan was younger, I knew I could give him a bottle and he would just fall asleep in my arms!! They're both so different.. and they let us do what they need/want from us.

I wouldn't feel guilty about having to feed/rock your bubs to sleep. As long as she is happy and healthy!! Anyways, just really wanted to put my two cents worth in, as I feel pretty strongly about all us mums always putting ourselves down, and feeling guilty about everything we do/don't do! Just relax and enjoy !

Julie (25 years old - married to Luke 24 years old)