STRANGE SLEEPING HABIT

[BanuK]

Since I stopped breastfeeding my daughter to sleep at around 9 months old, she adopted a strange sleeping habit whereby she lays on her back, lifts her legs up to her abdomen as if she is doing leg exercises, with her feet crossed and continues an up and down motion until she falls asleep. She sweats a lot during the process ... I guess as it forces her to exert so much energy into doing this. If she has a soft toy in bed with her she uses this to apply pressure on her tummy area and continues with the up and down leg motion with the soft toy. If I remove the toy she will continue without it. She wears diapers so this has always been with her diapers on. I have tried to distract her and offer her rewards for going to sleep 'normally'. All said and done the reward system may work for a day or so but the behavior continues shortly after. There was a period she would do the same during the day if she was bored but for some time now it has just been a night time sleeping habit.
I just want to understand what this might be? Is it masturbation or could it just be a habit which she adopted to soothe herself to sleep after I stopped breastfeeding her to sleep? Is there a chance she will grow out of it as I want her to be able to put herself to sleep without having to do whatever this is. I've been very frustrated and hover over her at night to make sure she tries sleeping without doing this.

Any advice would be very appreciated.

[specialmom]

Hi there.  It could be masturbation.  Babies do that which is amazing!  But she could also be rocking to fall asleep.  The sweating and such is what makes me think more of masturbation.  I had a friend's who little one did that!  

I would make rules if she starts to rock this way outside of her room that it is for bed time only in her bed.  Since she is a toddler, rules about it are appropriate.  

Some kids (my son has sensory issues so this would be him) have impulses to do things that create pressure and muscle work.  It calms the nervous system.  They love a weighted blanket and deep squeezes before bed time.  ???  

anyway, could just be her thing and hopefully it will stop.  Might not be cool on a future sleep over.  >
:>).  peace and good luck

[BanuK]

Thank you so much.

I just wanted to add that she is now 2 years and 3 months old.

[Jen12977]

I feel like its just her way of soothing herself to fall asleep. I would not worry about it too much at this point. She will more than likely grow out of this.