Product Review: Rock N Play Sleeper for Your Newborn
Product Review: Rock N’ Play Sleeper for Your Newborn
As you complete your baby registry and prepare for your little one to join your family, don’t forget about this must-have baby item: the Rock N’ Play Sleeper by Fisher Price.
Many parents want to room-share with their newborn for a few months or longer. It may not be plausible for you to put your baby’s full-sized crib in your bedroom, so you’re in the market for a sleeper or bassinet. The many different options available can be overwhelming, so we are sharing the pros and cons of one of our favorite sleepers, the Rock N’ Play.
Pros of the Rock N’ Play
- Incline Position: Sleeping on a slight incline can provide benefits for baby including easier breathing and better digestion. This is especially helpful if your little one suffers from reflux.
- Comfort: Your little one will feel snug in the Rock N’ Play because the design makes her feel like she’s being held. The bottom is a hard plastic, so the sleeper maintains its shape and doesn’t sag. The material is breathable so that your little one won’t overheat.
- Rocking Feature: Depending on which model you choose, the rocking feature is automatic. Yay! Just plug the Rock N’ Play into the wall and press the power button for up to six hours of automatic rocking. Depending on how you look at it, the “white noise” from the rocking feature could be a pro or a con – just something to keep in mind!
- Convenience: This infant sleeper has a washable cover that’s easy to remove and throw in the washer. You can also fold it up with the press of a button and place in a closet or take it apart for even more compact storage.
- Lights and Sounds: Some of the latest models include a shade with twinkling lights and soothing sounds. This can help to soothe and distract your little one if she is upset.
Cons of the Rock N’ Play
- Price: Depending on which one you choose, the Rock N’ Play can cost $70-$120. Since it’s not something your little one will sleep in long-term, you may consider the features you expect to use most before choosing model.
- Safe Sleep Guidelines: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the safest sleep for your little one is flat on her back with no toys or blankets. If you are concerned about the incline, there is also a bassinet that vibrates and moves similar to the Rock N’ Play, but has a flat surface.
- Crib Transition: Once your little one gets used to sleeping snug at an incline, the transition to sleeping flat in the crib may be difficult. To ease the transition, plan on rolling up a towel or blanket under one end of the crib mattress. This will mimic the incline of the Rock N’ Play as she adjusts.
- Weight Limit: While the weight limit is 25 pounds on most models, we found that our little ones grew out of the sleeper much faster than that. Once your baby can roll or sit up on her own, it’s no longer safe to use the Rock N’ Play unsupervised. Depending on your little one’s development, this could be sooner or later.
- Batteries: The vibrate feature on some models requires D batteries, which is an extra expense to consider. From our experience, the batteries do seem to last a while. One good thing is that the vibrate feature slowly fades out over time instead of shutting off suddenly when the batteries die.
In the case of the Rock N’ Play, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. The biggest factor you will want to consider is the Safe Sleep Guidelines, which we’ve highlighted below. Even if you don’t let your little one sleep in it at night, the Rock N’ Play may help her nap better during the day so you can get things done around the house.
Notes About Safe Sleep Guidelines:
According to Safe Sleep Guidelines put forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics, room sharing with parents can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50 percent. Keep in mind that these guidelines also recommend you follow the ABCs of safe sleeping: Your baby should be Alone on their Back in a Crib.
- Don’t sleep with baby in your bed
- Don’t include any toys or blankets in baby’s bed
- Don’t lay your little one on her side or stomach to sleep
- Don’t put your baby in bouncers, swings or car seats to sleep
If your little one sleeps better swaddled, make sure that the blanket or wrap is tucked in tightly and sits below the shoulders. If you purchase a version of the Rock N’ Play that has a soft insert, consider removing it before letting your little one go to sleep.