Fisher-Price Auto Rock 'n Play Sleeper Review

 Fisher-Price Auto Rock 'n Play Sleeper:


Original Rock 'n Play
 

   With my first child (who is now almost 2 1/2), a friend loaned us the original Rock n' play. I hadn't heard about the rock n play until my friend offered to loan us hers.  My son was having some gas/tummy issues at about six weeks and therefore sleeping was a problem. He was sleeping in a basinet that I didn't really care for and really only slept well if he was on his belly.  Needless to say I was desperate for a good sleep solution for my baby!  As soon as we started using the Rock 'n Play he went from waking up every two hours at night to sleeping 3 1/2 -4 hours that first night. It was a game changer for us! The original Rock 'n Play did not have any special  features such as the vibration or the auto rocking and music.  When pregnant with my second, I saw the Auto version in the store and knew I had to have one!





Auto Rock 'n Play

  The Auto Rock 'n play obviously cost more than the original but in my opinion it is well worth the extra 40-50 dollars!!  The Auto Rock 'n Play has the option to vibrate, rock, and play music.  The vibrating is gentle and operates on two AA batteries. I often pick up the baby and forget to turn it off so I have gone through a few batteries already.  The music, and rocking are run by plugging in the rocker.  The rocking has two speeds and the option of OFF, 6hours, or 30mins.  The music has a volume control but to  be honest, I never use the music.  I purchased mine at Babies R Us.  Their retail price at the time ( January 2015 was $89.  At the time of purchase Babies R Us was accepting competitor's coupons so I brought a Buy Buy Baby 20% coupon with me!  That, in addition to a gift card from my baby 'sprinkle' I got our brand new Rock N Play for about $35.  I am a big proponent of buying used but in this case,  buying new worked out!

  LOVES:

• The auto Rocking!- I love not have to reach over in the middle of the night to rock!
• It is super portable- It folds up in half easily with a push of a button.  It isn't super small but I can fit it in by car standing up or laying down when traveling.
• Does not take up much room-  It sets next to my bed and is much smaller than a traditional bassinet.  At night, when she is ready to eat, I can lean over and grab her to nurse.
• The incline- The incline, in my opinion, helps with any congestion baby might have.  It gives me peace of mind that should she spit up or something, that she is sitting up just a bit. 
• The prints. -  The prints available or nice and safe, in a good way!  The store I purchased ours at was out of pink, so I grabbed a green one but it is neutral enough to use for a boy or a girl.  They have a woodland creature one, but for the most part, they aren't too cutesy.

DISLIKES:

• The Auto-Rocker is a little loud. - The faster speed is pretty loud.  I don't think that I would be able to sleep through listening to it.  the slower speed, although a little annoying, is manageable and after one or two nights I didn't even notice it any more...being completely exhausted  could have helped that a little  :).  If you are a really light sleeper, you may not like the automatic rocker.  It was worth the noise for me for sure!
• The length of the cord. - Or lack there of!!  If I move the rocker too much I end up unplugging the rocker.  Then I have to get out of bed, fumble to find the cord, fumble to find the outlet...ugh!  I wish they would have made the cord longer knowing that mammas would have to move the rocker around.  I know I can use an extension cord, but that's not the point!
• This might just be me, and I am sure there is a reason for it, but I wish the rocker was a little more of a bed then a seat.  I feel like by morning, the baby's legs are all scrunched up underneath her from her little body wiggling down through out the night.  I would choose for the seat to be a little more shaped like the mama roo. Honestly it probably looks more uncomfortable than it really is, I mean babies slept all kinds of crazy in the womb right!?  

Overall, any dislikes I have are greatly out weighed by the LOVES! I would recommend this to any mama in need of a bassinet next to their bed before moving to the crib.  I am also including this on my top 'Newborn Must Haves'!