Rock n Play vs. Bouncer - Are they basically the same thing?

sundaesprinkles · December 2012

I'm really trying to get serious about finishing my registry and I'm confused about what I really "need". On Amazon the Fisher-Price My Little Snugabunny Swing, Bouncer, and Rock n Play all have great reviews. I registered for the swing, but I'm thinking it's probably too much to get both the bouncer AND the rock n play, right?

Can someone explain to me what the differences are between the rock n play and bouncer? I'm thinking the bouncer might be more for entertaining and the rock n play more for naps, but I'm not sure if this is right. FYI my newborn sleeping plans so far are to put either the crib or a pack n play in our room. So I'm not sure if I need the rock n play or not if it's just for naps. Or is it so amazing that I just have to have it?!?

Also I have two small dogs (11 lbs each) and this is our first baby and I'm not sure how they're going to react. I'm worried that if I used the rock n play in our room for baby to sleep at night it could potentially be knocked over by the dogs.

Also I read one review where one mom uses the bouncer to entertain the baby while she takes a shower. Is it really safe to use the bouncer unattended?

As a FTM, all this baby gear is so overwhelming! I'm sure I'll be an expert by the time we're on the next baby though!

randimarie86 · December 2012

I would love to hear input on this. I originally registered for just the Snugabunny swing and bouncer, but I added the RNP (so glad they all match) this morning after reading good reviews about it. I also like that its at an incline, seeing as I planned to register for a Nap Nanny, but they are all gone. I will say this, I have 2 friends who had their babies about a week apart in October: one LOVES the RNP, and the other found it to be useless. Maybe it's a personal preference??

BabyKsMommy · December 2012

You are right when you said a bouncer is more for entertaining and a rnp for sleeping in. But the rnp is also couch height so it's nice to entertain the baby there when they are real little too.

And yes I did leave my baby in the bouncer while I showered. I have glass doors so I can see ds pretty much all the time.

I had a swing, 2 bouncers, a rnp, a pnp, plus his crib. I have a 2 story so it was nice to have a bouncer on each level. I also would bring the rnp to my dads house for long day trips. It's so portable and ds slept SO well in it.

Every baby is different so it's hard to say what your baby will like. You can always save boxes and receipts

kateraid · December 2012

A lot of babies suffer from acid reflux and the incline on the rnp can be a lifesaver. Also I'm sure the mom leaving her baby in the bouncer while she showers is bringing the bouncer into the bathroom with her. I do the same with the rnp and DS sleeps the whole time from being comfortable and the sound of running water.

LittleApple · December 2012

No. They are not the same things. The rock n play is for sleep. Most people use it as an alternative to a bassinet or PnP.

The bouncer is for play.

Mindi_Campbell · December 2012

LittleApple:
No. They are not the same things. The rock n play is for sleep. Most people use it as an alternative to a bassinet or PnP.
The bouncer is for play.

this!!

SunAndRain · December 2012

Not all babies need a RNP so I wouldn't put this on the registry. You can always pick one up if LO ends up having reflux. Ideally you want LO sleeping flat on his/her back so I wouldn't create unnecessary sleep habits that you'll later have to break.

Not all babies like bouncers. For me this was a life saver. I put it in our bathroom while I'm taking a shower. I used it all over the house. Certainly you can leave the child unattended for a short time in a bouncer. They are strapped in and bouncers are not meant to be used past 6 months (not my FP model, anyway). It isn't like a newborn is going to be able to roll out of it and the strap will keep them from rolling over, as will the fact it sort of cups them. I guess DD would sit in her bouncer while I was walking around the house, but if I am in the shower then she is in the bathroom with me.

As for your swing, we also have the snug a bunny and it is AWESOME. I bought it off craigslist for $65 because I just didn't know if DD would take to it and it is too expensive to just let it sit around. Come to think of it I did have it on my registry but it was not purchased.

Bottom line: I have ALL the gear for an infant except the RNP. DD likes and therefore uses everything but we could get by with less. Just depends on how much room you have. And what LO will like.

BeachMama7693 · December 2012

i didnt read the other responses to this but this is my advice:

get the rock n play

we got the fisher price rainforest bouncer, the snugglebunny swing, and the rock n play.

my lo never used the bouncer seat. she hated it.

the swing was a lifesaver.

the rock n play was amazing, because i could carry it from room to room and my lo was very comfy in it, they can watch you, you can rock them, and they can also sleep in it. definitely, definitely, worth the money!

do you NEED it? you can survive without it. is it worth it? yes. so if you have the extra cash, i say go for it, and skip the bouncy.

if you have to pick ONE, and can afford the swing, thats hands down my choice. it SERIOUSLY rescued me 10000 times the first few weeks.

ellewoodsSC · December 2012

We had a RnP, bouncer and I wished we had a swing, but space did not allow at the time. They really are useful in their own unique way, albeit for a brief periods of time. While we started trying have DD sleep in the Pack n Play in our room, after a month of sleepless nights we finally ordered the RnP. After a few days, DD was sleeping longer and longer stretches at night. The RnP is at a nice height for sleeping and keeping the baby away from the pets (unlike bouncers) and it's really stable, no way for it to get knocked over under practical circumstances. In fact, in all the reviews I came across, I have never seen anything mentioned about it tipping over. The RnP is actually tested and approved for sleeping and it's a lifesaver for reflux babies who need a safe elevated surface and a lot of other babies that crave that snuggly and upright position for sleeping. The RnP only rocks lightly with your push and it does not have vibrations or other bells and whistles. We used our RnP for the first 4 months or so.

I found the bouncers to be a bit steep-angled for a newborn with little head support so we didn't use it a lot for the 4-6 weeks. They are less bulky than a RnP so it was easier to move it across the rooms. I don't see any reason why you would be worried about leaving a baby in the bouncer while taking a shower. You strap them in and peek in on them regularly. Some kids love the vibrations, but DD was kind of meh about it. The springy bounce was great for putting DD to sleep though and we used the bouncer for naps and as baby containment throughout the day. It was fun to see her start to reach for things on the activity bar around 2 months of age. I think we stopped using the bouncer around 7-8 months when they start to get mobile and wiggly.

sundaesprinkles · December 2012

Thanks ladies! Your info and experiences really helped clear things up for me. I'm going to register for all three and see what I end up with. My plan is to buy the swing and the bouncer if I don't get them as gifts, and then if I don't get the rock n play I will wait on this to see how LO does with sleeping in the pack n play. I'll only get the rock n play if he or she is having sleep issues, since I don't want to risk creating a problem with LO not wanting to lay flat in his/her crib later on unless I absolutely have to.

And about leaving the baby in the bouncer while taking a shower: I guess I didn't realize they were putting the baby in the bathroom with them while taking a shower! Duh! Thanks for explaining that one too.

luvmyducks · December 2012

The RNP rocks, the bouncer bounces. The bouncer is closer to the ground as well. We personally got all 3. Some babies love the swing and hate the bouncer and vice-versa. DD loved the swing, would only sleep in the RNP (or my arms), and was okay with the bouncer. Not a huge fan of it but we used it quite a few times in the first few months. She started sitting on her own around 4m and then never really wanted to be in it anymore.

luvmyducks · December 2012

makeupgeek:
Thanks ladies! Your info and experiences really helped clear things up for me. I'm going to register for all three and see what I end up with. My plan is to buy the swing and the bouncer if I don't get them as gifts, and then if I don't get the rock n play I will wait on this to see how LO does with sleeping in the pack n play. I'll only get the rock n play if he or she is having sleep issues, since I don't want to risk creating a problem with LO not wanting to lay flat in his/her crib later on unless I absolutely have to.
And about leaving the baby in the bouncer while taking a shower: I guess I didn't realize they were putting the baby in the bathroom with them while taking a shower! Duh! Thanks for explaining that one too.

It really wasn't too horrible to do the crib transition after she slept in the RNP for 3m. 3 not so good nights and that was it.

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Rock n Play vs. Bouncer - Are they basically the same thing?

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