Safe in pack n play VS rock n play sleeping??

kare_bear_12 · January 2014

OK so I got both of these and I assumed that I would have LO sleep in the rock and play next to the bed for the first couple of weeks. DH put up the pack and play in our bedroom last night. We got into a argument about LO sleeping in rock n play vs. pack n play. He said that LO needs to be on a flat surface when sleeping through the night.

Is this correct? Am I wrong? Can LO sleep in the rock n play through the night in a elevated position? Im and FTM and DH has had a baby before so don't want to pretend I know everything.

katykatykaty · January 2014

Nobody knows everything.

Yes, LO can sleep in the RNP overnight... many babies do. I prefer the PNP/bassinet option just because I don't want LO to get used to sleeping at an incline or rocking.

AriaAmante143 · January 2014

I'm a FTM, and I plan on having both in our room. Like @katykatykaty said, I don't want her getting used to sleeping at an incline, so we have an easier transition to the crib, so she will (hopefully) spend most nights in the PnP, but the RnP will be there if she has some fussy nights, or acid reflux. My sister swore by the RnP when her son was a newborn, it was the only way he could sleep some nights.

katykatykaty · January 2014

Yeah, my SIL swears by the RNP in the first few months, too. Her kids are great sleepers... She has a 4 month old that is sleeping from 10pm-7:30am, and she continued that when she easily transitioned her to the crib from the RNP a few weeks ago.

We never used the RNP, and my daughter still won't sleep through the night. So I'm not sure how much weight to give to the sleeping on the incline/transition thing. It sounds good in theory, though.

lalaith50 · January 2014

I've heard technically they're not "supposed to" sleep in the RNP, but in the end you do what you have to do! I think for sure the bassinet of the PNP is safer, but not enough to say "don't sleep in the RnP if that's the only place he will sleep!"

ETA: https://pediatricinsider.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/the-fisher-price-rock-n-play-sleeper-is-not-for-sleeping/

But with that being said, my LO will sleep in a RnP if he won't sleep anywhere else!

ladyglittersparkles · January 2014

bennieangel said:
Our plan is to try the PnP first, and if that doesn't work than go get a RnP to try.

This and then to the crib when she's sleeping more than a few hours per night

ladyglittersparkles · January 2014

My SIL gave us this book to read also. It was recommended to her for sleeping
Has anyone read this?

katykatykaty · January 2014

futuremrsspriggs said:

My SIL gave us this book to read also. It was recommended to her for sleeping Has anyone read this?

Yes, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it to a new mom. Maybe once LO gets older... around 6 months, but even then, that book is really sketchy.

Instead, I would recommend Happiest Baby on the Block for a newborn and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child (even though I would ignore the part about using the extinction CIO method).

clo1982 · January 2014

Our pediatrician told us, at first let the baby sleep wherever the baby is willing to sleep! In our case it was swaddled in her car seat...which was put in her bassinet to keep it off the ground (at dog level). Bizarre, right?! As far as the transition from inclined to flat, I think it is 100% dependent on your baby. It may be a breeze, or it may be a nightmare; but there is no reason to make the early days a nightmare trying to force them to sleep in a pack n' play if they don't want to just to avoid having them on an incline or trying to make things easier down the road. The first weeks are survival and whatever-works...not routine setting. Maybe set them both up and see which, if either, your LO likes the best and go with it!

DaisyJane11 · January 2014

katykatykaty said:

futuremrsspriggs said:

My SIL gave us this book to read also. It was recommended to her for sleeping Has anyone read this?

Yes, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it to a new mom. Maybe once LO gets older... around 6 months, but even then, that book is really sketchy.

Instead, I would recommend Happiest Baby on the Block for a newborn and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child (even though I would ignore the part about using the extinction CIO method).

All of this.

BrideNamedMeg · January 2014

You can use the RNP for overnight, but I wouldn't unless you need to. My kids both slept great in the PnP and I felt more comfortable with them on a flat surface. Plus, like others have said, it makes for an easier transition to the crib.

BabiesFTW · January 2014

clo1982 said:
Our pediatrician told us, at first let the baby sleep wherever the baby is willing to sleep! In our case it was swaddled in her car seat...which was put in her bassinet to keep it off the ground (at dog level). Bizarre, right?! As far as the transition from inclined to flat, I think it is 100% dependent on your baby. It may be a breeze, or it may be a nightmare; but there is no reason to make the early days a nightmare trying to force them to sleep in a pack n' play if they don't want to just to avoid having them on an incline or trying to make things easier down the road. The first weeks are survival and whatever-works...not routine setting. Maybe set them both up and see which, if either, your LO likes the best and go with it!

@clo1982 You would not believe (or maybe you would!) how many nights DD#1 spent in her carseat placed in her crib. People thought it was crazy but it was the way she slept best (although even that wasn't great).

VineyardMel · January 2014

I would try the PnP first because some babies do have a hard time with the transition to a flat surface. That said, at the end of the day put the baby wherever it will actually sleep.

clo1982 · January 2014

BabiesFTW said:

@clo1982 You would not believe (or maybe you would!) how many nights DD#1 spent in her carseat placed in her crib. People thought it was crazy but it was the way she slept best (although even that wasn't great).

DD wasn't great in the seat either, but it was far better than anything else! It looked really goofy though!

VineyardMel · January 2014

futuremrsspriggs said:

My SIL gave us this book to read also. It was recommended to her for sleeping Has anyone read this?

My pedi's office has a really great "newborn guide" they give to new moms and they specifically recommend not following this book. I know several who swear by it, but the methods used are linked to failure to thrive and if you do read it take everything with a grain of salt. Newborns aren't meant to be stuck on a strict schedule and part of being a parent is adjusting your schedule to meet their needs. I also recommend The Happiest Baby on the Block (but skip the book and just rent the DVD) and The Baby Whisperer. I never followed the scheduling part of The Baby Whisperer but really like the EASY (eat, activity, sleep, you) routine for managing the day with a newborn.

katykatykaty · January 2014

I agree with @vineyardmel about The Baby Whisperer, too. That book was a miracle for us when DD was 6 months old... It helped get her on a routine and she finally started sleeping longer stretches at night.

clo1982 · January 2014

VineyardMel said:

futuremrsspriggs said:

My SIL gave us this book to read also. It was recommended to her for sleeping Has anyone read this?
My pedi's office has a really great "newborn guide" they give to new moms and they specifically recommend not following this book. I know several who swear by it, but the methods used are linked to failure to thrive and if you do read it take everything with a grain of salt. Newborns aren't meant to be stuck on a strict schedule and part of being a parent is adjusting your schedule to meet their needs. I also recommend The Happiest Baby on the Block (but skip the book and just rent the DVD) and The Baby Whisperer. I never followed the scheduling part of The Baby Whisperer but really like the EASY (eat, activity, sleep, you) routine for managing the day with a newborn.

I never actually read the book or watched the DVD. My neighbor did and told me about the eat, play, sleep thing and it was really helpful to see that it was sort of the 'schedule' DD followed on her own. It made it more manageable for me to recognize that instead of feeling like it was all just random and I had no clue when she would do anything.

ladyglittersparkles · January 2014

Thanks @katykatykaty and @vineyardmel and all PP
I won't rush to read it and I'll grab some of the other books!
Crazy that someone recommended this to my SIL said it was the best. I don't want any fTT issues!!!

ntdane · January 2014

I agree with @katykatykaty and @vineyardmel. Happiest Baby on the Block literally saved our sanity with DS. I highly recommend watching or reading it before baby comes so you have a few ideas of tricks to try if your LO is fussy. I hadn't heard of the EASY routine when I had DS but it is something that I intend to try with the twins.

For sleeping we intend to try the pnp first, then the rnp if that doesn't work. DS spent many nights sleeping in his swing because at some point, you do whatever you can for everyone to get some sleep.

VineyardMel · January 2014

One more plug for THBOTB video--you can quickly watch it with YH. It was absolutely the best thing to prepare him for a newborn and he felt equipped to soothe her when she got here. He actually ended up being better at it than me because with me she just wanted the boobs. I think having a "bag of tricks" helps most guys feel like they have something actionable to try rather than just passing the baby back to you. OT for this thread, but it helped us so much that I plug it whenever I can.

kare_bear_12 · January 2014

There is so much to learn!!!!! Panic Attack!!

awhitworth926 · January 2014

@VineyardMel who is the author of the Baby Whisperer? I found one called

The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems: Sleeping, Feeding, and Behavior: Beyond the Basics from Infancy Through Toddlerhood but not sure if that's the right one?

klp830 · January 2014

futuremrsspriggs said:
My SIL gave us this book to read also. It was recommended to her for sleeping
Has anyone read this?

Eww. Don't read. Terrible advice.

linzandjer11 · January 2014

ETA: didn't quote like I wanted.

linzandjer11 · January 2014

futuremrsspriggs said:
My SIL gave us this book to read also. It was recommended to her for sleeping
Has anyone read this?

Super awesome! I've had several of my friends try it with all of their kids successfully. They seem much less tired than my friends who don't try it. To me, it seems like the best of both worlds (puting them on a schedule vs responding when they need something). Try it! If it doesn't work, do something else.

AriaAmante143 · January 2014

So glad to see people recommending Happiest Baby on the Block. Our friends have a 1 year old and they gave us their copy of the DVD a few months ago. They swear by it. We haven't watched it yet, maybe we can take time this weekend to watch it together.

katykatykaty · January 2014

@awhitworth926 That's the one we read/used, and it worked wonders.

teaforthree · January 2014

VineyardMel said:

One more plug for THBOTB video--you can quickly watch it with YH. It was absolutely the best thing to prepare him for a newborn and he felt equipped to soothe her when she got here. He actually ended up being better at it than me because with me she just wanted the boobs. I think having a "bag of tricks" helps most guys feel like they have something actionable to try rather than just passing the baby back to you. OT for this thread, but it helped us so much that I plug it whenever I can.

We happened to get this DVD for free when we got our 3D ultrasound and we finally got around to watching it the other day. I can't wait to try out the steps - we already memorized them! And I also like that moms and dads can do it equally.

lb1117 · January 2014

We have a very, very cramped bedroom. We are hoping he will sleep in his crib, but if they doesn't work, we have a RnP to use since the PnP won't fit.

LolaBelle11 · January 2014

The Rock N Play is approved for sleep. Babies are supposed to sleep on their backs.. and in the rock n play they are on their back, but elevated a bit. We used this for my son and it made it so hard to transition him to a flat sleeping surface. This time around I would only use Rock N play to put baby in while I shower or while he naps in the living room for a short time and I need to set him down, otherwise, he will be sleeping in cosleeper or pack n play.

mamamia866 · January 2014

clo1982 said:
Maybe set them both up and see which, if either, your LO likes the best and go with it!

This is what H and I plan to do. My niece hated the Pnp but loved the rnp. Ultimately, it's up to baby.

VineyardMel · January 2014

babycaps said:

While I agree that the RNP is safe for sleep, and by sleep I mean the short day-time naps, I disagree that it would be safe for overnight, unattended sleep. You will also have a harder time transitioning baby to a crib if your baby is always sleeping at an incline at all times.
Good habits should start from day 1. That will make your transition (you baby's transition) to a crib MUCH smoother!

This is a situation where babies sleep where they sleep. A flat surface might be ideal from day 1, but MANY babies won't sleep like that. My pedi recommended the car seat if she would sleep in it (she wouldn't). Some babies fall right in line with all the "shoulds," but most babies don't come out following the guidebooks (sleep, eating, whatever). You might get super lucky to have a baby that just goes with the flow, but I think the idea that "just do it 'right' from day 1" sets up a lot of FTMs for feeling like crap when they think it should all go according to the books. It's similar to "if it hurts you're not doing it right" for BFing to me. What matters is figuring out what works for your child and meeting their needs.

sopranoali · February 2014

We plan on trying the pack n play, swaddled. If that doesn't work, we will try the rock n play. I too have concerns about baby not laying flat. We are going to attach the Snuza to her diaper so we can be sure she is breathing.

sopranoali · February 2014

Also, just watched happiest baby on the block and am looking forward to trying the tips out.

Israfel · February 2014

futuremrsspriggs said:

My SIL gave us this book to read also. It was recommended to her for sleeping Has anyone read this?

You should google "Babywise" and abuse. That book is really bad news-- lots of children being damaged by the advice in it. Don't take my word for it, do your own research!

Here's a quote from Wikipedia: The Baby Wise program outlined in the book has come under criticism from a number of pediatricians and parents who are concerned that an infant reared using the book's advice will be at higher risk of failure to thrive, malnutrition, and emotional disorders.^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

clo1982 · February 2014

VineyardMel said:

babycaps said:

While I agree that the RNP is safe for sleep, and by sleep I mean the short day-time naps, I disagree that it would be safe for overnight, unattended sleep. You will also have a harder time transitioning baby to a crib if your baby is always sleeping at an incline at all times.
Good habits should start from day 1. That will make your transition (you baby's transition) to a crib MUCH smoother!

This is a situation where babies sleep where they sleep. A flat surface might be ideal from day 1, but MANY babies won't sleep like that. My pedi recommended the car seat if she would sleep in it (she wouldn't). Some babies fall right in line with all the "shoulds," but most babies don't come out following the guidebooks (sleep, eating, whatever). You might get super lucky to have a baby that just goes with the flow, but I think the idea that "just do it 'right' from day 1" sets up a lot of FTMs for feeling like crap when they think it should all go according to the books. It's similar to "if it hurts you're not doing it right" for BFing to me. What matters is figuring out what works for your child and meeting their needs.

I agree with this. Unfortunately babies don't always care much what the books say. Also unless you position it in a very strange way the incline on the majority of options mentioned is not such that would cause a baby's head to lull forward. I think a lot of books do exactly what @vineyardmel said and that is set people up to feel as though they have failed because they didn't do it 'right.' I also disagree with the transition comment and definitely think it's baby specific, meaning your baby may make the switch seamlessly or it might suck.....but having sleep suck from night one to follow a book doesn't really end in a big win for anyone! Again everyone has to do what they are comfortable with and I can certainly respect your background in the medical field, I am just a big believer that there isn't only one right way to do things and sometimes you gotta just do what works for you and your baby regardless of what is presented in a book/study (unless it truly undermines their safety...ie, not using a car seat, forward facing with a NB,etc).

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