Rock a roo vs. rock n play

DaisyTortilla · August 2015

hi ladies,

I am trying to figure out which is better for putting baby to sleep and for baby to hang out in? I know a lot of people swear by the rock n play but, I'm just wanting to see which is best.

minivanmafia · August 2015

Isn't that Rock A Roo crazy expensive? Looks very comfy, though. We have a Rock N Play. My youngest didn't love it but used it a little. Most people love them so I am hoping we get more use out of it this time.

Edited to say I googled it and its not as expensive as I thought they were but still a bit more than the rock n play. Im interested to see what responses you get…

brushesnbrunch · August 2015

Honestly, I don't think there is a set in stone answer to this question. It really depends on your child and trial and error...

DaisyTortilla · August 2015

ThecoffeeBunch said:
Isn't that Rock A Roo crazy expensive? Looks very comfy, though. We have a Rock N Play. My youngest didn't love it but used it a little. Most people love them so I am hoping we get more use out of it this time.

Edited to say I googled it and its not as expensive as I thought they were but still a bit more than the rock n play. Im interested to see what responses you get…

Yeah not super expensive but considerably more than the rock n play. That's why I'm wondering which is the better expense. I just want my baby to sleep lol.

pbtoast · August 2015

I just added a MamaRoo to my registry/shopping list. But I'm definitely interested to see what people say here!

DaisyTortilla · August 2015

@brushesnbrunch- yeah, I thought about that. I was just kind of hoping for maybe personal experience?? Lol. I've heard lots about the rock n play but not too much about rock a roo. I guess I could also read reviews right?

dragonfly321 · August 2015

Both swings have good reviews and bad reviews on Amazon. We will probably get a rock n play because of the price- and I've heard great stories about them. Even the deluxe RNP is almost $100 cheaper than the Rock a roo

DaisyTortilla · August 2015

dragonfly321 said:
Both swings have good reviews and bad reviews on Amazon. We will probably get a rock n play because of the price- and I've heard great stories about them. Even the deluxe RNP is almost $100 cheaper than the Rock a roo

Yeah, price is also another reason why I don't want to buy both. I've seen some rock n plays at consignment stores for $30. So that's awesome!

Monkeybutt80 · August 2015

I can't give you a comparison because I had a mamaroo, but no rock n play. I did have a FP bouncer, which might be similar to rock n play, but I am not sure.

To be honest, I liked having both. Mamaroo was definitely better at calming him down than the FP bouncer, but the bouncer was convenient that it was light and easy to move around. For example, when we were in the kitchen eating dinner, we would put him in the bouncer next to us to keep him nearby but if he was already upset, the bouncer didn't do much to ease that.

brushesnbrunch · August 2015

I've heard/read more good things about the mamaroo than the rockaroo, but I'm a FTM so I am only going off what I've read and what people have told me. I was going to see if I could find a cheap one on craigslist/offerup/consignment to decide.

Twindling · August 2015

Much prefer the rock n play. (Especially for twin mommas)

Rock n plays can easily be moved from room to room AND they serve as a nice pack n play for the first 6ish months if you need to travel because they fold up and store pretty compact.

Edit to add:
They also make a great co sleeper (despite being a little short for our bed) it still beat having to buy a rock n play AND a bassinet

DaisyTortilla · August 2015

Monkeybutt80 said:
I can't give you a comparison because I had a mamaroo, but no rock n play. I did have a FP bouncer, which might be similar to rock n play, but I am not sure.
To be honest, I liked having both. Mamaroo was definitely better at calming him down than the FP bouncer, but the bouncer was convenient that it was light and easy to move around. For example, when we were in the kitchen eating dinner, we would put him in the bouncer next to us to keep him nearby but if he was already upset, the bouncer didn't do much to ease that.

Yeah. That's what I'm kind of looking for, something that will help calm baby.

@brushesnbrunch- I've looked and craigslist isn't coming up with much for rock a roo. I need to hit up the consignment stores. It seems like not many people buy them.

gollymrsmolly · August 2015

IMO they are two completely different things. We have both and I love both! DS would nap in the rock in play and when we went on weekend vacations it was easy to bring that with for DS to sleep in. Also, it was a very reasonable price. For us, we just kept the mamaroo in the living room and it kept DS occupied when he was really little while I got some household things done or was cooking!

MrsJG3 · August 2015

I have heard the mamaroo is better than the rockaroo. From what friends have told me the mamaroo would replace a swing as far as gear. I might get one if I can find it used since my kids hated the swing. I would still use my rock and play though bc I can move it when I take a shower etc. It is also nice when you go to other people's houses since it folds and it light. I put it next to my bed like a co-sleeper too.

DaisyTortilla · August 2015

gollymrsmolly said:
IMO they are two completely different things. We have both and I love both! DS would nap in the rock in play and when we went on weekend vacations it was easy to bring that with for DS to sleep in. Also, it was a very reasonable price. For us, we just kept the mamaroo in the living room and it kept DS occupied when he was really little while I got some household things done or was cooking!

Oh goodness, thank you for your response! This is very helpful!

Monkeybutt80 · August 2015

gollymrsmolly said:

IMO they are two completely different things. We have both and I love both! DS would nap in the rock in play and when we went on weekend vacations it was easy to bring that with for DS to sleep in. Also, it was a very reasonable price. For us, we just kept the mamaroo in the living room and it kept DS occupied when he was really little while I got some household things done or was cooking!

yes. This is kinda what I meant. I got the mamaroo instead of a swing. And the bouncer was instead of rock n play. I agree that they are two different things. I preferred mamaroo over the conventional swing because 1) the conventional swings had very wide bases with legs sticking out far that made me think it'd be a tripping hazard for a clumsy person like me and 2) the swing goes pretty fast! I thought mamaroo mimicked the rocking motion of a mother better than a motorized swing that had a very wide range and super speed. and 3) I honestly liked the way mamaroos looked better than conventional swings.

DaisyTortilla · August 2015

Yeah, I was also thinking that based on the responses a mamaroo was more like a swing. I think I'm going to stick with the rock n play and a swing but, the smaller shorter swing version that isn't so bulky. It's our last baby and I don't really see it necessary to buy new and spend a ton. All of our old stuff got wet because our old place rained in.

oh well. Thanks for all your responses ladies, you all are awesome and very helpful!

pbtoast · August 2015

This is helpful. I added a MamaRoo plus a lightweight Baby Bjorn bouncer that we could move around the house or take with us to grandparents' houses, etc. I was worried that may be overkill but sounds like that type of arrangement worked for others.

ARogers26 · August 2015

I have the rock n play. My son slept in it until he was able to roll over. I loved it. My friends had the mamaroo and their kid screamed every time she was in it. EDIT. SPELLING. MOBILE.

AggieKim · August 2015

I only had the rock and play with my son. I swear by its amazingness. And I've had other friends at work love the hell out of it, too. I don't know about the newer models, but the old ass one that I have had some complaints of babies who spend a lot of time in it having flat spots on their skulls. I just put a fleece blanket under the padding, made sure his head turned often, and, of course, he didn't stay there all the time. Especially since my son ended up with GERD, it was brilliant in keeping him inclined. When I went back to work, my husband really used the rocking feature to help soothe my son when he was watching him and I was gone.

Monkeybutt80 · August 2015

@pbtoast I absolutely love the way baby bjorn bouncer looks. I would totally buy it if I didn't already have that FP snugsbunny bouncer or whatever it's called.

pbtoast · August 2015

Monkeybutt80 said:
@pbtoast I absolutely love the way baby bjorn bouncer looks. I would totally buy it if I didn't already have that FP snugsbunny bouncer or whatever it's called.

I do too!

graceinchaos · August 2015

Someone gifted us with a MamaRoo & I am really excited to (finally) use it! It has so many cool features, and it's actually pretty good looking, for what it is lol. I'm hoping we can also pick up a R&P, in case LO doesn't like the MamaRoo (praying the babe LOVES it as much as we do). I'd like the R&P for travel, etc.

Fullerj21 · August 2015

No experience with either of those but everyone I know who has a rock n play loved it.

We have a mamaroo and DD loved it! We also have a light weight fisher price vibrating chair we used a lot when she was little (less than 6 mos). Cheaper, Portable and easy to take room to room. My mom always wanted us to bring that chair over if she was watching her at her house too.

minivanmafia · August 2015

Im glad to read all the comments too… I have both the fisher price swing that rotates and the rock n play. The swing SAVED us the first few months so since I have both (and we baby wear) I think we will just stick to what we got. I have baby gear coming out of my ears it seems.

wisco29 · August 2015

I liked reading all of these too, reinforced my want and my need for a rock and play!

I really want a certain snugga- one but they only have it on amazon apparently!

Also I know I've said this a zillion times but if you're getting a swing and a rock n play watch target to see if they have the buy swing get free rock n play deal!

DaisyTortilla · August 2015

wisco29 said:
I liked reading all of these too, reinforced my want and my need for a rock and play!

I really want a certain snugga- one but they only have it on amazon apparently!

Also I know I've said this a zillion times but if you're getting a swing and a rock n play watch target to see if they have the buy swing get free rock n play deal!

Oh!! When does this happen??

pettycrocker · August 2015

I had a RNP for my DD, I'm thinking about a mamaroo this time.

charliegoldengirl · August 2015

I know tons of people who love their Rock N Play - esp for getting baby to sleep long stretches. But I've also heard lots of babies getting flat spots on their heads from it ...

inomniaparatus · August 2015

I'm registering for the mamaroo but was curious if I needed a RNP too

wisco29 · August 2015

@daisytortilla watch for their baby promo sales. If I see it I'll post about it on the board for sure!

DaisyTortilla · August 2015

Awesome! I try to look at their ad every Sunday, if I see it I will also post it.

Ju111310 · August 2015

I think the rockaroo is a toned down version of the mamaroo. I personally was very disappointed with the mamaroo and wouldn't spend that amount of money on it again. I was super excited about it and it was just mehh. I think a regular ol baby swing would be much cheaper and do just as good (although it won't look as cool). RNP is a different piece of gear all together. I know everyone swears by them for sleeping, but I say wait and see what your LO is like first. I think starting them out sleeping in an inclined "snuggled" device like the RNP makes it more difficult to transition to a flat sleeping surface later. I personally say start with a bassinet, pck n play, co sleeper, crib, etc and then if baby won't sleep in it try other things like the RNP. If it turns out that you've got a difficult sleeper, Amazon prime can have at on your doorstep in no time!

Shatzegirl · August 2015

I don't know that a Rockaroo is but my son loved the Rock 'n Play. It was very easy to move around and worked great for traveling.

jennarhoda · August 2015

I love my rock n play my son slept in it for the first few months and it's really helpful that it's so portable. I would take it to my moms when she watched him. Now it's my go to baby shower present for new moms!

tooba22 · August 2015

Momaroo all the way. I gifted it to close friends for the welcoming of their baby and they absolutely love it! They can control it from their iPhones and it was the only thing to calm baby down. I will say, they had a difficult transition into the crib because the momaroo was their go to trick to get baby down for a nap or at night. It's also not the most cost effective way but the technology behind it makes it a no brainier. The inventors studied different ways moms moved and basically copied it into a machine version of a "mom".Instead of spending hours on end bouncing the baby the momaroo will do the work for you when you are too exhausted.

evesmom8 · August 2015

I LOVED my rock n play. I had an enormous shower and received pretty much every baby thing you can imagine, and the rock n play was my #1 favorite.

minivanmafia · August 2015

charliegoldengirl said:
I know tons of people who love their Rock N Play - esp for getting baby to sleep long stretches. But I've also heard lots of babies getting flat spots on their heads from it ...

@charliegoldengirl They can get a flat spot on the back of their head from laying in anything too long... Just as long as you don't keep them in it 24 hours a day should be fine.

ameliejoe · August 2015

I found a mamaroo second hand in excellent condition and I grabbed it when I was only 6 weeks prego! I just bought a new plush sling for the babes, but it was still 60% of MSRP. If the little one doesn't like it, I know I can recoup my losses by reselling it. But I'm loving that it takes up less space and seems more sturdy than a 4-legged swing.

I've talked with friends who have kiddos about a bassinet vs. RNP, and they've all mentioned that it could leave a flat spot on baby's head and make transition to crib a little harder (since they'll be accustomed to sleeping on an incline). I think may use a play yard with bassinet for the short term and then play it by ear and buy more if we baby hates everything. There's no need to have more baby gear than necessary!

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