October 2015 Moms

Sleeping in rocker seat

My son is 4.5 weeks old. During a fit of crying while trying to get him to fall asleep in his bassinet, I decided I needed to pee real quick and set him in his rocker baby seat for just a minute. When I came back he was sound asleep! So I let him sleep in it for the night and he slept so much longer than normal between feedings! I was so happy to get some sleep! Is it okay to let him sleep in this every night or am I going to be kicking myself for it when it's time to have him start sleeping in his crib? I think he likes the rocker bc it's got an incline, it vibrates, and I can rock it back and forth to get him to sleep faster. Any of you ladies having your baby sleep in something like this?

Re: Sleeping in rocker seat

  • 4.5 weeks is really young for a baby to fall asleep on his own. He probably fell asleep in the rocker because it mimics being held and rocked to sleep. For overnight sleep, once baby is asleep and out of the active sleep phase, I'd switch to the crib/bassinet, just like you would if he fell asleep on you. For naps in the day, I think it's fine in the rocker while you can watch him. This is what we have been doing with our 5 week old girl and it works well. We will try putting her directly in the bassinet while drowsy, but awake when she's a little older to train her to sleep on her own.
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  • My baby girl sleeps in her rock n play for naps and bedtime. She doesn't sleep well in the bassinet as its not incline. She naps for 3-4 hrs and at night sleeps 6-7 hrs straight. My suggestion-do whatever works!
  • Our son sleeps in the fisher price rock and play as well. He wouldn't sleep in his bassinet either bc of the flatness. He likes being inclined. Not sure how to transition him to start sleeping in his crib
  • I have a friend whose daughter slept exclusively in the rock n play for nearly four months and she's had an awful time making the transition to the crib. I wouldn't let him sleep at night in a bouncer/swing/rock n play any more than absolutely necessary. It also does lot follow AAP guidelines for baby sleep as it isn't flat so that's something to consider.

    I agree with @mrstps - if you are awake and can watch your son sleep in the rocker (to make sure his airway stays open) then go for it, but at night he needs to be in a crib or bassinet flat on his back. If you aren't swaddling that's worth a try (my daughter won't sleep in the PNP bassinet unless she's swaddled).
  • On my second child, and both were exclusively rock and play sleepers until 4-5 months. This LO will transition around then too. No issues switching to crib. It all depends on your LO. When they're ready, they're ready.
  • Our dr said to avoid LO sleeping in the RNP at all. If the fall asleep in it, immediately transfer her to the crib or bassinet. Also only let her "play" in it for 20 minutes at a time. Pediatricians have seen a huge increase of flat heads (like upwards of 45% nationwide) and it is being hugely attributed to Babies sleeping in the Rock and plays.
  • My first son slept in his RNP exclusively until he was 4 months old. I used a boppy head support pillow to prevent him from getting a flat head and I had no trouble transitioning to a crib. I plan to do the same with this LO.

    https://www.amazon.com/Boppy-Noggin-Support-Brown-Wheels/dp/B001O9F6M8
  • I mentioned to my pediatrician that my daughter (3 weeks at the time, now 5) prefers the RnP to her bassinet. She will fall asleep in her bassinet, but not as soundly and wakes more frequently. The doctor said, do what works. If we want to switch to the RnP, for overnight sleeping, no big deal. She said both of her kids slept in them for the first 3 months. She just said that if it has a pillow, remove it. It pushes the chin too close to the chest. Without a pillow is fine.
  • My 7 week old has slept in his rock n play since we came home. He has acid reflux so the incline helps him sleep better.
    This is my second child. My first slept in a bassinet and we, had issues transitioning her to her crib so I think it just depends the child and what works best for you to get some sleep! Every child is different and comes with their own likes and dislikes and sleeping dilemmas.
  • My pediatrician suggested today to let LO sleep in the swing if we want because of her reflux. She tends to choke when laying flat. Once we transfer to crib she suggested a pillow under the crib sheet or even under the crib matress to create an incline for her.
  • Thanks everyone! And I'm Glad to know I'm not alone in this rock n play sleep struggle!!
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