STMs+ who used a Rock 'N Play for sleeping at night

Lynnbirds4 · August 2015

STMs+...If you used the Rock 'n Play for your infant sleeping at night, I was wondering if you had a hard time transitioning your baby to their crib. For my first, I used a pack 'n play, but it was so large and took up so much room in my room, I would prefer something smaller. My SIL recommended this, but she didn't transition her kids to their crib until 9 months and they did not transition well. (I plan on transitioning by 3 months at the latest) I am not sure if it was due to the amount of time she had them in the Rock 'n Play or going from sleeping on an incline to sleeping flat on your back. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

fitmama89 · August 2015

I have no advice about transitioning baby from RNP to crib. However, I have been seeing many issues being reported about sleeping in the rock in play causing head development issues. The RNP is not meant for sleeping in at night

Just something you may want to look into. I was planning on purchasing one until I started reading into it.

https://kckidsdoc.com/dear-fisher-price.html

Pontot31 · August 2015

fitmama89 said:
I have no advice about transitioning baby from RNP to crib. However, I have been seeing many issues being reported about sleeping in the rock in play causing head development issues. The RNP is not meant for sleeping in at night Just something you may want to look into. I was planning on purchasing one until I started reading into it.

https://kckidsdoc.com/dear-fisher-price.html

Actually I talked to my doctor about this - you would have to leave the baby in the RnP the majority of the day for them to have issues. Some babies are just predisposed to flat spots as it is. There has not been an increase in head issues due to them. More babies are being treated for them overall because that has become common practice.

My daughter slept in the RnP for about a month and we didn't have any transition issues.
We mostly used it for naps and as a place for her to hang out. It fit nicely in my bathroom and was great when I had to take a shower. We also would put it by the kitchen table when we ate dinner and she hung out in there with us.
It was the only place she would take a bottle in too.

lwentland · August 2015

I didn't use a RnP for my first but did use the cradle insert from our pAck n play which is similar without the incline, I'd guess. He developed a flat spot and had to wear a helmet for about 5-6 months. I just bought a RnP for this baby but am just now hearing about the risks. I really don't wwant our second to have the same issues.

CupcakesRamazing · August 2015

My daughter slept every night in her rock and play until 5.5 months. We transitioned to the crib cold turkey with no swaddle. Went pretty well, I wouldn't worry

MoRay05 · August 2015

We used the RNP at night then started transitioning our LO around 3 months to the crib. She had a little bit of a hard time. I think it is bc the RNP is small and cozy where as the crib is much larger and open. I would suggest using a pack n play and/or crib for naps from day one. I think it will make it easier to transition completely.

dogsombrero · August 2015

My son had reflux and slept in the RnP until 4 months. He had no trouble transitioning once we got his meds right and laying flat wasn't incredibly painful for him.

He did not have any flat spots because his position was changed during the daytime and he wasn't just left in the same thing constantly. We did tummy time, propped on the boppy on the floor, bouncer, held, RnP, swing etc.

My pedi had no problem with the RnP for sleeping and said it was safer then trying to wedge his crib mattress to an incline. I bought a 2nd one and plan to have the twins sleep in those the first few months again.

fitmama89 · August 2015

Pontot31 said:

fitmama89 said:
I have no advice about transitioning baby from RNP to crib. However, I have been seeing many issues being reported about sleeping in the rock in play causing head development issues. The RNP is not meant for sleeping in at night Just something you may want to look into. I was planning on purchasing one until I started reading into it.

https://kckidsdoc.com/dear-fisher-price.html
Actually I talked to my doctor about this - you would have to leave the baby in the RnP the majority of the day for them to have issues. Some babies are just predisposed to flat spots as it is. There has not been an increase in head issues due to them. More babies are being treated for them overall because that has become common practice.

My daughter slept in the RnP for about a month and we didn't have any transition issues.
We mostly used it for naps and as a place for her to hang out. It fit nicely in my bathroom and was great when I had to take a shower. We also would put it by the kitchen table when we ate dinner and she hung out in there with us.
It was the only place she would take a bottle in too.

I'm all for differing opinions. & for those with infants with reflux I can see using the RNP. Personally, I have just read too many articles written by doctors on the subject matter. Aside from the fact that babies are supposed to lay on a flat surface to reduce the risk of SIDS (among other things) ... I have decided the risk of head development issues isn't worth using a RNP for my child. I just wanted to give OP something to consider.

dogsombrero · August 2015

fitmama89 said:

Pontot31 said:

fitmama89 said:
I have no advice about transitioning baby from RNP to crib. However, I have been seeing many issues being reported about sleeping in the rock in play causing head development issues. The RNP is not meant for sleeping in at night Just something you may want to look into. I was planning on purchasing one until I started reading into it.

https://kckidsdoc.com/dear-fisher-price.html
Actually I talked to my doctor about this - you would have to leave the baby in the RnP the majority of the day for them to have issues. Some babies are just predisposed to flat spots as it is. There has not been an increase in head issues due to them. More babies are being treated for them overall because that has become common practice.

My daughter slept in the RnP for about a month and we didn't have any transition issues.
We mostly used it for naps and as a place for her to hang out. It fit nicely in my bathroom and was great when I had to take a shower. We also would put it by the kitchen table when we ate dinner and she hung out in there with us.
It was the only place she would take a bottle in too.
I'm all for differing opinions. & for those with infants with reflux I can see using the RNP. Personally, I have just read too many articles written by doctors on the subject matter. Aside from the fact that babies are supposed to lay on a flat surface to reduce the risk of SIDS (among other things) ... I have decided the risk of head development issues isn't worth using a RNP for my child. I just wanted to give OP something to consider.

You should absolutely know all the risks/benefits involved. I certainly recommend a RnP for reflux babies based on my experiences.

keallenrmt · August 2015

DD was in a pack n play until almost 1 year old (her bedroom was upstairs, ours was in the basement, I wasn't comfortable with her on another floor and then when she was 8 months we sold our house so it was easier just to leave her in it until after we moved). She slept in it for about a week after we moved then we switched her to her crib cold turkey and it was fine. This LO is on the same floor as us so we're going to keep her in the PNP until she's sleeping thru the night then transition her to her own crib. I'm hoping it goes as well as it did for DD.

LSRoo · August 2015

It really all depends on the baby. Ds slept in RNP for about 4 months before we transitioned into his crib. It was pretty rough. It took about 7-10 days until he adjusted but I still plan on using the RNP with this one. Every baby will have an obstacle. It may be a RNP, it may be a pacifier, etc.

MoRay05 · August 2015

Even if you don't use it for sleeping it is great having it in the living room, etc just to be able to put the baby down for a few mins.

VexedMommy · August 2015

I used a swing instead of a rock and play for my reflux baby, but it's the same concept. She slept in the swing most nights until she was about 6 months old and the reflux calmed down. Until then it was excruciating for her to be flat on her back. She did have trouble transitioning to the crib, but most likely that is because she lacked the rocking motion she was used to falling asleep to.

Lynnbirds4 · August 2015

Wow, thank you all for your comments and articles...I will definitely look into the articles and talk to my pediatrician. My first son was actually a great sleeper in the PnP and did end up with a flat spot wearing a helmet, so that was another thought I was having. But as one poster said, I would rather have a flat spot to deal with than worry about increasing the risk of SIDS! Thank you all!

Annie550 · August 2015

My daughter slept in it until 5 months. She's healthy and no issues

dogsombrero · August 2015

VexedMommy said:
I used a swing instead of a rock and play for my reflux baby, but it's the same concept. She slept in the swing most nights until she was about 6 months old and the reflux calmed down. Until then it was excruciating for her to be flat on her back. She did have trouble transitioning to the crib, but most likely that is because she lacked the rocking motion she was used to falling asleep to.

Desperate times. Please no repeat reflux!

lovey31 · August 2015

We used RNP with our first it was great but only for a short time maybe 6 weeks? no problems with transitioning to crib. 9 months is a really long time once the baby can sit up I would be scared they'd fall out of the RNP but we never used the safety straps either cause the baby was swaddled.

nlmosley · August 2015

We used the RNP for a while, but I cant remember how long. We started doing naps in the crib, and RNP for night time. Once she started sitting up in it, we moved her to her crib for all sleep times. The transition went pretty smoothly.

VexedMommy · August 2015

Have any second time reflux mommies seen this pack and play? I considered it because of the incline just in case, but got vetoed. Thought I'd share and get some of your thoughts and maybe it could work for your families.

https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Ultra-Lite-Night-Play-Yard/dp/B00MCJULWE/ref=sr_1_38?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1440505237&sr=1-38&keywords=pack+and+play

DJKai529 · August 2015

We used the RnP with my son for the first 2-3 months or so. During the day he was pretty much always held/tummy time/etc. He had phlagiocephaly (flat spot) that immediately resolved itself upon transition to a crib-we saw big results in just a couple weeks. It was bizarre, his trouble area matched the incline of the RnP almost perfectly. They really are pretty hard plastic with not a lot of padding. This time around I'll sidecar a crib to our bed instead of the RnP for overnight sleeping so LO can have a softer surface and more range of motion to turn her head freely from side to side since that seemed pretty restricted in the RnP.

ETA: he had reflux as well and I found that elevating one side of the crib by a couple inches made a huge difference. Obviously check with a pediatrician as I did, but I think we used a couple 2x4's and that solved both the reflux and flat spot issues.

angiesbump · January 2016

Baby girl is almost 12 weeks and has been sleeping in rock n play since we first got home from the hospital.. We're trying to transition to crib and it's not going very well.. At all. Even for naps.. Sometimes she'll stay asleep for for a few minutes and then kinda freaks out and wakes up.. Other times she's wide awake as soon I set her down.. i think she's taken an hour long nap in it all of twice.. I'm desperate, tips please!!

chein1 · January 2016

We transitioned DD1 from RNP to crib for naps at first. We didn't do this until she started sitting up. Once she started sitting up she didn't like the RNP anymore so the crib transition was easy.

chein1 · January 2016

Oh and her head was/is perfectly round

wulfpackgirl · January 2016

AngieandJakeBailey said:
Baby girl is almost 12 weeks and has been sleeping in rock n play since we first got home from the hospital.. We're trying to transition to crib and it's not going very well.. At all. Even for naps.. Sometimes she'll stay asleep for for a few minutes and then kinda freaks out and wakes up.. Other times she's wide awake as soon I set her down.. i think she's taken an hour long nap in it all of twice.. I'm desperate, tips please!!

I feel your pain.

Ceridwen77 · January 2016

My DD transitioned herself out of the RNP. While we didn't let her sleep in it for more than an hour and never unattended, it was her go-to place for daytime naps and an easy way to get her to sleep any time of day. Now she will only tolerate it when she's awake and in a good mood. She now only sleeps in my arms during the day and maybe for two 40min naps all day. Daycare starts the week of 2/8 so I don't know what they're going to do.

Elyse1384 · January 2016

VexedMommy said:
Have any second time reflux mommies seen this pack and play? I considered it because of the incline just in case, but got vetoed. Thought I'd share and get some of your thoughts and maybe it could work for your families.

https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Ultra-Lite-Night-Play-Yard/dp/B00MCJULWE/ref=sr_1_38?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1440505237&sr=1-38&keywords=pack+and+play

Oh I haven't see my that! I'll try it. Second time refluxer here (ugh!!!) and DD is too big for the inclined bassinet.

For another poster who mentioned babies should be flat on the back, DD's (also was DS's) GI specialist said flat sleep is downright dangerous for reflux babies and an incline is needed. Just something to consider when selecting sleeping arrangements.

hlz128 · January 2016

DS has been in his RNP since we got home from the hospital. It's exactly level with our bed so it made me feel better because I could watch him while he slept and it's like he's sleeping beside me. He is 23 1/2inches long and is getting too big for it so I need to start transitioning him to his PNP or crib soon. He is 9wks now. However he doesn't take day time naps unless I hold him, he's in the car seat, or his carrier. I'm not sure how to go about the process since all of the experience seems to be starting with naps in the cribs/PNP to switch. Any tips would be appreciated

MargaretC5 · January 2016

Our LO has been in thr RNP since we got home from the hospital (she will be 3 months on the 30th). We transitioned her to her crib 2 night ago. I just did our regular bed time routine except I laid her down in the crib instead of the RNP. We had no problems at all, she slept exactly the same as she did in her RNP both nights so far. We had her swaddled in the RNP and we kept her swaddled in the crib, which I am sure helped.
No advise for those having trouble but I wanted to let those who have not tried transitioning yet it can be problem free.

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