https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 23:56:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer/page/2#post-2041166 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 18:47:27 +0000 Charm54 2041166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just had a mamaroo and it did everything we wanted , and more. It was nice having just one machine ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer/page/2#post-2041154 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 18:35:02 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2041154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluemasonjar: Oooh, that's a great deal! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer/page/2#post-2040210 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 10:20:09 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2040210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBananaGrabber: I think we are going to plan to get all 3 too. I have heard a lot of stories about babies that love or hate the swing so we bought one from our friends for $30 so we will have it on hand but won't be a big waste if our LO is in the camp that doesn't like it. So much gear! lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer/page/2#post-2040092 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 09:04:02 +0000 Miss Ariel 2040092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The RnP has been awesome for us. It's really where we do all our naps. I like that when she starts to wake up her own movements will rock her back to sleep.</p> <p>Our friends gave us their old mamaroo so we never bought a swing or bouncer. Although we've only used it once or twice when nothing else seems to calm her down. Although since it's in the nursery we have started using its white noise each night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer/page/2#post-2040086 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 09:00:11 +0000 artsyfartsy 2040086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't have a RnP</p> <p>We have a swing that plugs in. We would have spent more on batteries than the swing itself if it had only taken batteries! It wasn't a necessity for us, but it definitely was useful. It was the only place he would nap besides me before he got used to the crib. </p> <p>We still use our bouncer at 11 months. Lol. It's where he has his bottles because it reclines him back nicely and he loves to kick and bounce that thing to death still. It was great and portable to just sit him in around the house when he was little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer/page/2#post-2040044 Mon, 26 Jan 2015 08:04:14 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2040044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we're going to go ahead and register for all 3. We're not announcing the gender before the shower, so I want to be sure there are enough gender-neutral gifts on our registry, and none of them are that expensive. Anything we aren't given we'll end up buying ourselves just to be safe. I'd rather get all 3 now and find our what works than not have something that the baby might love. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer/page/2#post-2030889 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:20:35 +0000 wonderstruck 2030889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>RnP: Completely indispensable for us. Very portable for moving around the house or visiting family, and our go-to spot for setting LO down when we needed to. Both kids slept in it for the first month or two.</p> <p>Swing: LO #1 loved it and I could have never done without; he was a terrible napper and this was the only way to get him down. We have the Fisher price snugabunny swing. LO #2 hates it so at the moment it's a giant waste of space:</p> <p>Bouncer: LO #1 was 'meh' about them, preferred the RnP. LO #2 loves them, I'm probably going to sell my swing and get one instead just to have some variety for him since the RnP doesn't have toys hanging over it like the bouncer does. Really he's just as happy on the floor in his playmat, but since I have a toddler I can't leave him on the floor all the time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer/page/2#post-2030860 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 12:00:01 +0000 ShootingStar 2030860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used the RnP, swing, and bouncer. </p> <p>The swing was really useful for extending naps. It didn't really make him happy to be put in there when he was awake, but if we put him down asleep, he tended to stay asleep.</p> <p>The RnP was supposed to be our bassinet, but he didn't like it at first. Later we used it as an evening nap place in our living room. </p> <p>The bouncy seat might have been the most valuable to me. I used it every day in the bathroom so I could have a safe place to put him while I got ready in the morning. I also used it as a place to set him down by the door to get ready to go out, and occasionally in the living room as a safe place to put him when he was awake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-2030664 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:38:36 +0000 Astro Bee 2030664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamasig: Nope, I'm 34! I just have a mental concept in my head of what a playpen is (from my 80's childhood), and it doesn't match up with what I see in stores nowadays. The one we had, my grandfather made. My family is very traditional and rural, and live halfway across the country, so I'm not sure what my cousins there are using, or what my aunts are referring to. </p> <p>@TravellingBee: @Mamasig: It's a wooden one piece rocking bassinet that's low to the ground. MIL is having a firm foam mattress custom made for it, which is all we plan to use, with a sheet. If LO doesn't like that, we'll either use the crib or buy a bassinet for our room (although we may have room for the full size crib). I'd like to try it first so as not to offend the MIL, but only if it's safe and comfortable. I also voiced my concerns to DH about potentially having difficulty bending down to pick LO up at first. We'll deal with that as it comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-2030611 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:24:09 +0000 Peasinapod 2030611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I liked the rock n play for visiting ppl so I had somewhere to nap my lo for brief periods. She slept pretty good in it but I was always too nervous to use it for extended periods because of an article I read about it affecting the shape of babies head.</p> <p>The swing I really like (we have a fisher price one that plugs in). It's the only thing other than my arms lo will nap in. Although I have to swaddle and nurse to sleep before putting her in. She's not a good napper!</p> <p>Don't have a bouncer.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-2030602 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:19:59 +0000 Mamasig 2030602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: you must be young! Growing up it was called a playpen. I had no idea what a pack n play was at first. I tried the old time wooden swinging bassinet with my 1st and he hated it! Hope it works for you.</p> <p>RNP - love love love. Didn't have it with my 1st and we survived but it's so useful and convenient. </p> <p>Mamaroo - didn't have it with my 1st. 2nd one used it and liked it but I wouldn't say it's necessary</p> <p>We had a vibrating chair both my kids loved. Not sure if that's the bouncer. We also really used the pack n play. My older son slept in it as a newborn and then we used them as a safe place to keep them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-2030571 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:10:33 +0000 travellingbee 2030571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: just a warning that my friend tried to use her wooden cradle from when she was little with her baby, and it didn't work out. Her LO was never comfortable unless it was packed totally full with blankets and pillows which is not considered safe. Maybe you have some other solution planned with it but I just wanted to give you a heads up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-2030556 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:07:31 +0000 travellingbee 2030556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't use the bouncer very much, as he definitely prefered swinging to bouncing and vibrating. The rock and play was where he slept next to us at night. So the rock and play and swing were our essentials. The bouncer wasn't super necessary. We try to mamma Roo when we were on vacation and a friend had it. Frankly he preferred the more rough swing of a swing to the gentle mamma Roo motion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-2030542 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:02:31 +0000 LuLu Mom 2030542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>RNP -- This was our bassinet and was essential. Our DD has reflux and the slight incline allowed her to sleep and nap comfortably, and was super easy to take with us places so she was in her comfort zone. </p> <p>Swing -- Was bulky but she loved it the first 4-5 months, I could put her down in there while I made dinner and she was content. We called it the baby whisper </p> <p>Bouncer -- Of all the things that we could have passed on it was the bouncer, she liked it but it was no different than the swing. The elevation was nice after eating with her reflux though. </p> <p>No personal experience with the Mamaroo, however my sister and SIL both had one and both their children hated it, they both call it a waste of money and wish they would have stuck with a normal swing (both used on their second child, had a swing with their first.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-2030356 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 09:04:12 +0000 Astro Bee 2030356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following. Have been wondering these questions, too. My aunts told my mom that they would get me a "playpen," since that is what they got my cousin last yr. I have no idea what that means, as it was passed via my mom, but I know I didn't register for one. Maybe she means a PnP, which we also haven't registered for. We already have a wooden bassinet that DH and his brother used as babies. Perhaps I can stead them towards a swing or bouncer? Recommendations?</p> <p>ETA: why don't people follow registries?!? Especially for bigger ticket items? I certainly don't expect people to follow for everything (e.g., clothes, toys, books, etc), but we received two massive crockpots for our wedding 5 yrs ago. We still haven't used them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-2030319 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 08:49:39 +0000 MenagerieMama 2030319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Twine: This exactly. Although instead of the RnP (I was too worried about plagiocephaly and sleep safety, LO slept in a PnP in our room) we had a low tech bouncer - the babybjorn balance. Although she really didn't get into it until she was a little older (loves it now!) and I never let her sleep in it. Our best piece of alternative baby sleeping gear was the Moby wrap! Worth it's weight in gold for the first few months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-2030257 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 08:03:31 +0000 MrsBananaGrabber 2030257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It looks like this thread hasn't been posted on in over a year. There may be a more recent similar thread, but I'd love to know if anyone has any additional input on this issue. We're trying to decide which of these things to put on our registry :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1075590 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 01:48:02 +0000 Penny Lane 1075590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we never had a rock n play or a bouncer. we had a super cheap swing, which he tolerated some of the time... it got us a few good nights sleep, so I call it a success :)</p> <p>and then, once he could kinda sorta mostly support himself sitting upright we got a jumperoo, which still saves my sanity sometimes even now at 13 months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1075588 Tue, 10 Sep 2013 01:40:32 +0000 VanillaBean 1075588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did not get a rnp or bouncer for lo;however, we were gift a swing from my parents. Initially, lo did not like the swing until he was 3 months old. I alternate between the pnp and swing when I needed to get things down while he was awake. He is now 8 months and on occasions, the swing will make him sleep but I think he has grown out of it since he now can crawl and pull up proficiently. He doesn't like to be strap in anything that will not allow him to have the freedom to roam about. </p> <p>We did not miss the rnp or bouncer. I think having the swing was good enough for our lo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1075534 Mon, 09 Sep 2013 23:34:09 +0000 lamariniere 1075534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsH: our lounger was an older fisher price soothing vibrations something or other. I found it in the trash room in our building and after cleaning it, it was perfectly fine. We didn't use the vibration setting much though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1074614 Mon, 09 Sep 2013 14:09:10 +0000 MrsH 1074614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: @lamariniere: what bouncer do you use? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1072433 Sun, 08 Sep 2013 08:04:11 +0000 lamariniere 1072433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>RNP - never had one</p> <p>Bouncer - used it from day 1 until about 9 months. DS only slept in it a handful of times, but when I had to take a shower, or pee or cook dinner, or otherwise not hold him, I had to put him somewhere.</p> <p>Swing - we bought it when DS was about 3 months and he slept in it quite a lot until about 5 months, so it was useful. It probably would have been more useful even earlier. If you get a swing DEFINITELY get one that plugs in, not a battery operated one. You will be changing batteries weekly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1072148 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 20:32:12 +0000 winniebee 1072148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: ditto to what you said minus Mario no experience there. </p> <p>All were essential for my boy who hated lying flat on back at first. </p> <p>R and p for night sleep til 4 months </p> <p>Swing for naps til 4 months </p> <p>Bouncer for "play time" til 6 months. He never really mapped in it after month 1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1072109 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 20:06:15 +0000 luckypenny 1072109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Never had a swing or a RNP. Don't feel like I missed out either. Only had a bouncer and we used it for 3 months and was great. All I needed. Didn't want DD to be dependent on any motion or feeling held </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1072026 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 18:49:33 +0000 MrsF 1072026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>- The r'n'p was our #1 must have item. M slept in it next to our bed for all nights and naps for the first five months (she has a perfectly round head but I know some people have said phagioceplaly can be an issue). I loved that I could put her in it, rock her to sleep and sneak away. No issue of having to soothe her and then transfer her to a crib. She was the kind of baby who needed to be moving all the time. I could put this next to me anywhere (Christmas dinner table), eat and soothe her at the same time. Folds flat for travel.<br /> - FP vibrating chair we used a lot as a newborn. The vibration helped her to chill for a minute and, again, you could bounce it with your foot.<br /> - The swing M hated at first but it helped us after 6 weeks or so. Of everything we could have done without the swing. If you get one get the one that plugs into the wall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1072014 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 18:39:06 +0000 mrsbookworm 1072014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>RnP: We didn't have one. He slept in a PnP in our room which made the transition to the crib really easy.</p> <p>Swing: We have the FP Snugabunny. He doesn't really care for it. He's never slept in it and will tolerate for 10 minutes if I'm lucky. It was kind of a waste of money and space for us.</p> <p>Bouncer: Didn't use this either because he hated it. I would up using the car seat when I was cooking or taking a shower. It wasn't too expensive though, so I didn't feel too guilty.</p> <p>Mamaroo: We tried this at a friend's house. (I was hoping he'd like something!) He didn't like it anymore than the swing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1072011 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 18:35:32 +0000 MamaJ 1072011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still use the bouncer at 9 months to keep DS contained while going to to bathroom, etc. ours was a hand me down. I used the swing until about 4 months when he decided he hated it. He slept in it for naps when he was younger. I never had a rock n play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1072000 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 18:29:46 +0000 Smurfette 1072000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bouncer: great for putting on the table so she could see us while we ate dinner. Or lunch for me while on leave<br /> RnP: she slept in it for the first 8-9 weeks. Still use it if she wakes up early and I need to contain her, aka strap her in, while I get ready for work<br /> Swing: she hated the one we borrowed from someone. Really glad we didn't buy one </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1071950 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 17:26:16 +0000 Mrs. Twine 1071950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am the type of parent who doesn't like a lot of baby "stuff." I sort of felt like I would rather wear the girls or play with them on the floor sometimes and not have bouncers/swings/whatever. However-- I did have a R'n'P. It worked really well for us because the shape of it mimicked being held, so on the rare occasions I needed Lorelei not in the wrap while napping, or while I did something fast, she seemed more content there than just flat on her floor bed or somewhere else. I liked that it was portable and easy to get out of the way when not in use (which was most of the time). You do have to watch out for extended periods of time in them, as other people have said, but for me it was a great match for our needs and wants. No mamaroo. I did contemplate it as our one baby item (instead of the R'n'P) but decided it was a little crazy to spend so much on something we intended to very rarely use, and I had heard so much about kids outgrowing them really fast and their not living up to the hype. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/rock-n-play-vs-swing-vs-bouncer#post-1071884 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 16:12:24 +0000 immabeetoo 1071884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Never had a RNP. </p> <p>Mamaroo &amp; FP Swing - hated mamaroo, tolerated FP swing but neither was worth the $ for him</p> <p>Bouncer - used constantly. he never slept in it, but it was a safe spot to put him while I ate, showered, etc. </p>