Baby Rocker

[itsnormalforbridgwater]

Hello.

I'm a FTM so open to as much advice as i can get.

I've got to buy something for my DD to sleep in when we are in the front room. Ive been looking at baby rockers.

Any advice?

Music vs. No music?
Vibrating vs. swinging?

Any particular models etc?

Could I get away with buying second hand?

Personally I wouldn't buy a rocker for sleeping in. It can encourage flat head on baby, not breathable matress so can't leave for minute and isn't good for newborns breathing as not lying completely flat ( which they should do majority of the time)

So you could look at a Moses basket, which can be used upstairs also when small as portable. Can buy secondhand but needs new matress. Or small crib ie mothercare Hyde is about £35. Or if you plan to travel at some point in babies first year or so you could look at buying a travel cot and using in living room when small, then pack away and use when travelling.

For small option baby sheepskin rug on floor is good when they can't roll.

You can also just use your pram in the living room for them to nap in to save buying additional things

Oh and so if you did want rocker/ bouncer for general short use I would go for basic bouncer as take up less room plus music free as it will drive you mad! Most you can't use for safety after they can sit as can tip so only 6 months use max so don't spend lots. Although the babybjorn one lasts until 2 years as anti tip as baby can bounce themselves, but expensive. Def look for second hand. Most with music/ vibration can e taken apart and washed in machine, good if second hand or baby sick

Thank you thats really useful. I have got a moses basket already so that might save me a bit of money.

i really am a novice.

Our baby swing was a godsend. Both ds loved it. And when teething it was the only way to settle them. Ours liked the music and it wasn't annoying - we soon learnt to tune it out. It also rocked at different speeds. It was the best present we were ever bought!

Love love love the baby bjorn bouncer. DS loves his still (9 months). Good for the occasional sleep, calm time, or when I needs to get a few jobs done (or take a shower/have a wee).

It folds down very easily, have actually taken it in the car with us when visiting family etc.

Wouldn't bother with music/vibrate functions.

I've got a Moses Basket for the living room, also the carrycot on the pram has a mattress and is suitable for sleep as it's totally flat, not just a reclined seat. Got a Mothercare crib for next to the bed until he's 6 months (or too big). We got a Rocker for short term use in the living room though, in case it soothes him. It's a Bright Starts one from Mothercare and it swings but no music as we play music a lot so he can have our music :) I think an hour or so is ok. Most of the time when he's newborn I plan on cuddles and a bit of tummy time on a snuggly mat, but will need to put him down sometimes! So the rocker is for that.

I'd put it in the wait and see category. They're like marmite - some babies will love them, some babies will absolutely hate them.

Get a cheap bouncer, or borrow one, because they are handy to have. But you can easily spend a lot (BabyBjorn is £100+! ) and then your baby just isn't interested or happy in it. If they seem to like the cheap one, you can buy a nicer one later.