Bye, Bye, Magical Rock N’ Play…Hello You Will Have To Do Dream Glider
Our journey to the Graco DreamGlider. When Grayson was born we thought we were all prepared to bring him home. We put together his Graco Dream Suite Bassinet and Changer. The sweet little bed came together quickly and we wheeled it into our room.
I guess what you conjure up in your mind of what it is going to be like when you bring your baby home for the first time is a true fantasy. At least that was the case for us.
The first night we brought Grayson home he of course wasn’t sleeping long stretches and waking for feedings every two hours. We couldn’t wait to put him in his sweet bassinet. He did not seem to appreciate his new cuddly digs one bit!
Well fast forward to night seven and he still did not want to be put down in his bassinet. At this point, we were blurry-eyed zombies looking for a magical solution to our tag team sleeping offense.
Hello! Magical Rock N’ Play
Dreams do come true!
So one night when we were both so beyond tired we decided to try the Rock ‘n Play. We had received it from my Aunt at Grayson’s baby shower. This was 2017 before they were recalled, of course.
He slept for a FOUR-hour stretch. This felt like a full night’s sleep to us at that point. I, of course, didn’t sleep the full four hours though as I worried something was wrong since he slept so “long”.
The helicopter Mom in me kept watching him rock peacefully next to me. Making sure I saw him breathing.
Let me tell you, I know it is with any child, but the first especially enhances your fears of all the bad things that can happen.
Being that you are so new to the experience and hear so many stories. The Rock n’ Play had become the magical solution that we were looking for.
Not So Fast
Because right, when you think you have found the answer to life reality, comes knocking!
So again our dreams were shattered when we went to his first check-up. When we informed the doctor that we had let him sleep in the rock n’ play she quickly informed us that this was a “no-no”.
The doctor told us that he needed to be in a bassinet with a flat hard surface. I will say she somewhat scared us into not wanting to use the Rock n’ Play.
The Hunt For An Alternative
Because, once you know it’s possible, you have to find something to replicate it!
We went out looking for another solution. After some research and brainstorming, we realized that the key thing we needed to find was a safe bassinet that would also mimic the rocking motion similar to the Rock n’ Play.
Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet
Names can be deceiving.
So I found the Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet hoping that since it was the same brand as the Rock n’ Play and named “soothing motions” that it would do the trick.
Nothing soothing about it to Grayson at least. I mean we did drive an hour to pick it up in the hopes we would get more sleep but NOPE.
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Torn On What To Do Regarding The Rock n’ Play
This reminded us that, there will be lots of hard decisions along the way.
We were so torn as to what to do. We knew that the Rock n’ Play was his perfect sleeper. It offered both the motion and slight elevation because he had reflux.
After lots of sleepless nights, discussions, and prayers we decided that we all needed sleep. If the Rock n’ Play was the only place Grayson would sleep then that is where we would let him sleep.
He was never alone in the Rock n’ Play when he was sleeping and we were hyper-aware of him when he was sleeping in it.
Our Little White Lie
I definitely didn’t lose any sleep over it!
So at his next doctor’s appointment when we were asked if he was sleeping in a bassinet or crib, through a somewhat rested eye, we stated our white lie, yes!
Once Grayson was about 5 months old we moved his crib into our room. Had him adjust to sleeping in there before moving him in his own room to sleep.
It seemed to work for us. By no means was it easy or quick. But he transitioned and that’s all that mattered.
Fisher-Price Rock N’ Play Recalled
I guess the “Not So Fast” Notion we had with Grayson was just reciprocated with Mason!
In between then and now the magical Rock n’ Play was recalled. So when Mason was born we just couldn’t bring ourselves to let him sleep in it. Even though we knew how well Grayson slept in it and nothing happened to him.
I searched for something that had features similar to the Rock n’ Play. Something with motion, vibration, slight incline and was considered safe for sleeping. Hoping that something new had come on the market since Grayson was born.
The Graco DreamGlider Will Have To Do
Which was just fine, it just wasn’t the Rock ‘N Play!
I came across the Graco DreamGlider. It seemed like it would be our new non-recalled Rock n’ Play alternative. Again it was quite easy to assemble and ready for Mason’s arrival in no time.
It allowed you to set a slight incline but was still considered a bassinet. There were multiple rocking speeds and vibration. Pretty much all things that we were looking for!
This time around we didn’t expect much for Mason sleeping in the bassinet. Or at all for that matter. One can always dream.
I will say Mason did fine in the DreamGlider. For him, I don’t really think it mattered where he slept. He just didn’t sleep well in general. Which I attribute to the formula issues that caused him discomfort.
Related: Baby Formula: One Nightmare After Another
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Fisher-Price Soothe And Play Glider
Because if there is one solution, there could be two. And we all know two is better than one!
When Mason was about two months old I decided to buy the Fisher-Price 2 -in-1 Soothe and Play Glider. I wanted to have a place for him to sleep and lay when we were downstairs.
The really nice thing about the Soothe and Play was that if he fell asleep downstairs I could just lift the top part of the glider out of the base and carry him upstairs. I could do all of this without waking him, BONUS!
I would occasionally bring the whole unit upstairs to have him sleep in it at night. But that was just when he hadn’t slept for more than an hour at a time.
At 2 AM you will try just about anything that you think will aid in a screaming baby getting back to sleep. He slept mostly in the DreamGlider before transitioning to his crib in our room around four months old.
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Would Definitely Recommend The Graco DreamGlider And The Fisher-Price Soothe N’ Play
For all those looking to replace the Rock ‘N Play with something not recalled, these two are definite contenders to try!
I would definitely recommend both the DreamGlider and Soothe and Play to new parents. Especially if their baby needs motion to sleep. Or if they are dealing with reflux because the incline is key!
