Simplisse Breast Pump and Breast Care Products *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Wendy (#49)!

Disclaimer:  This post contains information about breastfeeding.

I will be completely honest in admitting that when I was offered the opportunity to review a manual breast pump, I was hesitant.  After all, I use a double electric breast pump…how could it compare?  Would it be fast enough?  (I have an impatient 2 1/2 year old who doesn’t like when mommy pumps).  Would it empty like the electric breast pump? (I have a lot of milk…so much I could donate it)  Would I get tired of squeezing that little handle?  (I have some residual pregnancy carpal tunnel syndrome).  There were just some of the many questions I had about the pump.

A few weeks ago we drove to San Diego for an event.  We were running late and I decided to pump in the car.  I blew the fuse (and of course didn’t have batteries).  It was in that moment I wished that I had a pump that didn’t require batteries or electricity.  So I decided to give Simplisse’s Manual Breastfeeding Companion a try.

A little about the company behind the pump:

Simplisse is a line of breast pumps and breast care products designed to do let moms express breastmilk comfortably in order to provide milk for their babies for the longest period of time possible.

The most impressive aspect of the company (in my opinion) is the fact that the products were developed through a partnership between industry-leading lactation consultants and moms. Lactation consultants have the knowledge and expertise, while moms have the personal experience of breastfeeding and expressing milk for their baby.  The goal was to provide a comfortable, efficient way to express milk.  The result is the Manual Breastfeeding Companion.

I’ve yet to meet a woman who enjoys using a breast pump.  Some pumps hurt, pinch, and/or tug (believe me…I know!). The Manual Breastfeeding Companion was designed with patented compression technology and a super soft flexible breastcup to ensure comfort.  The pump works by naturally eliciting milk expression (as opposed to extracting milk via a suck-and-release action found in most breast pumps).  It was designed to emulate a baby’s suckling motions and feeding pressure.

To be honest, I had a bit of trouble with the pump initially.  I am one that always attempts to figure a product out without consulting the user manual, to see how far I can get.  I didn’t get very far this time around.  There are a number of pieces (10 to be exact) and if they’re not put together in just the right way, the pump doesn’t work.  Initially I couldn’t get it to express milk.  Then I read that the parts “should be dry, assembled correctly, and snugly fit.”  So I took it apart and re assembled it.  The next time I used the pump, milk was collecting in the bottle…and on my pants.  So I re assembled it again.  It turns out I had not attached and sealed two of the parts properly.  So I would recommend that you read the instructions AND watch their videos on assembling and disassembling the pump.

Once I got the pump to work, I was very impressed with it’s ability to express milk (remember that I’m using a double electric breast pump as my only comparison).  When I started using it, I thought it was going to take a long time because I couldn’t really feel anything.  I seriously thought nothing was happening, but then I looked down I already had an ounce.  It didn’t take any longer to express millk than it does with my electric pump (except that the Manual Breastfeeding Companion is a single pump).  It’s very comfortable because it has a soft, flexible breastcup that conforms and moves naturally with the breast.  The pump doesn’t pinch, pull, or hurt at all…in fact…it doesn’t feel like much (perhaps I’m desensitized by my double electric pump).  The only things I’d change about the pump are the assembly process (although once you learn it, you likely won’t have difficulty) and an option for double pumping.

If you’ve ever nursed a baby, then you know that there are a lot of products that make the process easier.  Breast pads keep you dry and help avoid embarrassing let-down moments, nipple cream eases discomfort (particularly in those first few weeks), and storage bags provide a convenient way to keep milk over a long period of time.  Simplisse offers an entire line of nursing accessories to help you be successful and comfortable.  Here is a summary of some of their most popular products:

Disposable Breast Pads: Features an ultra-absorbant micro-layer prevents leakage and contours to mom so no adhesive is required.  They’re super thin, but have to be changed often.

Breastmilk Storage Bags: Features an extra-durable design with double zip seals to protect precious breastmilk.  Using bags is a much wiser use of precious freezer space.  These are the only bags I know of  that stand upright.

Lanolin-Free Nipple Cream: Features a nutritive formula that nourishes the skin to help heal nipples.  If you don’t like lanolin (like me!) this is a safe, all-natural alternative.  It’s not sticky and doesn’t have to be washed off before nursing or pumping.

Essential Lactation Supplements: These essential nutrients enhance the health of breastfeeding moms.  They contain a special vitamin and mineral combination for the unique needs of breastfeeding moms.

You can purchase Simplisse’s entire line of breast care accessories at Babies R Us and select online retailers.

Win It! One of you will win a fabulous gift pack which includes the Manual Breastfeeding Companion, Essential Lactation Supplements, Disposable Breast Pads, Lanolin-Free Nipple Cream and Breastmilk Storage Bags (ARV $100).  Simply visit the site.  Then come back and leave me a comment with something you learned or a product you’d like to try out and why.  Comments will close on March 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Vote for Rockin’ Mama for the Hot Blogger Calendar

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review.

A Giveaway To Keep Your Baby Dry!

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Kristy (#58)!

My son and my daughter are 2 1/2 years apart (almost to the day).  Now that may seem like a decent amount of spacing in between the two children, but in many ways my son is still a baby.  There are times when he asserts his independence, vocalizes his thoughts and feelings, and acts like he’s very “grown up” (for a 2 year old).  But at the end of the day, he still needs a nap and needs constant supervision and refuses to potty train.  So, I still have two in diapers.

My son has shown many “signs of readiness.”  We had made some big steps towards potty training success, including several successful episodes of “I peed in the potty.”  But when our daughter was born, he wanted nothing to do with the potty.  And over the weekend he refused to wear his pull-ups.

So why was he not in pull-ups?  We were testing out the brand new, soon-to-be released Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max (remember my sneak peak?). Pampers recently redesigned their Cruisers line of diapers to make them 20% thinner, while maintaining their ability to keep babies dry.  When I took them out of the package for the first time, I thought, how in the world is a diaper this thin going to keep my son (who soaks through a pull-up every night) dry for an entire night?  And how is it going to contain his other movements (which can be quite messy, considering he has a suspected food allergy we’re testing for).

I was quite impressed with these diapers.  It’s been a week and my son has not leaked through the diaper.  I have used Pampers in the past including their Cruisers line (I especially like their Swaddlers for babies).  The only real difference (from what I can tell) is how thin they are.  I have noticed that my son isn’t trying to pull off his diaper like he does when his pull-up gets wet…a sign that the diapers are likely pulling the moisture away from him.  Here is a little more info from the site:

Pampers Cruisers Diapers are now made with our revolutionary new DRY MAX technology. Plus, the all-around softness and super-stretchy sides help your baby stay comfortable, while giving him freedom to move and play.

Pampers Cruisers With Dry Max are available in sizes 3 to 7 and will hit stores March 15.  Right now, you can purchase them at select retailers including Amazon and Babies R Us.  And they won’t cost you any more!  You can also try before you buy.

Win It! One of you will a week’s supply of diapers and a Liz Lange Diaper Clutch (ARV $50).  Simply leave me a comment with something you learned on the site.  Comments will close on March 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Vote for Rockin’ Mama for the Hot Blogger Calendar

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  Product samples were provided to facilitate this review.

Rockin’ Mama on Mom Talk Radio

Two weeks ago, I had the honor of being on Maria Bailey’s popular online radio show called Mom Talk Radio. Mom Talk Radio is the first nationally syndicated radio show for moms. The Integrated Mother and I were featured on the Mom’s Round Table and shared some of the ways we show teach our children about love and relationships.  I have no idea how to embed the audio file here (I even asked my techie husband).  But if you get a chance, stop on over to Mom Talk Radio every Sunday.

Here is a recap of the show:

Rainbow Brite is Back!
Diana Stuart is Creative VP at Hallmark Properties Hallmark has launched the official website for the latest version of Rainbow Brite, and excitement from fans is building!  Stephanie Nelson author of The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half.  Mom Blogger Roundtable - discuss Valentine’s Day, children and love.

Testing Out the Palm Pre Plus…Mom-Friendly Features *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Judy B (#60)!

So it’s week number three of my “test drive” and I’m converted.  I really only use my old phone to make calls because I haven’t imported all of my numbers from my old phone into the Palm Pre Plus.

I don’t know if I mentioned this in previous posts, but we are not Verizon subscribers.  Not yet.  But we are seriously considering making the switch.  We are no longer in a contract with our current mobile phone provider and are free to make a change.  Apart from the fact that the phone is user-friendly and offers a ton of features that make my life easier, the service I’ve experienced with Verizon has been very favorable.  Like any mobile phone service provider, there are spots where I don’t get reception.  But those have been very few and far between from my experience with Verizon.

This week I want to highlight some of specific features I think moms will appreciate about the phone.

I tend to be a bit on the disorganized side.  My husband and I utilize an online calendar via Google to keep track of our schedules.  I’ve had many phones with a calendar function but have never made use of it until now.  And that is because I didn’t have to do a lot of work to set the calendar up on the Palm Pre Plus (who has time for that right?).  Since I use an online Google calendar, I was able to sync that calendar into the one on my phone without re-entering any of the information.  If you have multiple online calendars (i.e. Facebook, etc.), you can sync all of those calendars into one calendar for easy viewing on the Palm Pre Plus.  Because the Palm Pre Plus can sync the calendars, I can enter information online via my Google calendar and then keep up with it on my phone.  And just like Google calendar, it’s able to color code individual calendars to keep everyone’s schedules distinct.  The phone also has 3 options for viewing (I prefer the monthly view for at-a-glance viewing and the daily view for a more detailed look at my schedule for the day).

Monthly View

Weekly View

Daily View

Color Coding and Calendar Viewing option

Syncing my calendars

I have lived in Southern California my entire life and still get turned around.  Last week I ended up in someone’s private community trying to get home (and I was less than 10 minutes away from my house).  A GPS is a must-have.  I’ve got play dates to go on, museums to explore with my kids, and new places to venture out to.  VZ Navigator is a paid service through Verizon which enables your phone to be used as a GPS (Global Positioning Services) device.  For $9.99 a month you get the following:

• Heads-up, voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions with auto re-routing if you miss a turn.
• Local search of nearly thirteen million points of interest (POIs) in the U.S.A.
• Detailed color maps that can be quickly panned and zoomed.

I cannot function without a GPS, and I do have one in my car.  But I thought I’d try this one to see how it compares.  I like the fact that it’s up to date (as opposed to my GPS device which desperately needs an upgrade).  I can enter a partial address and it will find it for me.  I also ike the voice-prompted directions (this ensures that I’m truly hands free).  There are three things I would love to see improved.

1.  Continued navigation, even if I’m using another application (such as email).

2.  I’d love to have an audible notification upon my arrival to my destination.

3.  I’m not sure if it’s just with the Palm Pre Plus, but I have to click to confirm re-routing which doesn’t make it entire hands-free.

Here are some screen captures from my recent trips, using VZ Navigator:

Find a gas station, go shopping, or a restaurant near your location.

Thai sounds good!

Coffee break?

What’s the weather like today?

Where is the cheapest gas?

What’s new on the big screen?

The Palm Pre Plus allows you to organize, multi-task, schedule, and stay connected.  It truly is a “smart” phone.  Be sure to come back next week as I conclude my test drive.  That’s not to say that you won’t be eharing more about this phone…because you will.  The company is constantly working on upgrades to improve it’s usability.  In fact, I just got a message, notifying me that I have a new video capture update.  Since I haven’t even begun to explore it, I’ll save that for next week!  Here is a little video I made to show you the phone in action:

And for another perspective on the Palm Pre Plus (plus even more opportunities to win a Verizon GC), check out these fabulous gals’ reviews:

Busy Mom

Manic Mommies

Musings of a Housewife

Mom Generations

Mom Trends

Quirky Fusion

Win It! I have one more $25 Verizon gift card to give away.  Simply leave me a question you have about the Palm Pre Plus.  I will try to answer as many of them as I can in my last post.  But rest assured that the company is listening so this is a great opportunity have your question sent to the team I’m working with. Comments will close on March 14, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Kooza Debuts In San Diego

Last night was the opening night of Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in sunny California!  We had an opportunity to attend their media preview night on Wednesday, and I have to say that seeing it again was just as breathtaking and heart stopping as the first time.

To recap, “KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil that combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.”  One minute you’re laughing, the next you’re on the edge of your seat as the performers accomplish a seemingly impossible feat.

I had the most amazing seats…two rows from the front!  If you like to be right in the center of the action, these seats are absolutely worth the money.  The solo trapezist literally flies over you.  I was able to see the facial expressions of the two artists who defied gravity when they took on the Wheel of Death.  Here are some pictures (courtesy of Cirque du Soleil):

Seeing KOOZA for the second time allowed me to notice intricate details of the show that I didn’t observe the first time.  One of the many attributes Cirque du Soleil is famous for, is it’s attention to detail in costume and makeup design.  The performers’ makeup is as detailed and dramatic as their performance.  The makeup designer “explored textures inspired by the Middle East and Africa, and adopted a signature that favors the spontaneity of gesture, and accentuates the asymmetry of line, the instinctive and the ritual.”  The costumes are also a work of art.  The costume designer gleaned inspiration “from graphic novels, the paintings of Gustav Klimt, Baron Münchhausen, the Mad Max movies, time-travel movies to India and Eastern Europe.”

One of my favorite aspects of any Cirque du Soleil performance is the music.  Live musical performers give depth to the performance and add to the ambiance and emotional context of the show.  The music “beautifully demonstrates the spirit of the live show with its themes of human connection and fun in a world of duality and was inspired by the sounds of western pop culture, from 1970s funk to full orchestral arrangements.” The composer also draws heavily on traditional Indian music.  My favorite track is “L’Innocent,” a symphonic arrangement with  modern musical inflections.  It combines some of the most beautiful instruments including the trumpet, violin, and cello.

Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA is showing now through March 21, 2010 under the Grand Chapiteau at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  Tickets can be purchased through their website.  And if you want a memorable and unique experience, consider Tapis Rouge.  This Ultimate Cirque VIP Experience includes the following:

Bloom’s Alma Crib

As a mom who believes in attachment parenting, it feels very unnatural to have our baby sleep in a separate room, away from us.  My ideal situation would be to have our daughter sleep in her own space, close to us, just as our son did (surprisingly, the room in our old apartment was just large enough to fit his crib).  For now, she’s sleeping in our bed, as our room is definitely not large enough to accommodate a full-size crib.

Bloom, a company founded by four dads, seeks to enable families to begin parenthood in style with products that enhance lifestyle and a sense of modern living.  Their latest in innovation is the alma bassinet/crib. It’s compact enough to fit next to a bed and serve as a bassinet (or co sleeper) but versatile enough to be used from infancy to toddlerhood (through the age of two, up to 50 pounds). The crib is ready to use out of the box (no assembly required).  You simply take it out and unfold it (easy!).  It has two mattress heights (for newborns and toddlers) and measures 30 x 20 x 33″, which means it will fit next to your bed.  alma is available in five colors (cappuccino, coconut white, frost grey, gala green, and harvest orange) and retails for $400.  While it’s a bit on the pricey side, you’re getting a bassinet and crib in one product.  It’s also made of wood with stainless steel detailing which means it’s likely sturdy and durable.

alma is available for purchase on Giggle and select retailers nationwide.

I did not receive compensation for this post.

Rainbow Brite Is Back! *Giveaway*

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to our winners Nicola (#8), Brianna (#28), Candice (#31), deb (#20), Susan V (#13)!

I grew up in the 80′s, the decade of leg warmers, Nintendo, Ray-Ban’s and Rainbow Brite.  My mom says she still has my childhood Rainbow Brite doll. And did you see my vintage Rainbow Brite T-shirt?  Rainbow Brite is back! She’s undergone a bit of a makeover but still delights children with her “empowering and imaginative adventures as she spreads her messages of courage, kindness, and hope.”  Did you know, that Rainbow Brite was actually a series introduced by Hallmark? (I didn’t!).  So who is Rainbow Brite?

Not so very long ago, a little girl name Wisp appeared in a colorless and unhappy world. Through courage, kindness and friendship, Wisp became Rainbow Brite and transformed the unhappy world to Rainbow Land, a magical place where all the colors in the universe are created.  Now, Rainbow Brite is one of Rainbow Land’s four Sky Powers, characters whose magical powers determine the cycles of Rainbow Land’s days and seasons. With the help of her friends, her magnificent horse Starlite, and her magical Color Belt and Star Scepter, Rainbow Brite travels to the far corners of the universe, bringing hope and happiness to everyone she meets.

This month, Rainbow Brite and her friends debuted in Target and Toys R Us stores nationwide.  To celebrate, I have 5 Rainbow Brite CD packs to giveaway, which include Rainbow Brite games and activities.

Win It! Simply leave me a comment with something new and interesting you learned on the Rainbow Brite site.  Comments will close on March 12, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Vote for Rockin’ Mama for the Hot Blogger Calendar

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I did not receive compensation for this post.  The giveaway CDs were supplied by MomSelect.

Making A Family Home

I have fond memories of my childhood home.  I grew up as an only child and we lived very simply.  While my mom (who is still my best friend) and I played at the beach and shopped at the mall together, we spent a lot of time at home.  I remember playing Barbies and reading stories.  I remember our family dinners and weekend get togethers with extended family.

It’s 2010 and I have my own family now.  It’s a different time.  In a world of technology and high-speed living, many families (including us) our looking for ways to slow down and smell the virtual flowers.  We spend a good amount of our time at home, but we still manage to get out and about on a regular basis.  And I’m still trying to find that balance.

Making A Family Home, by Shannon Honeybloom, “combines the mindfulness of modern homemakers with an understanding of childhood development, and an attention to truths such as love, goodness and beauty [to create] a beautiful and nuturing home.”  The author beautifully and artistically depicts the home as a safe, happy, healthy environment where children develop and thrive.  Step-by-step, room-by-room, the author shows us how to create a “family home.”  The book is very personal as the author pulls from her own home and family life experience.

The book is beautifully illustrated with incredible photographs from the author’s home.  She writes the book from the perspective that a child’s personal develpment begins in the home.  I love her simplistic approach to what a child “needs” to develop.  I gained a new perspective on our home and how I can transform it into more than just a place where we eat and sleep. I’ll leave you with a quote from the author that I absolutely cherish and have started to take to heart…

In the end, it’s not about enrichment classes, educational videos, multiple after-school activities. It’s not about spending a lot of money or buying a lot of things.  It’s about creating a calm, beautiful and healthy home for our families.  Such a home is the foundation for happiness and success in the world.

Making A Family Home retails for $20 and is available on the site.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A copy of the book was received to facilitate this review.

Easy Room Decor With Graphique de France

A little over a year ago, after spending many years as apartment dwellers, my husband and I bought our very first home.  It was so freeing to be able to personalize the decor in our home, from the paint on the walls to the carpet we installed.  My husband and our parents painted the entire 2-story home (impressive right?).  We chose unconventional colors like deep blues and greens.  But the walls were still missing something.  So we lined them with pictures of our children and our travels.  But the wall above my desk was still empty…

So, we decided to adorn it with a wall decal from Graphique de France.

Graphique de France is a company that “publishes calendars, stationery, and home decals that lend a splash of sophistication and self-expression to walls.”  This affordable, removable decor accent can transform a room.  The home decal you see above is their Eiffel Tower design.

In my experience, wall decals are used for children’s rooms.  I had no idea that a wall decal could transform a wall like it did above my desk.  We are actually not done with the space yet.  We are planning on layering pictures of our travels over the decal to give the wall some depth.

The wall decals are relatively easy to apply, and according to the company, easy to remove.  You simply peel and stick but you’ll want a ruler and maybe even a level to ensure it’s placed properly (straight, etc.).  We haven’t attempted to remove it because we actually really like the way it looks in that space.  The decal is actually quite large at 5 feet in height, so you could cover a large space with one decal.

If you enjoy an artistic look to your home, Graphique de France offers a variety of options including a Cityscape I’d like to put in our living room.  They also offer a kid’s collection which is a creative alternative to painting a child’s room.  Each decal retails for $13.95 to $19.95 (which is very affordable in my opinion) and is available for purchase from the site.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

Fisher Price’s Rock n Play Sleeper

For the last several weeks, we’ve suspected that our baby girl has reflux.  The colic, reflux and slow weight gain confirm that this is likely why she’s been fussy and uncomfortable.  One of the things are Pediatrician told us to do was have her upright as much as possible.  Because we co-sleep, it’s been a challenge to figure out a good way to do that while juggling a 2 year old.

When I agreed to review Fisher Price’s new Rock n Play Sleeper, I never imagined it would help with her reflux.  I simply saw it as a safe place to put her while I’m doing household work and taking care of my son.  The Rock n Play Sleeper is “a nighttime sleeper and playtime seat all in one [and] the only infant seat that meets industry safety standards for bassinets.”  In my opinion, it reminds me of a cross between a bassinet and a swing.  I like the ability to use it during the day to soothe or when she’s fussy or at night to sleep.  It’s very easy to put together (I did it myself in just a few minutes) and lightweight for transporting it around the house.

This picture is darker than I would have liked, but I love the expression on her face.

One of the things I like most about the Rock n Play Sleeper is that it has an inclined seat.  It’s nearly impossible to keep her upright after she eats unless I hold her or put her in a carrier, which is a challenge when you add the fact that I’m juggling a 2 year old.  I find that when I keep her upright (whether she’s held or placed in a more upright position) she spits up less.  The last few nights she’s been congested and I have kept her in the Rock n Play Sleeper at night.  Again, she’s been more comfortable being at an incline than being flat on her back.

The Rock n Play Sleeper features a three-point restraint to keep her safe, a toy bunny, and a washable insert.  It’s also super easy to transport since it’s lightweight and folds up easily.  At only $50, it’s about a third of the cost of a full-sized swing which makes it very affordable.  The Rock n Play Sleeper is suitable for infants up to 25 pounds.  It’s important to stop using it when your child is able to pull up or sit unassisted.

Some of the things I’d love to see improved include the following:

I’d love to see the Rock n Play Sleeper offered in gender-specific colors.  Right now it’s only available in yellow.

I’d love to see the company add music to the Rock n Play Sleeper.

I’d love to see an “automatic” rocking function that perhaps makes use of batteries.

For more information, just visit their site.

I did not receive compensation for this post.  I received a sample, courtesy of Fisher Price and MomSelect to facilitate this review.

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