Newborn babies are notorious for their refusal to sleep through the night. It’s a reality that all new parents begrudgingly accept as part of the job. Still, that doesn’t mean parents won’t try to find a workaround if possible.
The market is full of products that promise to give you (and your baby) a good night’s sleep.
The 4moms Mamaroo sleep bassinet is the latest item in a long line of baby products that pledge to get your baby to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Important Benefits of the Mamaroo Sleep Bassinet
4moms Mamaroo became a household name with the release of the Mamaroo infant swing seat in 2012. It was an overnight sensation. Suddenly, every TV personality and blogger was proclaiming the infant seat as a must-have.
What made the Mamaroo different from every other baby swing? The company decided to forego the swinging and vibrating settings that baby swings were known for. Instead, their infant seat had 5 motions that were made to mimic the motions of a parent holding and rocking a baby.
In 2020, Mamaroo took its innovations and integrated them into a sleep bassinet. All over the world, sleep-deprived parents rejoiced. Still, is the Mamaroo sleep bassinet truly the next sleep savior?
Five Unique Motions
The Mamaroo bassinet is designed to mimic the natural rocking motions of parents. For years, these 5 moves have been successful at soothing babies in the Mamaroo infant seat. Now, 4moms is ready to show their proven techniques can rock a baby right to sleep.
Here are the 5 motions of the bassinet:
- Car Ride
- Kangaroo
- Tree Swing
- Rock-a-Bye
- Wave
I’m a big fan of the car ride motion. Back when my son was a newborn, so many nights ended with a car ride that we prayed would put him to sleep.
In conjunction with any of the motions, you can also set a vibration mode for extra sleep-incentive.
Bluetooth Enabled
By 2020, it almost seems absurd to have a baby gadget not be smartphone compatible. I don’t make the rules, baby product manufacturers. The market expects what it expects.
So, yes, this bassinet is Bluetooth enabled! Through the free 4moms app, you can switch between the 5 different motion options and pick your ideal sound. You will majorly appreciate this feature when you can adjust a setting on the bassinet and you don’t even have to get out of bed.
Pro tip: if you decide to remain loyal to 4moms, this app also can help you properly install the 4moms car seat and set up automatic notifications on when to adjust the headrest and harness as your child grows!
Built-In White Noise
When it comes to babies and sleeping, white noise is the ultimate tool. These calming sounds can remind babies of the comforting sounds they experienced in the womb. Likewise, the consistent sound can block household noises as the rest of you go about your business.
The bassinet has four different sound choices: rain, ocean, fan, shh. I feel that adults may find themselves drawn to the rain or ocean noises, but the “shh” noise is probably best for newborns. It’s a primal sound, that shush all parents do, and babies tend to respond positively to it.
Concerns About the Mamaroo Sleep Bassinet
Sides Can’t Be Lowered
A lot of bassinets on the market feature a drop-side that converts it into a side-sleeper. This is where the parent can have the bassinet flush against their bed and give them easy access to their child through the night.
For some, it can be comforting to be able to check on their baby without getting out of bed. On the other hand, it’s not a necessity. The safe sleep guidelines set by the AAP only recommend that the baby’s bassinet be in the parents’ room.
This concern boils down to personal preference. If having a bassinet that has a side-sleeper option is important to you, the Mamaroo is not for you. Meanwhile, some mothers may be uncomfortable with a lowered wall and would much rather have four upright boundaries to keep their baby snug and safe.
Not Portable (No Wheels)
When I heard about the lack of wheels on the Mamaroo sleep bassinet, I gave pause. I was recently reminded of my friend scrambling to find a second bassinet so she could have one in her bedroom and one in the living room. She explained that she wanted to save a trip at nap time.
For moms like my friend, a non-portable bassinet is a hassle. The Mamaroo sleep bassinet has no wheels and isn’t intended to move from room to room. It’s best to leave the bassinet in one room (preferably, your room, as per the AAP’s safe sleep guidelines).
However, if you plan on keeping a set sleep routine, including a designated room, then a bassinet without wheels with the best choice. This also means you won’t have to deal with any unexpected rolling if you bump into the bassinet in the middle of the night.
4-Hour Auto-Stop
The Mamaroo sleep bassinet’s motions and sounds will automatically shut off after 4 hours of use. The company assures this is not an issue, as most newborns will fall asleep within 4 hours and the shut-off will not disturb them.
The research and development team at 4moms has never met my son. Since birth, he has slept with a white noise machine in his room all night. To this day, if that white noise turns off, he will still wake up. This makes me wary of an auto-shutoff.
However, is this a deal-breaker? Not quite. After all, with a newborn, you’re going to be up every few hours for feedings anyway, so you can always restart the motions and sounds. It’s just important to be aware of the shutoff feature.
Price
There is no getting around it: this bassinet is not cheap. 4moms has established itself as a name worth its weight in gold, thanks to its popular infant seat. As such, fans are willing to pay the price for the Mamaroo quality (and for a good night’s sleep).
For a new parent, this price point may not be attainable at such an uncertain time. If you have your heart set on this bassinet, there is a monthly payment option.
The Mamaroo Sleep Bassinet vs The Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper
The HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper is a well-reviewed and well-loved baby bassinet. While it’s unassuming in looks, it’s capable of a 360-degree swivel and has a lowering sidewall. This especially appeals to mothers recovering from c-sections because it allows them to easily reach their babies without irritating their incisions.
This bassinet has a nightlight, vibration setting, and lullabies. It sits on a 4-legged base that can slide halfway under a bed for stability.
Undoubtedly, this is a useful bassinet. Still, it lacks the unique motions and Bluetooth capability that the Mamaroo boasts, despite being similar in price.
The Mamaroo Sleep Bassinet vs Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet
At this point, you may be thinking how much you’d like a Mamaroo bassinet, but you just aren’t sure if you can swing it with your budget. Listen, I understand; I haven’t figured out how to make money in my sleep yet either.
If you’d like a more affordable option, go with the Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet. This sleeper gently sways your baby to sleep, with optional projection lights and calming music and sounds. Also, it has an adorable little mobile!
FAQs About the Mamaroo Sleep Bassinet
Can a baby safely sleep overnight in the Mamaroo sleep bassinet?
Yes! The Mamaroo fits all the safe sleep regulations set by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Parents and babies can room-share but not bed-share.
- It provides the baby with a firm and flat sleep surface.
- There is only a fitted sheet – no loose bedding.
How long can babies sleep in the Mamaroo sleep bassinet?
The bassinet has a maximum weight limit of 25 pounds. Most babies hit that weight by 12 months old.
If your child can get up on their hands and knees before they reach 25 pounds though, you will have to transition them to another sleeping surface then.
Can you use standard bassinet sheets with the Mamaroo sleep bassinet?
The manufacturer does not recommend this because it may not create a tight and secure fit. In bassinets, the sheet needs to fit tightly to meet safe sleep guidelines.
However, a gray sheet comes with your bassinet purchase. For additional sheets, 4moms does sell their Mamaroo bassinet sheets separately.
Can the Bluetooth connectivity on the Mamaroo sleep bassinet be shut off?
Yes. If you’d rather not have the Bluetooth connectivity active because of health concerns, you can turn it off by holding down the vibration button for 10 seconds. After that, you can just control the bassinet manually with the buttons on the side panel.
Final Word
In conclusion, the mamaRoo Sleep Bassinet is a worthwhile investment if it’s within your budget. You just can’t beat the smart features included in this bassinet. Besides, the 5 motions of this bassinet are proven successful, how can you argue with that? You can’t put a price on a good night’s sleep.
