TTMA swings vs RNP vs bouncers

[river]

I've tried to read old threads but I think I'm overexposed at this point, or it's baby brain, because I feel like I'm missing something. I registered for two RNPs, as they've come up in multiple places as a multiples must-have. Do I need swings and bouncers, too? Our sleep/nap plan at this point is to have either the pack and plays in our room and RNPs downstairs (or have one PNP on each floor). I know they are also helpful for times when you need to shower or just not hold a baby.

Here's my dumb FTM understanding. Each have their own function, swinging, bouncing/vibrating, and rocking, and each is has a max weight of 20-25 pounds. All seem to warn against using after baby would be able to push themselves out of it. 

Should I try to pick up a swing and bouncer used just to have in case one or both don't like the RNP? Is there some other feature or benefit I'm missing? 

[jd]

I live in a community of awesome mothers who keep giving away stuff free, so I've cycled through 2 bouncers, 2 RnPs, and 1 swing. My kids practically lived in their bouncers in the early days, but they outgrew them very quickly and we switched them to RnPs, so I'm not sure I would spend money on bouncers if I were you. If your RnPs rock automatically, a swing may not be necessary either. Ours didn't have an automatic rocker, so we've found the swing super useful for that purpose, but I know many babies just never take to swings. We took a very minimalist approach to buying things for the kids initially, and I'm glad we did because babies' stuff can get expensive and take up a lot of room. It'd be super annoying to spend time and money getting things they hate, and you can always get things later if you think you need them.

[dke2010]

We use the RNPs most of the time, but I like the swing and bouncer for variety. We have 2 RNPs, 1 swing, and 1 bouncer.

[richzep]

Rock n play over here as well.
My kids hated the swings for some odd reason. It made me happy that they were hand me downs and not bought because they cried and cried and then I just gave them away.
I used the bouncers but I wouldn't have bought them myself. It kind of came in handy as a second place to put the kids. Not vital but kind of glad it was around. I only ever used one at a time.
You want to purchase sit me ups for sure. They lay flat when not in use and kids love them more. I think you can start using from month 2 on.
Also activity mats are better than just a place to set them down (bouncers, etc). More to look at. More to do. Which equals less fussiness.

[schmella]

We used RnPs for sleep almost exclusively. We had a pair of ConvertMe compact swings that were supposed to double as bouncers, but weighed WAY too much to function that way. My kids loved their swings.
I'm all for registering for all of the things, opening one to try it out and a second as needed, then returning what you don't want.
Sit Me Ups for around 4 months- worth every penny.
Do you have pets? If so, BUY A SUPER YARD. Right away. Mine were totally content on their playmat/gyms but I was so anxious about the dogs accidentally stepping on a baby or the cat sitting on one- it allowed my pets to interact with the kids at their own pace without me being an anxious mess and I truly believe it is the reason my dogs and kids are so good together.

[pbandj714]

We used the RnPs for sleep. They stayed upstairs in our room. Downstairs we had 1 swing and 1 bouncer. When they were tiny, they didn't mind either of them. As they got older, they by far preferred the bouncer over the swing and I wished I had 2. It will all end up being personal preference, but I'd recommend getting a little bit of everything to see what works for you and them.

[kate61487]

We used the RnPs in our room for overnight sleep. We had a graco glider and a traditional swing downstairs. They're very different movements and while L was good with either S only liked the swing. The glider was cool in that the seat came out/off and was a bouncer.

Most of the time I had the kids on the floor on one of the activity mats (I was all about LOTS of tummy time and tried to avoid the use of 'devices' whenever possible). DH used the bouncer quite a bit if one was napping he'd take the other in the bouncer to do laundry or dishes. I just didn't do laundry or dishes unless they were both sleeping :-P

We also used the bouncer to lay out the towel after baths so it was a quick transfer from warm water into the towel and bundled up without putting the towel and/or baby on the floor.

And honestly my kids are 1yo, 25 and 30 lbs, and we still used the swing as recently as last month when they were sick and we were just having a really rough time with naps. The RnPs were a must have for the early days, but they were packed up as soon as the boys started rolling.

[schmella]

@wineandcupcakes, this is the one we have:
www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13193080&gclid=Cj0KEQiAzZHEBRD0ivi9_pDzgYMBEiQAtvxt-GiOUqm3i2JDWLkJkCN1ErLobwbWPeCARexojfRx7KwaAohg8P8HAQ&camp=PLAPPCG-_-PID13357322:BRUS&cagpspn=plab_13357322&eESource=CAPLA_DF:13193080:TRUS

It is available as an 8 panel- if you have the space for it, I would get it. Its big enough to sit in it with both babies on activity mats/play gyms. We liked that the dogs could approach, see, sniff babies without being forced into an interaction- they were able to develop relationships organically which I think really made a difference. When the babies were tiny, it protected them. When they started moving more, it protected the dogs! Now we use it to a) contain toys to one centralized spot, at least for a little while, and b) contain the crazy toddlers should I need to pee, or while I'm taking one to the car (no way am I getting locked out, @feegan!)

[river]

schmella and @wineandcupcakes, we did register for one after reading some dog and baby tips. Your approach sounds like the way I do new foster dog introductions and makes so much sense!!

richzep, since writing this post I have a used swing coming my way! I was on a roll yesterday, posting and texting people.I think the used approach is best, and I can always order a second if both end up liking it.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

[requiressnacks]

Mine sleep in RnPs in our room. However, I will add that I have some serious regret about using them for sleep now because the babies outright REFUSE to sleep on a flat surface (at 10 weeks). In hindsight, I wish I used something flat for sleeping like a bassinet or pack n play.

I am very happy we have 2 bouncers because I sometimes like to sit on the floor and feed them in them. We usually eithe feed in the bouncers or the TwinZ.

My babies are kind of ambivalent to the swings. We have 2, but one never gets used.

[piccyami]

We have 2 bouncers, 2 rockers (turn into toddler rockers), 2 swings, and 2 pack n plays. We used one pack n play in our room for the first few weeks, and we're just now getting to where they don't like the bouncers. We definitely didn't buy all of that ourselves and we're running out of room for baby stuff. We're not ready to give up the swings just yet, but W was very ready for a jumperoo. We also have the floor mats for them to play with placed strategically around the house.

But yeah, keep an eye on the number of big things you have. Our families insisted that we needed two of everything (not all new), so we're constantly shuffling things around in order to make things fit in our large-ish living room.

[kate61487]

This probably won't help requiressnacks at this point (sorry!) But to her point we made sure the babies only slept in the RnPs at bedtime. Naps were on the floor, in the crib, or being held. In those early days they could just pass out on their playmat when they were tired and I think making them nap flat made me feel better about using the RnPs at night in terms of flat spot or torticollis risk.

[requiressnacks]

Jan 24, 2017 15:43:33 GMT -5 kate61487 said:

This probably won't help requiressnacks at this point (sorry!) But to her point we made sure the babies only slept in the RnPs at bedtime. Naps were on the floor, in the crib, or being held. In those early days they could just pass out on their playmat when they were tired and I think making them nap flat made me feel better about using the RnPs at night in terms of flat spot or torticollis risk.

I'm going to need a support group when I move the babies to their cribs. 😬😬😬

[schmella]

HeyMrsPotter, I had the same concerns. My 70lb American bulldog mix is super curious, slobbery, and also has no idea how big and doofy he is. It was actually a nice way for them to check on the babies without being all over them. They could DEFINITELY kiss the crap out of the babies- we had no immune concerns and our pediatrician was a "fan of exposure" so we didn't mind? I think the taller ones would have been a disaster- they would have been trying to see them, jumping up, etc.
with all the baby stuff, we set up and left it out before we had the babies. Turned on the noisy stuff, banged things around, set up auto rockers so they could get used to it. We used a spray bottle with stuff we wanted them to stay away from

[dke2010]

Thanks to richzep and schmella we are now the proud owners of 2 sit me ups. Bring on the baby gear!

[requiressnacks]

I got the Sit me Ups too! Mine are still in the box. What age did you start using them?

Another gear question....when did you guys start using activity bouncers? I would love to start doing things that don't involve being horizontal. Flat heads over here!

[richzep]

Jan 24, 2017 21:16:15 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

I got the Sit me Ups too! Mine are still in the box. What age did you start using them?

Another gear question....when did you guys start using activity bouncers? I would love to start doing things that don't involve being horizontal. Flat heads over here!

I'm told around 5 months but I started putting the twins in more upright things around 3 months and propped them up really well and safely.

[schmella]

Jan 24, 2017 21:16:15 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

I got the Sit me Ups too! Mine are still in the box. What age did you start using them?

Another gear question....when did you guys start using activity bouncers? I would love to start doing things that don't involve being horizontal. Flat heads over here!

Sit me ups around 4m I think? When they're holding their heads up and wanted to sit but still needed trunk support.

Activity bouncers as in jumperoo type things? We had one that I really used sparingly. I had concerns about proper hip development and most OT/PTs agree that they are not very beneficial- BUT damn they are effective at entertaining and containing a baby! In reality, we probably would have used it more but they were so small that they didn't fit it right until they were pulling up on their own. We got WAY MORE use out of an activity table and used the sit me ups for what most people use the bouncers for

[pbandj714]

HeyMrsPotter, we have a boxer, and she did really well with the babies in their RnPs. When they were tiny she could just barely reach her head in to sniff them. She'd always check on them walking by but never tried to jump up or anything since they were at eye-level.

requiressnacks, we started using the jumperoos at about 6 months because that's when they were finally tall enough to reach the floor.

[piccyami]

HeyMrsPotter, Our mini aussie loves being able to check them out in the swings (no rnps here) because they're just at nose level for her. She still likes to lick them (all. the. time.) and we're really trying to curb it, but she's very gentle with them.

requiressnacks, We just started using the jumperoos this week (4 months) because they're interested and big enough to reach the floor. We're definitely only using them for a few minutes at a time right now. They're basically replacing the bouncer for W since he likes to death roll out of everything (fell out of a bouncer, nearly rolled out of his swing, he's always strapped in now).

[lotusbee]

Jan 24, 2017 16:30:30 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Jan 24, 2017 15:43:33 GMT -5 kate61487 said:

This probably won't help requiressnacks at this point (sorry!) But to her point we made sure the babies only slept in the RnPs at bedtime. Naps were on the floor, in the crib, or being held. In those early days they could just pass out on their playmat when they were tired and I think making them nap flat made me feel better about using the RnPs at night in terms of flat spot or torticollis risk.

I'm going to need a support group when I move the babies to their cribs. 😬😬😬

We had this issue with my now 17 month old! All naps and night sleep happened in the RNP. He had colic and we were desperate. He refused to nap in the crib or anywhere flat until we started using the Merlin sleep suit for the transition. So there's hope! He was STTN at 4 months in a flat crib.

Hoping with the twins to sleep flat at night and I'm RNP's at nap time... we'll see 😉

[requiressnacks]

Jan 28, 2017 7:46:56 GMT -5 lotusbee said:

Jan 24, 2017 16:30:30 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

I'm going to need a support group when I move the babies to their cribs. 😬😬😬

We had this issue with my now 17 month old! All naps and night sleep happened in the RNP. He had colic and we were desperate. He refused to nap in the crib or anywhere flat until we started using the Merlin sleep suit for the transition. So there's hope! He was STTN at 4 months in a flat crib.

Hoping with the twins to sleep flat at night and I'm RNP's at nap time... we'll see 😉

Thanks! When did you start the transition?

[lotusbee]

Jan 28, 2017 8:29:35 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Jan 28, 2017 7:46:56 GMT -5 lotusbee said:

We had this issue with my now 17 month old! All naps and night sleep happened in the RNP. He had colic and we were desperate. He refused to nap in the crib or anywhere flat until we started using the Merlin sleep suit for the transition. So there's hope! He was STTN at 4 months in a flat crib.

Hoping with the twins to sleep flat at night and I'm RNP's at nap time... we'll see 😉

Thanks! When did you start the transition?

Our hands were forced at 3 months since my baby was (and is) a giant and too big for the RNP at that point. The sleep suit did NOT make him sleep through the night immediately, but it helped him sleep flat and self soothe almost immediately. It was our best friend!

[requiressnacks]

Jan 28, 2017 8:44:22 GMT -5 lotusbee said:

Jan 28, 2017 8:29:35 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Thanks! When did you start the transition?

Our hands were forced at 3 months since my baby was (and is) a giant and too big for the RNP at that point. The sleep suit did NOT make him sleep through the night immediately, but it helped him sleep flat and self soothe almost immediately. It was our best friend!

Thanks! We are coming up on 3 months on 2/8 and I'm heading back to work 3/1 so I was hoping to start soon.

[dke2010]

requiressnacks I just started using the sit me ups at 4 months. The girls love sitting but tire quickly so I don't keep them in for very long yet.