Reviews

Baby Product Reviews

Honest, real-mom experiences with sleepers, bassinets, and the gear that gets you through those newborn months.

A soft, sunlit nursery corner with a pale neutral bassinet, gentle cream blankets, and warm morning light filtering through sheer curtains

Graco Rock 'n Play Sleeper

Posted — When Mateo arrived in February 2013, the sleep setup looked different than it had with the older kids. With Lucas, the Pack 'N Play had done the job for a full year, and the Moses Bassinet that had worked for Sophia and Nicholas ended up in storage. This time around, the Rock 'n Play Sleeper was the new addition worth trying.

The compact, inclined design made it easy to keep Mateo close by, and the gentle rocking motion helped soothe him during those early weeks. Compared to a traditional bassinet, it was lighter to move from room to room — a real plus when juggling three other children.

A close-up of a baby sleeper with soft gray fabric and a gentle incline, resting on a light wood floor in a bright, airy room

Other Sleep Gear We've Used

Tried & True

Pack 'N Play

A reliable workhorse. Lucas slept in one for his entire first year in our room. It's versatile enough to double as a travel crib and play yard, and it held up beautifully through multiple moves.

Family Favorite

Moses Bassinet

Used with both Sophia and Nicholas, this was our go-to for the earliest newborn stage. Lightweight and portable, it fit right beside the bed and made those middle-of-the-night feedings a little easier.

New Addition

Graco DuetSoothe Swing & Rocker

A two-in-one option that caught our eye — it works as both a swing and a portable rocker, giving parents flexibility when moving between rooms or calming a fussy baby.

Tips for Managing Sleep with Multiple Kids

With four children — Lucas, Sophia, Nicholas, and newborn Mateo — sleep arrangements became a bit of a puzzle. Here's what worked for us in those early months of 2013:

  • Keep the newest baby close. Having Mateo in our room with the Rock 'n Play meant we could respond quickly without disturbing the older kids.
  • Rotate gear based on the stage. What works for a newborn won't necessarily work at six months. We moved from the Moses Bassinet to the Pack 'N Play as each baby grew.
  • Don't be afraid to try something new. We'd never used a Rock 'n Play before Mateo, and it turned out to be a great fit for our situation.
  • Let go of one-size-fits-all. Each of our kids had different preferences, and being flexible made all the difference.
A bright, airy children's bedroom with two wooden beds, soft pastel bedding, and gentle sunlight streaming through a window

More from the Family

Read about birthdays, anniversaries, and everyday moments with Jos and the kids.

Family Stories