Being a new parent is never easy. The struggles go on endlessly, including sleep deprivation, fatigue, and tiredness, from hearing cries for long hours. At some point, every parent almost reaches the stage where they have to decide which baby sleeping device is best: a patting device or a rocking bassinet.
Both promise the same outcome: to make the baby fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. However, both of them work in different ways for different babies. For some, a baby patting pillow works wonders. For others, the rocking bassinet works better.
So, which one should you choose? Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision with confidence.
A patting device is a small and portable device somewhat similar to a plush toy. You can attach this device to your baby via a belt to the crib mattress or around their waist. It delivers a gentle and rhythmic tapping motion against your baby’s chest or back.
Some baby patting device models also include built-in noise, adjustable speed settings, and rechargeable batteries. The aim behind creating this device is to create the sensation of a parent’s hand patting a baby’s back. Most babies find this motion comforting because it resembles the touch and motion of being held.
As a new parent, it is never easy to multitask while holding your baby all the time. Thus, you need a patting device to calm your baby first and then deal with some chores back at home. Let us have a look at some reasons for purchasing a baby patting pillow:
This infant sleeping device is easy to carry around anywhere you want. They are small, lightweight, and battery-powered. From homes to shopping malls to your friend’s place—I mean, everywhere. So, you can carry your patting device wherever your baby goes. In fact, many parents end up owning two. One for their homes and another for their diaper bag. It makes their time with their baby much more joyful.
Spending time with your baby means spending a considerable amount of time patting their back or chest. As a parent, being attentive to such repeated motions is tiring apart from burping or settling. For babies who are especially more inclined to touch-based soothing, a patting device is a hands-on device. In the first month of life, almost 95% of babies will wake up at night, with a day-night sleeping pattern beginning at around 2 months. Some devices may have white noise included in them to help your babies relax and fall asleep.
Compared to a rocking bassinet, the baby patting device for sleep is cheaper. They are best for homes with small or limited spaces.
Some babies prefer only their bassinets or cribs back at home. They don’t prefer to fall asleep at their grandparents’ homes or any other place. The results? You may spend the entire night quieting down your baby. If you want your baby to sleep well, irrespective of where you are, a patting device is the best option.
A rocking bassinet is a stationary or semi-stationary sleeping space. You can gently rock, sway, or bounce the entire bassinet slowly or repetitively, or choose an electric one. Some of the latest versions have sensors that detect when your baby is crying and automatically increase its motion, while others run on simple and programmable settings.
Some babies often tend to calm down in a moving car seat or stroller or when bounced on a shoulder. The rocking bassinets provide the same motion. They provide a full-body bouncing sensation in a safe and contained sleeping space. The best part? You need no one to physically rock your baby around for the time being.
The initial months of being a new parent are filled with days of no sleep. The problem further arises when your baby is completely accustomed to full-swing motions. To take a nap for a while or have a meal with no worries about what your baby is doing now, a rocking bassinet is a must. It keeps your baby safe with continuous motion without any parental intervention.
It is not true for all bassinets except the advanced ones with the latest technology. Some of the models tend to detect when a baby cries and respond with increased repeated motion. It is very similar to what you do when your baby cries out of the blue, and you have to make them fall asleep again.
Rocking bassinets cost more than a patting device. They take up significant space in your home.
As the babies grow older, they will outgrow the bassinet, which was a part of their daily lives. It means you are making a short-term investment with a real expiration date.
Once your babies get highly dependent on the rocking motion all the time, it becomes a challenge to break their habit. You cannot take the bassinet everywhere or transition your baby to a crib later on.
As a parent, observe your baby first and ask, "Does my baby respond well to touch-based soothing or motion-based soothing?" If your baby calms down quickly during back-patting, burping sessions, or skin-to-skin contact, then a baby-patting pillow may be your choice. What if your baby calms down during car rides, stroller walks, or when bounced? Go for the rocking bassinet.
The final decision is yours. Regardless of which sleeping device you choose, ensure your baby sleeps on a firm and flat surface. Consult a pediatrician if you have any concerns about their sleeping habits or soothing device. Sleepy Baby is there to help you with its baby patting pillow device. Visit our official website now to place your order.
Yes, a good-quality infant sleeping device is safe for your baby. In most of the cases, they follow AAP safe-sleep guidelines and the manufacturer’s instructions. You can opt for Sleepy Baby’s baby sleeping aid with adjustable straps, a patting pillow, and a white noise machine.
A baby-patting device generally uses touch-based and gentle tapping to soothe your baby. A rocking bassinet, on the other hand, uses a full-body movement. If you compare the two, patting devices are more portable, compact, and budget-friendly for traveling and smaller spaces.
Yes, absolutely you can. Unlike the heavy bassinets, a baby patting pillow device is lightweight and battery-operated. You can easily pack it in your diaper bag and use it in strollers, on travel cots, or during visits to grandma’s house to follow your baby’s sleep routine.
