The First Years 5 in 1 Carry Me Near Sleep System, Cream
by Learning Curve
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List Price: Our Price: $150.03 Availability: Usually ships in 6-10 business days Buy Used: from $98.95 (click here) Category: Baby Product See more product details |
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Baby Products Reviews of The First Years 5 in 1 Carry Me Near Sleep System, Cream
Customer Review: Great bassinet, but some changes should be made
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this bassinet so that my son could sleep in my room for the first couple of months of his life, before he moves into his room and his crib. We shopped around and read reviews of a bunch of different bassinets, and we decided on this one. I was excited about its portability and the built-in changing table, and while I read that the bassinet portion did not attach to the rest of it, I also read that the changing-table straps could be used to secure it, and so I wasn't concerned. However, when it arrived, I found that the bassinet really does just rest in the changer, and the straps MUST be sort of wound around to attach it for the sake of safety. This makes the carrying portion of the bassinet and the changing table both extremely inconvenient to use, as I have to unfasten and unwind the straps each time I want to move it. It's just not worth the effort, and so I don't use either feature. I do not know why the company has not changed this. It would not be terribly difficult to create a way of securing the bassinet to the base that would be safe and easily detached for use. This is why I deducted a star.
Other than that, though, we have no complaints. The bassinet is right next to the bed so that I do not have to get up to feed my son in the middle of the night. I love that the height was adjustable because it allowed me to create a co-sleeping type experience without having the baby in the bed. However, I would say that my bed is quite tall and the bassinet had to be set on the lowest setting, so I can see how it would be too tall for some people's beds. I have not had the problems that other people have expressed in their reviews: my bassinet is level, and the bassinet bottom feels very flat and sturdy to me, with no dipping or caving. Although the mattress is quite firm, my son has no trouble sleeping on it, and he seems comfortable. He doesn't really look at the hanging decorations, but I like that I can put the hood of the bassinet up or down, which helps keep the light from his eyes. My son also doesn't appear to like the vibration or the sounds, but they work well.
Additional sheets can be purchased from The Learning Curve for a very reasonable $5 per sheet plus $2 shipping per order. Overall, the bassinet has more frills than we needed, and the company should change some things, but we're still very pleased with our purchase, and would recommend it to anyone.
Customer Review: Wouldn't buy again
Summary: 3 Stars
This looked like a great product for the price. I'm not going to list the things I do like about it, because nothing special comes to mind and the manufacturer's description talks about it enough. My baby isn't even born yet, but I don't think I'd buy this again, for the following reasons:
1. I opened the box and could find NO instructions. I finally gave up searching -- the only place they could be was something I couldn't figure out how to open without instructions -- and found some on their website instead. The first vague step told you to open push some tabs to open the carrier portion, which I finally found, and sure enough, the instructions had been locked inside the folded carrier, which I never would've figured out how to open without instructions. SERIOUSLY FRUSTRATING!
2. The remaining instructions were a bit less vague, though a few steps did make me wish I had about six hands. I did manage to complete it without calling for my boyfriend's help, though.
3. The pictures and instructions claim that there is a pocket for diaper-changing accessories. Mine has no such pocket. Not a huge deal for me, but still -- NOT as advertised.
4. By far my biggest issue with this thing is the wheels. First, because of the rocking feature, it is built with the bars making the whole thing MUCH wider than it would be otherwise, and even though my apartment has *wider* doors than normal, it's still a pain to move around because there are a lot of turns, some of them more than 90 degrees. This is complicated by the fact that the wheels are crappy plastic and don't turn well in the first place; by the fact that it's easy to accidentally lock the wheels so they don't turn at all (though it's sometimes hard to tell if they're locked anyway because the wheels turn so poorly in the first place); and by the fact that only two of the wheels are casters -- the others are fixed and do not swivel. So basically, the wheels are completely worthless, and in order to move it around, I have to shove/drag/lift the whole thing. I suspect this will get old fast, but I'm not sure what else I can do.
Overall, this item is far less mobile than I'd hoped. I probably should have returned it immediately.
Customer Review: Everything but the kitchen sink!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am very happy with the "Carry Me Near Sleep" Bassinet!
I found it was easy to assemble if you are willing to follow the directions and go step-by-step. It took me less than a half hour, and the only reason it took me THAT long was because of my own mistakes, rather than poor directions. each piece is sturdy and secure... which is a must for any baby product. Once assembled is looks very nice and high quality, especially considering the price. I was truly astonished by how easily the basket part of the bassinet can be taken on and off of the "changing table base" ... but when it is clipped in it really is very stable and sturdy. the vibrations are very soothing, and I am sure baby will love them (i wanted to climb right in) and I am sure that the sounds will be nice as well. They are not all loud and shrill as most baby swing's sounds are, which i think is wonderful because they don't need to be so loud when the baby is sleeping. the nightlight on the handle will be wonderful for those middle of the night diaper changes!
lets see... cons: the pockets for diaper changing supplies were nowhere to be found on this bassinet. They are no big loss though considering that the basket below is plenty big to hold diaper stuff. The highest setting is REALLY tall... so one of the two lowest setting are probably best for an "average" height bed if you plan to use this like a co-sleeper. However... I can see why it has such a high setting because it would be PERFECT height at the highest setting (at least for me at 5'5" if you use the changing table part a lot! I did have a bit of confusion finding the release for the handle of the carrier (it is on the inside edge of the basket and the button may be covered by the fabric).
I am so excited to use the carrier because it will work great for taking baby upstairs and downstairs without disturbing their sleep too much. I had a very "standard" no frills bassinet for me first daughter, and this one, for nearly the same cost has more bells and whistles and greater functionality than anyone could ask for! Additionally, it doesn't detract from the sturdiness and quality of the bassinet!
Customer Review: Very happy with it!
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall I am very happy with the bassinet, so I am giving it 4 stars. It does have a few flaws, so it didn't receive a full 5 stars from me.
I picked this out at my local Babies R Us store. I liked the features it advertised, and it was the most attactive bassinet. Very pretty and modern looking.
What I like best about the bassinet is that it has the breathable mesh sides. Just be sure to place your baby in the middle of the bed, or she could have her face pressed against the steel bar frame. I tuck the ruffle into the hood while it is closed, so I can see her face as the bassinet lies next to my bed. Forget the "bedside sleeper" feature, all it is a silly piece of fabric you tuck between the bassinet and your bed, you don't need it.
I thought the music was a little loud for a newborn, even on the lowest setting, so I put a clear piece of packing tape over it, to lesson it a bit.
I agree with other reviewers about the mattress being too thin, but my baby is 4 weeks old and she will likely be only using it another month or two, so I will leave it. The mattress does sag a bit in the middle as well, and the horizontal bar seems a little uncomfortable for her.
One thing I didn't understand about the bed is the strap in unit. I assume it is for when you have the baby in the activity mode, but what about when she is sleeping? Do people actually strap in their sleeping baby? I undid it the best I could, then put her mattress over it.
I use the Koala baby brand sheets found at Babies R Us, so sheet changes haven't been a problem. I also use a waterproof pad in case she spits up. I've never used the diaper changer, I just lie her on the bed.
I think our bed is pretty high, and her bed is on the lowest setting, and it is still slightly higher than I would want.
One last feature I don't like is how the carry bar doesn't recline. If I rock her to sleep in my bed, then want to lie her down, I have to get out of bed, then turn her around. The bar prevents me from doing it while in bed. Overall, the mesh sides, nightlight, rocking feature, and music are all worht it, and it is so pretty.
Customer Review: ALMOST Perfect!
Summary: 4 Stars
First impression of the bassinet was how pretty it is. After I started using it then I really loved it! When my daughter was first born and would begin to stir awake I could press the vibration and put the heartbeat sound on and she would fall back asleep for at least 30 minutes! That's a big deal in the first few weeks. Since then when I put her down in it for a nap I use the vibration and the different nature noises and she really seems to be soothed by it. I enjoy it too! When I'm falling asleep next to it and the nature sounds suddenly stop I realize how relaxed it had been making ME! The nightlight is really great too, it is not at all harsh, my baby hasn't once squinted her eyes because of it. Also this bassinet is great because you can bring it anywhere in the house with you. I take it from my bedroom into the living room easily, every single day. The only complaint about that is the carrying handle doesn't move so you have to maneuver around it to get your baby in and out, which can result in them waking up. Not a big deal to maneuver when they're tiny but now my daughter is 22inches and 10.5lbs and it's hard to place her down in there as smoothly as I'd like. The actual biggest disappointment for me at first was that even though the stand has a few height adjustments, none were low enough for my bed, so I couldn't see straight into the bassinet like I wanted to (needed to!!) when she slept beside me at night. To remedy that I place the bassinet on an autimen at the correct level next to my bed and I leave the stand it came with in my living room to use during the day for naps. That works out just fine. I don't know what I would have done with out this bassinet. Couldn't have done without it! Still can't. It's very useful and I use it several times every day. One last thing I wish now about it that was different are the soft colors. Although they are very kind to my eyes, babies love bright bold colors! I know she'd be more entertained if the bassinet were in those bright bold colors instead of neutral ones.