With a much longer life span than your standard baby rocker or bouncer, the Fisher-Price Newborn-To-Toddler Portable Rocker is also easy to transport and store. While the look is child appealing, it may not be to every parent’s taste.
As its name suggests, the Fisher-Price Newborn-To-Toddler Portable Rocker puts a new spin on the baby rocker, that popular purchase for new parents everywhere. Unlike most models, it has an extended lifespan that allows the rocker to be used for older toddlers as well as sleepy infants. The rocker can be used until your child weighs 18kg or 40lbs.
Part of the Precious Planet Blue Sky Collection, its bright colourful jungle design is classic Fisher-Price, and will instantly appeal to little ones. The smooth rocking action, battery-powered vibrate function and the fact it folds up all add to its appeal.
What we love
Forking out for baby items that are redundant a few weeks or months later might seem par for the course for new parents, but it doesn't have to be that way. It's really refreshing to see a roomy bouncer that can be used beyond those first few months.
The Fisher-Price Newborn-To-Toddler Portable Rocker was fairly easy to assemble from the flat-packed parts. Once assembled, it felt sturdy and straightforward to move into different positions. The manual rocking action was great, and if you or your baby would rather it didn't rock, it quickly and conveniently converts into a static seat, thanks to pull-down supports on all four corners.
To use the Fisher-Price Newborn-To-Toddler Portable Rocker as a fully reclined seat, which is ideal for newborns who need to lie fairly flat, you just release a buckle at the back of the seat. For older babies and toddlers, the chair can be converted to a more upright seat by simply pressing two clearly marked buttons on the back to slide out the frame and shorten or extend it as you wish.
I especially liked the way the Fisher-Price Newborn-To-Toddler Portable Rocker folded up, meaning you can store or transport it easily - two yellow clips release the seat back and enable it to be tucked underneath.
The Fisher-Price Newborn-To-Toddler Portable Rocker has a vibrate button, which as all new parents know, can be invaluable for helping fractious newborns get to sleep.
The Fisher-Price Newborn-To-Toddler Portable Rocker also comes with a toy bar, featuring a cute rattling monkey and hippo, which is great for stimulating your baby's senses with 'bat-play'.
Finally the large cheerful print of a lion on the seat definitely got my son's vote – he smiled and 'roared' as soon as he saw it!
What to watch out for
The idea of a chair for toddlers is fantastic, but if your toddler is on the lively or energetic side he may not wish to be buckled into this seat using the 3-point harness. That said, after some initial protests my toddler did love being rocked in it - and he also loved rocking his teddies in it!
The Fisher-Price Newborn-To-Toddler Portable Rocker is lovely and bright, but the combination of green plastic frame and bright blue nylon seat is definitely aimed more at kids than their parents' decorating scheme.
Who is the Fisher-Price Newborn-To-Toddler Portable Rocker best for?
Parents after a baby seat that rocks, vibrates, folds and can be used for a decent length of time.
MadeForMums verdict
A longstanding expert in its field, Fisher-Price has clearly thought hard about what parents want from a rocker. The extended lifespan for toddler use, bright design, portability factor, toy bar and vibrate function all add up to a rocker that offers added value. Whether you will really use the Fisher-Price Newborn-To-Toddler Portable Rocker for your toddler is debatable, though it is great to have the option.
