A calm baby is a sleeping baby
Written: Jan 02 '03 (Updated Jan 26 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Volume control, Calming, Encourages sleep not play
Cons: Babies can't change options
The Bottom Line: A crib toy designed to wind them down instead of up. Suitable for a boy or girl and should keep their interest for a full year or more.
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| xyzwyatt's Full Review: Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium |
My daughter received this as a gift which is nice because I probably wouldn't have purchased a $30 toy plus $10 worth of batteries for an infant toy. However, this may be worth the money because it is versatile and should last and be enjoyed for a couple years.
Compared to other crib toys...
This is a lot better than other hanging crib toys. My last baby had several toys that hung on the crib and at 2AM in the morning she would start playing with them which woke everyone up because they were very loud! This is also loud, BUT it has a volume control so you can set it to a quiet level when you want to get some sleep.
Typical crib toys have flashing lights which are great for entertaining, but if their in the crib they need to be sleeping! The Ocean Wonders Aquarium does not have flashing lights. It has a relaxing glowing light (which can also be turned completely off if chosen).
The music isn't the typical kid music. I would consider it more like an electric string made by a synthesizer. It is the type of music you would hear on an adult relaxation CD. This is great because they're suppose to be sleeping, not grooving to happy music.
The music plays for 5-10 minutes at a time which is particularly nice for the babies that aren't old enough to press the button yet. I know I had to stand there forever winding the crib mobile because that only lasts a minute.
The Ocean Wonders Aquarium is also free standing so you can also use it as a toy. If your baby is really attached to the toy you could sit it on a table and she could hear it from her playpen or wherever she naps.
Appearance
This has an attractive appearance. It would blend nicely with most nursery bedding since it's mostly white and is suitable for boys or girls. It is fairly heavy as a toy, especially with batteries in it.
This is a Fisher Price toy and is made as well as their other toys. It is very sturdy, would be very hard to break, and has child safety in mind.
Getting it to do stuff
Clam opens when ball on lower left is touched
Star fish spins when baby presses lower right lever
Starts and stops easily when lower middle blue button is pressed.
Setting 1 on top - Music, lights, bubbles, and fish swimming
Setting 2 on top - Music and lights
Setting 3 - Music only
Setting 4 - off
Button in the top middle - changed song
Volume - adjustable volume, can go pretty loud.
Batteries
This takes batteries, what doesn't! It requires 4 D batteries (not included) and a Phillips screw driver to open the battery compartment. The more this is used, the more batteries it will use. I use the rechargeable batteries in it. The more you use the bubbles and lights, the more juice it will use.
Fisher-Price claims to development:
- Promotes relaxation and sense of security.
- Watching lights, bubbles, and moving fish stimulates visual skills.
- Strengthens auditory skills with aquatic sounds and soothing music.
- Pressing lever and rollerball enhances fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination.
My Experience
Even with all the bells and whistles of this expensive crib toy, my infant daughter prefered the radio and her pooh mobile. Still, she enjoys looking at the aquarium but she wan't quite old enough to fully get into it. She prefered the bubbles more than anything at that age. Bubble mode makes a lot more noise and only plays for 5 minutes instead of 10. I wish the bubbles were 10 minutes long too.
As supspected, she enjoyed this even more as she grew. When she became able to stand in her crib she was able to turn it on for herself. I turn it on when I put her in the crib because there's a little light that gives her a chance (5 min) to unwind and play with her other toys.
Now that she's about 18 months she no longer pays attention she has pretty much outgrown it. It can now be used as a toy outside of the crib.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Gift
Type of Toy: Baby Toy
Age Range of Child: 0 to 12 Months
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Epinions.com ID:
xyzwyatt
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Location: Nashville, TN
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