if you have the fisher price ocean wonders aquarium crib toy...

[Anonymous]

We've only had it a few weeks. At first it would run (music, lights and fishies) for about 10 minutes before shutting off, but it jsut started shutting off after about 3. Anyone have this problem? I cant imagine it's the batteries, since it's so new. How long is it supposed to run? The package says 'up to 18 mins', but maybe that is if you only have music?

[Anonymous]

In our case, it was the batteries. They lasted no time at all. We replaced them once and they lasted maybe a day or two with minimal use, then conked out. It was easier to assemble the whole crib than get that thing on and off, so we've just given up.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm ours is still going after 3 monts, although we don't turn it on when DD goes to bed - she turns it on as she is falling asleep sometimes so it isn't on all the time. Do you have the one with the remote? Ours does make this really annoying gear clicking/thumping noise though!

[Anonymous]

My toddler is using an older version that his now-6-year-old sister used, so this might not apply. But what we do is keep it on just music, not lights or bubbly sounds, and the batteries last a LOT longer.

[Anonymous]

OP here - yes, the one with the remote, and ours makes the annoying clicking too, when the fish's tail moves. I'll try to switch the batteries. The thing is so bright, I dont want to turn it back on once it goes off because I'm afraid it will make DS more alert just as he's dozing off. I just need it to go for 10 minutes! He got really used to going to sleep with a moving mobile, but now that he's reaching for the birds on it, we have to take it off so he doesn't pull it down onto himself.

[Anonymous]

I have one, but it is from 2007 or 2008 (no remote) and it works fine and we've only changed the batteries once, maybe twice?

[Anonymous]

I have the one w/ the remote. I feel like we barely used it (DS is only 9 weeks, and hasn't seemed interested, so it's only come on either by accident or the few times I tried it, and only played through maybe 4 times). Anyway, our batteries went kaput a few days ago.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like maybe you got a defective one. Try to write the company or something. We have one that we use all the time. It does go for 18 min with the fish moving, lights and music. We change the batteries like every other month but we use it every night and then lord knows how many times she pushes it after we leave the room.

[Anonymous]

I have the one without remote, the batteries last at least a few months on mine and we use it every night. I put it on the setting with music and lights with no bubbles maybe this helps to conserve the batteries. I would take tours back, get the one with no remote, the no bubble setting lasts about 10 minutes and then when they are able they can start it up again themselves.

[Anonymous]

I have the crib mobile and I have the same issue, dies out after very little battery use.

[Anonymous]

Probably the batteries. Did it come w/ batteries? A lot of times there are "sample" batteries in toys that don't last long at all.

As far as keeping the baby up, etc...here's my experience, FWIW. I would sometimes turn on the sounds (rain, waves, etc) especially for naps. But I was always worried about the Ferber rule (not making the baby dependent on something, like music or rocking, because then when the baby wakes up at 3 a.m., he'll want the same thing).

So I didn't use it all that much when my little guy was swaddled.

At some point, around 8 or 9 months I think, he started turning it on himself. Now, at 16 months, he will always turn it on when he gets into his crib, sometimes even stand up and change the song, turn the lights on or off, etc. And then he just settles down and goes to sleep. Sometimes in the middle of the night I'll hear him turn it on through the monitor. And in the mornings, when he wakes up, he turns it on and hangs out in his crib for 10 - 20 minutes before I get him.

So, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Fisher Price Aquarium. I do have the change the batteries every couple of weeks, though.

[Anonymous]

we got ours in 2007. It's fantastic, our toddler still uses it. The batteries run out VERY quick if the bubbles are on, so we try to keep it on just sound & lights. But I do feel like we still change the batteries every week or two anyways. It runs for about 18 mins or so, and DD will just turn it on at night and put herself back to sleep with it. We love it. We call it "fish tv".

[Anonymous]

Mine came with dead batteries.

[Anonymous]

I am thinking about getting this but using it for my playpen. Is this a crazy idea? The thought (in my feeble, sleep-starved mind) is that I want my DS to like his playpen and have something in there that is special that is only in the playpen. The aquarium gets incredible reviews--on this site and on amazon.

I'd be interested in people's thoughts about this idea and (also) if it's possible to attach it to a playpen or does it need crib bars?

TIA