I was working on sleep training my 18 month old, and this giraffe came just in time. It's cute, soft, not too big, and the well designed velcro loop keeps it from being tossed overboard with everything else. My son can undo all kinds of velcro, but not this loop. It's too hard to reach from inside the crib, and would take significant effort, as the sticky parts reach the full length of the loop. The first thing he does now when I put him in the crib is kneel down and pat the giraffe. This, after 4 weeks of sleep training. Of course this giraffe didn't do all the work, but it has definitely helped the crib be a pleasant and comforting place to fall asleep without feeling alone.
The sound effects are good, and I like that the volume control has a good range, and is so finely adjustable. There are 4 sounds:
*Top button=jungle drums with grunt:I'm not sure who's grunting (a warthog maybe?) but it sounds a bit like a stomach gurgle. The pattern is pleasant and repetitive, but a bit too stimulating for sleepy time. Works for transition to more mellow sounds though.
*2nd button=jungle with birds, crickets, and grunt. Just nice jungle noises. This would be my fav if not for the next button.
*3rd button=jungle with babbling brook. This is great. The water noises are especially soothing to my son, and I use this every night.
*4th button=ocean. These always sound like static to me, but if you don't have a fan or other white noise in the room, this might work for you.
I had no trouble inserting the sound maker in the giraffe's back, but I was surprised that there is no flap to cover the buttons. It may be for the best though, as it would be difficult to feel around for the right button every night, and my son actually loves pressing the buttons,or even turning it off before he goes to sleep. Still, if this were to become a transitional object, there is no way to close the back, with or without the sound maker installed. It is nicely lined with white cotton fabric, but you's probably want to sew it shut or something since it would be odd looking.
Overall, I definitely recommend this item as a crib companion and sleep aid.
| Product Dimensions | 12.99 x 7.99 x 4.02 inches |
|---|---|
| Item model number | 7362-ZZ |
| Batteries | 2 AA batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Target gender | Unisex |
| Minimum weight recommendation | 16 ounces |
| Maximum weight recommendation | 96 Pounds |
| Material Type | plush |
| Number Of Items | 1 |
| Style | Gentle Giraffe |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Batteries required | Yes |
| Dishwasher safe | No |
| Is portable | No |
| Item Weight | 15.8 ounces |
