Hammock for Baby
With some friends recently having their first child, it got me thinking about what I could get them as a gift and hammocks came to mind. I felt as though their soothing properties would be calming, but I also wondered whether hammocks were safe for babies. I know how comforting they can be as an adult and thought that cocooning effect would feel wonderfully familiar for an infant. This set me on a path of discovery about hammocks for babies and their suitability for children under 12 months.
Why Baby Hammocks?
As I began my research about baby hammocks, I was not at all surprised that many people, parents included, see them as a valuable source to help replicate the warmth and cosiness of the womb. The reason baby hammocks are increasingly popular is because of their ability to allow the baby to mimic the foetal position they are familiar with and the ability to be gently rocked and comforted back to sleep.
It also became apparent that some families prefer a hammock over a cot. These parents often don’t feel comfortable with the idea of their baby sleeping surrounded by bars and like the natural textures of breathable material that baby hammocks are made out of.
Are Baby Hammocks Safe?
There are conflicting thoughts on the safety of hammocks with babies. The Red Nose foundation that researches Sudden Infant Death Syndrome does not recommend babies sleep in anything other than a cot so that baby can sleep safely on its back and its airway isn’t compromised. However, there are other thoughts of belief that hammocks are ok to use under supervision where baby’s airway can be checked and are at less risk of falling out. The portability of some hammocks makes this possible with the ability to be moved from room to room on a frame. Primarily, if you do choose to use a hammock, it’s essential to follow the instructions that come with it, especially when it comes to weight restrictions and how it is installed.
Benefits of a Baby Hammock
The many benefits for babies spending time in a baby hammock include:
- Helping with Sleep Issues
Hammocks for babies are known to assist babies that have trouble sleeping. The warming and cocooning feeling of being gently rocked in a hammock will soothe baby into a restful sleep.
- Reflux and Colic
It is understood that the upright position the hammock engages baby in can ease reflux and colic. It allows gravity to keep the milk where it belongs in the stomach and help ease the pain as they sleep.
- Warm and Swaddled Environment
A baby hammock keeps baby in a warm and swaddled environment without having to be carried by mum and dad continually.
- Portable
Generally, like hammocks we take camping, baby hammocks are portable and can be moved from room to room around so you can keep an eye on baby.
Popular Hammock Choices
There are a wide variety of hammocks that you can use with baby. Some enable easy portability, while others are made out of natural materials with great airflow and ease of use. We explore some of the best on the market and give you the pros and cons so you can decide what is right for you and your baby.
Amby Baby Hammocks appear to be the most popular hammocks for babies on the market. They have a lot of positives going for it, especially the fact they are easily portable meaning they can easily move around the house wherever you are or taken on trips with you. The Amby hammock was designed in Australia by a father looking for the relief of colic for his daughter. Over the years, Amby has continued to improve, making it larger and safer. Not one case of SIDS has been recorded from the use of an Amby baby hammock since the production of it in 1989.
Pros:
- Good airflow and breathable fabric.
- Help settle restless sleepers.
- Eases colic and reflux.
- Provides a swaddled environment.
- Easily fits accessories to stop the baby from rolling.
- Easily portable.
Cons:
- Hammocks are not recommended for unsupervised use for babies.
Overall, the Amby baby hammock receives positive reviews, especially from clinically controlled studies that show that the rhythmic and enclosed movement shows improved physical and psychological development in babies. It is also the most readily available commercial product across Australia.
Natures Sway, understand that babies love to feel the warmth of your arms around them and like being rocked gently to sleep. These baby hammocks are made out of natural materials, and also have certified organic hammocks available. This New Zealand made product comes highly recommended by mothers who have used it and find they are easily able to soothe their babies by the natural gentle contours and sway of the baby hammock. Natures Sway recommends that once your baby can sit, kneel, pull themselves up and roll that the hammock is no longer safe to use.
Pros:
- No use of harmful synthetic materials.
- Comes with everything you need including the springs, carabiners and a fitted sheet.
- The mattress is flame resistant.
- One person can easily assemble the stand.
- Portable.
- Helps relieve colic and reflux.
Cons:
- Additional back stiffeners aren’t suitable for premmie or small babies under 4kg.
- Not recommended for unsupervised use.
The Natures Sway Baby Hammock is also well known within Australia. Its organic properties are popular among parents who prefer using natural materials for their baby.
Not as well known as Natures Sway and Amby Baby Hammocks, the Happy Hangup is a nurturing space for your baby. The natural feeling similar to the womb and rhythmic movement soothes baby from birth up to 20kgs. The Happy Hangup can be used with or without a cushion, but should always be used under supervision. The hammock weighs a very light 1.9kg. It can be hung from the ceiling in any room, over beams or from a stand. This hammock is deemed to be safe if parents use them according to the included instructions.
Pros:
- Can be hung closer to the ground as baby begins to grow and move around.
- Made out of organic and natural materials.
- Familiar womb-like surroundings encourage deep relaxation.
- Assists in easing reflux and infant colic.
- Bedding is flexible and grows with baby.
- The material helps regulate the baby’s body heat.
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with the attachments.
- Requires supervision for babies of all ages.
The Happy Hangup isn’t as commercially produced as other brands but does come with thorough instructions, explaining how to use the hammock to ensure baby’s safety.
What Hammocks are Most Suitable for Baby?
As mentioned previously, it comes down to personal choice. The three brands we have mentioned today are the most readily available on the market. They all have high safety standards, as long as the instructions are followed and your baby is supervised. Hammocks for babies aren’t at all like a hammock you or I might use out in the wilderness, but it has the same properties of providing a cocoon-like sleeping space off the ground. A lot of research has gone into the Amby Baby Hammock, which has been improved over time to adhere to safety standards and comes with an easily portable stand.
Most baby hammocks are recommended to be used with a stand rather than being attached to the roof or a beam. Generally, this is because it’s portable and is made according to required Australian safety standards. The most suitable choice of hammock for baby is one that not only meets your needs, e.g. organic materials etc… but also meets safety guidelines so baby can have the safest sleep possible.
Questions
- Can we take a baby hammock camping with us?
Baby hammocks are not readily suitable for outdoor use within the elements. While you could use it out on your porch undercover, the materials will not protect your baby from the rain and would not work on a camping trip. However, if sleeping indoors on a trip, then it is perfectly suitable to use.
- Could the hammock material tear?
As long as you follow the weight guidelines, your baby should be reasonably safe in a hammock. If you do notice some damage to the material, it is recommended that you stop using it straight away.
- If my baby starts crawling and climbing out, should I stop using the baby hammock?
Most manufacturers recommend that you stop using a baby hammock once they start crawling and moving about. The Happy Hangup manufacturers suggest putting the hammock close to the ground once baby starts moving about.
- Should I get a professional to install my baby hammock?
If you are at all unsure about installing your baby hammock, getting the help of a professional is highly recommended, especially if you are hanging from a beam or roof. Putting a baby’s safety first is more important than doing it yourself.