Heavenly Hammocks Sway Little Ones to Sleep

Hammocks bring to mind images of lazy summer afternoons spent swinging in the breeze, sipping a cool drink with a good book. Curiously, the origins of the hammock go way back in history. Some credit the ancient Greeks with its invention, while others point to the early inhabitants of the Amazon Basin. The Mayans knew that the hammock is an ideal sleep system for an infant because it surrounds the baby, simulating the mother’s womb, as it naturally responds to the child’s movement. The Giggle Guide^® surveys this alternative sleep system for babies, with selections from Hushamok, Kanoe and Mama Little Helper.

Hammocks Offer Sleep Benefits for Children

There are many benefits to using a hammock; especially for colicky or restless babies. Here are some of the benefits of hamock sleeping:

• Reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
  While the exact cause of SIDS remains unknown, we do know that it is best to keep a child sleeping on its back. The hammock is designed to let children rest comfortably on their backs.
• Eliminates Flat Head Syndrome
  Infants’ heads are soft and pliable. Because back sleeping is encouraged, some babies develop flat heads in back. Because the hammock is made to conform to the shape of a child’s body and head, Flat Head Syndrome is not associated children using a hammock.
• Prevents Infant Acid Reflux
  This is actually a very common problem and with a hammock, very easy to alleviate. All of the hammocks featured in this article elevate the head to help eliminate Infant Acid Reflux.
• Help for Restless Sleepers
  Babies are triggered to sleep by motion. Mothers report that during pregnancy, at the end of the day when sitting down to rest, the baby start kicking and dancing around in the womb. The motion throughout the day keeps the baby quiet and resting. Once the movement stops, that is the baby’s cue to start moving. The hammock responds to the baby’s movement during sleep and moves with the child. This automatically soothes the child back to sleep, without the parent having to turn something on or wind something up.

Here are three manufacturers of hammocks that are designed especially for infants and toddlers:

Hushamok is Above the Rest

The most modern of all three featured hammocks, the Hushamok offers a new take on the 800-year-old tradition. Featuring the finest fabrics and streamlined silhouettes, this is a gorgeous hammock, looking like a piece of art sitting in a living room.

The price reflects the aesthetic, however, and is not the most economical of the three, but it’s beautiful!

For more information, visit www.hushamok.com

Baby Can Kanoe to a River of Dreams

Aptly named, the Kanoe Baby Hammock actually resembles a canoe. This hammock is typically suspended from a ceiling hook and includes a spring to add another element of movement for the child. This apparatus is recommended for newborns up to about age two, for children 10 to 25 pounds. Kanoe, useful indoors or out, can be attached to a tree branch or a ceiling joist and can even adapt to high ceilings with a simple extension.

Additionally, this particular hammock is easily portable. It folds up very nicely into a bag made of the same fabric as the hammock. Kanoe uses 100% organic cotton, low impact dyes certified by OEKO TEX-100 and manufactures in the US.

For more details, visit www.kanoe.us

Mama Little Helper Simulates the Womb’s Comfort

Perhaps the most affordable hammock in our list is from Mama Little Helper. Their hammocks offer three levels of elevation to help alleviate acid reflux.

This company stresses the importance of providing an affordable option for everyone. They offer several colors to choose from, including yellow, pure white, royal blue, beige and pink. Their hammocks are made with 100% cotton and contain no dye, are AZO free and are safe for babies. Mama Little Helper hammocks are for newborns up to 25 pounds.

For more information, visit www.mamalittlehelper.com

For safe and peaceful sleep, hammocks are an innovative option for babies. Hammocks are definitely not just for an afternoon nap between trees any longer. Hammocks are taking an encore “bough” in the baby market.