While pregnant with my first son I looked into a baby hammock briefly, but was honestly a little afraid of something that I had never seen used by a “real” person. No one I knew used one, they used cribs and bassinettes. So I bought a cradle and a crib, and ended up co-sleeping until after my son was one because he wouldn’t sleep in either one.
This time I am going to try a baby hammock. After the testimonials of good friends and the online reviews I am hoping it will prevent the horrible sleep habits my son had. I like to pretend he would have been like this no matter how much I held him and rocked him and slept with him and nursed him to sleep. Maybe, maybe not.
The baby hammock itself has been around for over 800 years, so it is not a new invention.
Now I have to choose one. The prices range from expensive to very expensive, so this is a choice I am not taking lightly. After lining my choices up I have to say I am leaning towards the Miyo since it has many options. (Update 2014- I chose the Hushamok after finding a gently used one on Craigslist. My son enjoyed napping in it and would sleep some nights there. Overall we are happy with the product)
Choice 1: Amby Baby Motion Bed. (307.00 for infant to toddler package)
The Amby is very well known as far as baby hammock go. Even more so after the voluntary recall issued a few months years ago. They have issued replacement parts to all current owners who wished for one.
Pros:
Great reputation (even with the recall)
Low end of the price range for hammocks.
Comes with a travel bag for compact transport.
Easy to put together and move from place to place.
Cons:
Not available new for the moment.
Not many color choices.
Not as attractive as other hammocks.
Specs:
Infant to 9 months.
Up to 20 pounds with infant spring. Up to 45 with toddler kit.
(3.5 ft x 2.5 ft x 5 ft)
Where to buy:
At least for now the only places you can find an Amby will be Craigslist or consignment stores.
Choice 2: Arm’s Reach Cocoon (149.99)
The Arm’s Reach Cocoon Sleeper is another contender. Visually similar to the Amby Hammock. This company has had issues with recalls, but none of the Coccon that I can find.
Pros:
Less expensive than most other hammocks.
Great reviews online.
Cons:
Hangs from two points, not one, so less motion for the baby.
Specs:
Birth to 15 pounds.
Where to buy:
Choice 3: Hushamok (598.00 for stand and hammock)
The Hushamok Hammock is quite pricey, however it boasts the benefit of being able to add a seat to the stand for older children. I have seen this in person and love the style!
Pros:
You can use it without a stand (which adds to the cost) if you hang from your ceiling.
Can buy a seat to add to the stand.
Stand is aluminum and very lightweight. (11 pounds)
Cons:
Very expensive.
Not many online reviews on this product.
Specs:
Newborns up to 6 months or 22 pounds.
43”L x 59”H x 42”W
Where to buy:
Choice 4: Kanoe (290.00)
The Kanoe is stunningly beautiful. It is made from 100% organic cotton and dyed with low impact, environmentally friendly dyes. There is a way to rent a Kanoe for 40.00 a month if you want to see if it is something your baby would enjoy.
Pros:
Gorgeous.
Space saving since it hangs from the ceiling.
Comes with canvas carrying bag.
Can be hung closer to the ground to make a cool chair for older children.
You can adjust the incline or leave if flat.
Cons:
There is no stand made for it, though the website suggests some made by others should work.
Expensive.
Cannot travel with it unless you buy a stand.
Specs:
Infant to 30 pounds.
Choice 5: Miyo (Hammock:199.95, Stand: 169.95, Door Clamp: 49.95)
The Miyo is another beautiful hammock. The Miyo does offer a stand and a door clamp to use for travel.
Pros:
High age limit.
Multiple ways to use the hammock, ceiling, stand, or doorway clamp.
EASY to travel with thanks to the door clamp.
Cons:
Very expensive if you buy the hammock, stand, and clamp.
Now looks to be unavailable as of last search, 2014
Specs:
Infant to 9 months.
Where to buy:
N/A
Choice 6: Mawok (256.00)
This hammock has an interesting fixture where you can hang it from your door, perfect for traveling. It can also be mounted from your ceiling.
Pros:
Small and light.
Offers stylish patterns and stark white.
Package comes with ceiling mount and travel arm.
Cons:
Doesn’t have a stand.
Hard to find information and reviews. Product is Swedish.
Mechanics of the door attachment are scary to think of. This is an option you really should think about before trying. Also, would want to use a door that doesn’t have traffic. Oops… squished your baby.
Specs:
Infant to 6 months.
Where to buy:
Right now I can only find it on their Swedish Website. Mawok.se
Choice 7: Happy Hangup (225.00 with shipping)
The Hangup is an Australian hammock. There is the ability to add a cushion of different sizes depending on the age of the baby, or use no cushion. The hammock uses a spring.
Pros:
Gorgeous fabric pattern.
Wooden hanger is handmade.
Cons:
No stand.
Not a lot of information on it.
Specs:
Infant to 45 pounds.
Where to buy:
Happyhangup.com. Will ship to US. 225.00 includes shipping to the US.
Choice 8: Yayita (262.00 with stand. 136.00 no stand)
The Yayita hammock has a wooden bar with two notches, two further in for smaller babies, and two farther out for larger children. Can be purchased with or without stand. The Yayita was recalled in 2008 due to a flipping hazard after one baby flipped over but was still strapped in. The baby was not injured, and since the hammock has undergone a redesign which makers say prevents flipping.
Pros:
Safety Strap.
Can buy stand.
Adjustable width.
Cons:
Previous recall.
Specs:
Infant to 18 months or 45 pounds.
Where to buy:
Choice 9: Mamalittlehelper (109.00 with stand)
The Mamalittlehelper quite frankly worries me. Besides having a name that sounds off to me, the website needs quite a bit of work. Plus, it looks like an Amby knock off.
Pros:
Mesh sides
JPMA Certified.
Inexpensive compared to other hammocks.
Cons:
Reviews often comment it is cheaply made.
They make an infant, toddler, and baby hammock. What is the difference? Website not clear.
Specs:
Infant up to 25 pounds or rolling over.
Where to buy:
Mamalittlehelper.com. However they are not shipping orders at the moment.
Choice 10: Special Delivery Baby Hammock
Pros:
Inexpensive
Custom fabric options
Cons:
Website does not inspire confidence in the product.
No certifications or testing certificates.
No option to buy a stand from their website.
Specs:
For babies 12-18 months (or rolling.crawling), but can hold up to 45 lbs. They also made a toddler hammock.
Product weight is 3 lbs.
Where to Buy: Special Delivery
Choice 11: Crescent Womb ($125+ to back on Kickstarter and receive a hammock)
Specs:
No weight limits provided
Where to Buy: Back on Kickstarter
There is a Kickstarter for a new Baby Hammock called Crescent Womb that works inside of the crib. I haven’t tried it but it could be an option for families researching cheaper hammocks. They are nearly funded at the time of this posting so if manufacturing goes well backers should receive their product.
Edited to add: I want to emphasize that I have not tried any of these hammocks except for the Hushamok, and all information came from their respective websites. I also want to say that I realize hammocks carry a stigma thanks to the Amby Motion Bed recall. However, even traditional sleeping arrangements like cribs, bassinets, cradles, co-sleepers, etc should be used with common sense. Any baby item is dangerous if used incorrectly or without common sense.