Hammock or Cradle?? Need advice from hammock lovers

[LuluHB]

Thanks so much for the responses ladies. I was 100% convinced I wanted one, then saw one of the cradles and thought hmmm. Maybe I can hire a hammock and check them out before buying one - can't say I like the idea of my little one sleeping somewhere that who knows how many other babies have slept, pooed and spewed in though.

NaeNae - I really appreciate the honesty. Their comfort in the hammock is the main thing giving me concerns - I saw a picture of a bub probably 2-3 months old lying in one and she looked soooo uncomfortable - little shoulders hunched in. She just looked altogether squished. Maybe its a learning curve??

[jackrose]

Lulu, I love it when convinced of something we seek out opinions... just to be thorough and receive the answer we want

With regards to the uncomfortable and squished thing, I do think that young and small babies are not recommended/are not great in the hammock because of the curve created by the fabric and the fact that they do not have the weight to 'compete' with the hammock shape. This is why I didn't put my babies in to mine for a few weeks. Babies in the first few weeks sleep any where and everywhere anyway so it was not an issue and it was only when getting to them to sleep became an issue that the hammock came into its own. I believe Natures Sway make a special newborn board that you can put into the hammock to make it appropriate for a small baby by making the base of the hammock flat. I personally couldn't see the point as they pretty soon outgrow it but it does take into account the uncomfortable look/chin to chest issues in the first few weeks. As for NaeNae's experiences, maybe there are some babies that the hammock just does not suit. In the same way that some babies don't like to sleep anywhere but in mum's arms or some babies refuse to sleep on a flat surface (like mine!) Some just don't like it.

NaeNae, I hope you get use out of the hammock for your next, it is a sibling's prerogative, after all, to be and do exactly the opposite to that of their older sibling!