If I could spend lots of money on something special for our new little girl, I think it would be one of these:
 |
| Nature's Sway Hammock & Stand $329 |
If I had the luxury, I would totally buy one, for a few reasons. Its portable, babies love the movement, the gentle curve is comfortable for them. Its just a wonderful product.
Lucky for me I don't let a little thing like money stop me! I've managed to put one together for $25.
 |
| Hanging from our messy bedroom door |
My friend Amanda had a Jolly Jumper that her kids have grown out of. The spring and clamp are the same as the hammock ones, so I figured that would be the easiest way to create the setup.
 |
| So we don't have a real infant but the doll works. |
I had to buy some calico, thread [which sort of doesn't count because you always need that but I included it in the costing to be fair] and a carabiner to attach the whole shebang to the Jolly Jumper setup. All together these cost me $25.
I also needed some ties so I used cotton tape, a mattress - I happened to have a spare one exactly the right size, and a pole to separate the top, for which I used the Jolly Jumper bar.
The blue bar kind of cuts through the lovely light and organic feel of the calico setup, but we're talking function not fashion here you know?
Addie is WAY too big for it and her chunky legs dangle off the edge, but I laid her in it anyway and she loved the movement!!! Being a 1 year old she is smart enough to figure out that it moved when she kicked her legs, so those legs were going like crazy while her giggles were enough to make me want to make her a giant toddler size one! I didn't though.
While the mattress is fine, its just a light foam plastic coated bassinette thing. It'd be nice to have a lovely wool breathable deal, but we'll see if that ever happens or not. Apart from that the only improvement I'd like to see is a portable stand, but even the Jolly Jumper ones are pretty $$ so I'm not holding my breath on that one.
 |
| The blue Jolly Jumper hiding amongst the calico |
The blue bar kind of cuts through the lovely light and organic feel of the calico setup, but we're talking function not fashion here you know?
Addie is WAY too big for it and her chunky legs dangle off the edge, but I laid her in it anyway and she loved the movement!!! Being a 1 year old she is smart enough to figure out that it moved when she kicked her legs, so those legs were going like crazy while her giggles were enough to make me want to make her a giant toddler size one! I didn't though.
While the mattress is fine, its just a light foam plastic coated bassinette thing. It'd be nice to have a lovely wool breathable deal, but we'll see if that ever happens or not. Apart from that the only improvement I'd like to see is a portable stand, but even the Jolly Jumper ones are pretty $$ so I'm not holding my breath on that one.
You are too smart! As always! I love it!
ReplyDeleteYou are a clever chook. My babies were all in an Amby hammocj (a hand me down one from a friend) and were brilliant sleepers.....all three lasted in the hammock until beyond 12 months....bliss....
ReplyDeleteWe used to have one of these at the Childcare centre where I worked. It was great!
ReplyDeleteMy only caution is that on really hot days the one we had seemed to make the babies too toasty warm and didn't allow enough airflow (although yours does look nice and breezy and cool).
I love the fact that your never defeated. It looks great, can't wait to see pictures of a baby in it.
ReplyDeleteYay for practical creativity. It truly comes in most handy. And the doll looks quite content so baby should love it. :P
ReplyDeleteEsther, I'll keep that in mind about the heat. My guess is that she'll spend most of her first couple of months either in here or being worn by me in a wrap - whatever keeps us all happy - and keeps her safe from her big sister!
ReplyDeleteThe doll is the picture of contentment isn't she? I hope the baby loves it as much. If not it'll be fun for Addie, lol.
Hey Tab! great work!! Would a portable clothes-line (clothes horse? not sure what everyone else calls them!) work for a stand? We have one (in actual fact, we have 4 - which may seem excessive but only 1 of them was bought by us - aaron had it during his bachelor days and the other 3 were wedding presents!) it's about as tall as i am, on wheels, and it has a square frame so is really sturdy. It can hold all of Aaron's wet jeans in winter.
ReplyDeleteAnywho, hope you find something for the stand!
Oh and I've deleted my facebook account - i was spending waaaaay too much time on there and need to concentrate on God, Aaron and Abbie - not what everyone else is having for lunch!
Bec T xo
Maybe Bec? TBH I'm wary of using something that isn't tested and rated to hold at least 15kgs without fatigue and stuff. Someone else suggested a birdcage frame but I have the same issues there too. The clamp will work, so I need to be content with that and not get greedy :)
ReplyDeleteI can email you and tell you when I have an awesome lunch if you'd like? lol.
oh now Im excited! I am going to make this! I have a jolly jumper and stand so Im halfway there. I think I even have the calico and I have a matress from a cradle. This is going to be fun!
ReplyDelete