Hammocks and older kids?

[confustication]

I have a seven year old who announced that she wants to replace her bed with a hammock. While my initial response is 'what, you can't do that!' it dawned on me that I really don't know why we couldn't do that...

Has anyone ever done such a thing?

DD has some sensory issues, and I know swinging/swaying is immensely calming for her. I'm sort of toying with the idea of storing her bed for a bit and letting her try out this approach, but I'd love to hear from anyone with some experience.

[ecstaticmama24]

That sounds like fun! I never even thought about a hammock for older kids. My first thought would be to just make sure there's a mattress/bed to resort to incase she gets uncomfortable in the hammock. I suppose it depends on the kind of hammock.

Would love to hear how this works out.

[DianeMarie]

I would be concerned about her actually being able to sleep in a hammock, after she has gotten used to sleeping in a bed for so many years. It may be very difficult for her to get used to, and she may not be able to get used to it at all.

I wonder if there's a way for her to be able to try one out and see if she can actually sleep in one for the whole night for a few nights, rather than buying one and having it be a waste of money when she can't sleep in it.

Has she ever been in one before? The thing here is that you need to find out if she will actually be able to sleep in it. Anther thing to consider is what else she uses her bed for---like does she read in bed? Does she watch TV in bed? Does she stretch out and do homework on her bed? Beds are not only used for sleeping---and this is another thing to consider when changing to a hammock. Her body won't be supported like on a bed, the hammock will obstruct her views and won't provide a flat surface to really be able to do anything. Plus, she will be relegated to sleeping on her back because she is not going to be able to sleep in her side or stomach in a hammock.

Lots to think about. Maybe you should just put a hammock in the backyard, and she can use it to relax in.

[confustication]

Apparently it's a good time of year to be looking at such things. I found a great deal on a cotton brazillian hammock and ordered that for her. I figure we can set it up in part of her room and let her choose where she wants to sleep (she has a full size bed now). If she doesn't like it, we can change the spacing on the hooks that hang it to turn it into a chair for her to lounge and swing in, and it's cheap enough that we aren't risking much.

I sort of suspect though that the cocoon effect + a weighted blanket may be just what it takes to get her to actually sleep restfully. SI issues are a challenge to deal with at times.

[Triciabn]

my son declared the same thing a few years back.... I talked to our chiro and he said it would be fine. We both figured it would be a phase.... years later he is still swinging to sleep.
We have the brazilian chair hammock attached with a spring and some other gear we got at Tractor supply.
Tricia

[butterfly_mommy]

I would love to sleep in a hammock. Waiting to here how she liked it.

[sweetpeppers]

I've thought about this for myself. Did you put hooks into the wall (studs) or do you have a stand?

[confustication]

Originally Posted by sweetpeppers

I've thought about this for myself. Did you put hooks into the wall (studs) or do you have a stand?

Hopefully it will arrive this week, and provided I'm not in the midst of delivering the currently baking baby, we'll get it all set up. We're going to put the hooks into the studs in the wall, that way it can be very secure, and also there's nothing to have to work with for floor space.

I'll make sure to update once we have some feedback on it- I figure the worst that happens is we turn it into a nice hanging chair for her to read in... if you look around for sales there are some deals to be found this time of year, which makes it worth the risk to us.

[NiteNicole]

That's so neat. I tried to talk my parents into that when I was 12 and they wouldn't go for it. I'd still like a hanging bed. I think it would be nice to rock to sleep.

[confustication]

I'm resurrecting this thread now that we've had time to assess the outcome....


DD now happily goes to bed every night in the hammock, sleeps longer, and much deeper, and spends her reading time during the day lounging in it as well. Additionally, when she's stressed or getting in trouble- she'll go off and lie in it for about 10 minutes and it really helps her to decompress.

We mounted the hammock into the wall studs- it's actually hung quite low though so she can get in and out very easily. It was an amazing outcome and it's really improved her sleep quality and quantity.

[sweetpeppers]

Originally Posted by confustication

I'm resurrecting this thread now that we've had time to assess the outcome....


DD now happily goes to bed every night in the hammock, sleeps longer, and much deeper, and spends her reading time during the day lounging in it as well. Additionally, when she's stressed or getting in trouble- she'll go off and lie in it for about 10 minutes and it really helps her to decompress.

We mounted the hammock into the wall studs- it's actually hung quite low though so she can get in and out very easily. It was an amazing outcome and it's really improved her sleep quality and quantity.

I just bought a hammock to do this in my room, partly inspired by this thread. I'm nervous about hanging it though. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[confustication]

It really wasn't too bad. It was a matter of finding the studs, and then drilling in- we did have to reset once to set the ends about 6 inches higher than we thought to begin with as it was so low her bum hit the ground. :P

Really though, it was moderately painless!

[Jackies Ladybug]

thats great! i had a hammock mounted over my regular bed as a child and i LOVED it, it was amazing for calming me down and i also stored my toys there if i slept on the regular mattress.
its great to see supportive parents do such a great thing for their child, i know a lot of people who would have said no and never given another thought to it.
yay!!!

[sweetpeppers]

I've been sleeping in my hammock the past couple of nights. I love it. It's very comfortable, and with my comforter it is warm enough. The only annoying thing is that I can't get up without waking up my son if he's in there with me, which he always is once he wakes up.

[Shanny2032]

That is so cool! I commend you for not brushing off a seemingly "silly" request. DD is only 1 but still naps during the week at work with me in her car seat swing and loves it so much I have wondered what a "big girl" solution might be and I think I may have found it! I will file this away in my mind for someday! Glad she is enjoying it and sleeping better even!

[habitat]

Wow. Thanks for posting this! So glad it's helping your little girl get better sleep. I'm thinking of doing it for myself!