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Sleep

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Original poster

Tips for using Amby Baby Hammock Please!

11 replies

Poppy1976 · 26/09/2006 13:10

Just taken delivery of an Amby, last hope for my 17wk DS who seems to have settled on a 6 times a night wake-up routine since he hit 12 weeks (I thought that's when it was supposed to get better!?!) He has always gone to sleep fine on his own or sometimes with dummy if over tired, just keeps waking, think he's become a restless sleeper and hoping this soothes him. Going to put him in it tonight so would welcome any tips from Amby pros....

Thanks (and crossing fingers)
P

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jammydodger · 26/09/2006 20:40

I'm not a pro with this as have only been using it for 11 weeks since having ds2, but so far it's been great. I tend to put him in slightly on his side (don't think you're meant to though), and he snuggles into the side bits. Then if he's still awake, I gently put one hand on his side or tummy while very gently bouncing him and saying ssshhh over and over again. This works for me but others may have more tips (will watch with interest!).

aitch71 · 26/09/2006 20:46

i always had more success using the spring to boink DD up and down quite vigorously than with a more restful swinging action. hold onto the coat hanger ish frame at the top and push it down, while you lean over wreathed in maternal smiles singing a suitably lullaby-ish song. then when he appears to settle, push the hammock away from you to make it swing. it will then bounce/swing for quite a while after you creep out of the room.
my fingers are crossed for you poppy,
h x
PS i also had her sleeping in the middle of the hammock, rather than with her toes down at the end like you would do in a cot.

aitch71 · 26/09/2006 20:48

oooor, i have just remembered. sit to one side of the hammock and pull the fabric to make it bounce.
and if the hammock is going to be beside your bed, remember that you can stick your hand out in the night and lie it on the baby to bounce him. my dd has gone into a cot now, and i so miss sleeping with one hand on her...

rickshaw · 26/09/2006 20:52

We used an Amby for ages. My dd liked to sleep right up at the top with her head pushed against the fabric, so we ended up having to stick a weight at the other end to stop her head being lower than her feet!

I used to put my hand on her tummy and bounce the hammock that way, rather than by bouncing the coat hanger bit IYSWIM.

I slept with one arm on her most of the night too....

aitch71 · 26/09/2006 21:12

so true, rickshaw, when my dd got older she always used to shimmy up to the top of the hammock. we weren't as inventive, though, so she was sleeping nearly upside-down for a while...

Original poster

Poppy1976 · 27/09/2006 09:59

Thanks for the tips! We have had some improvement, quite a few wake-ups with crying to begin with but he seemed to soon 'get it' and was able to go back quite quickly first with me bouncing gently then by himself. He tends to slam his legs down lots which of course set the thing bouncing quite vigorously! We also had one 4 hour stretch which is a first for a couple of months. One really big difference is that after his feeds he went back in awake and didn't even murmer whereas in his normal cot he would always have a shout.... Hoping that it gets better and better!

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aitch71 · 27/09/2006 12:10

i am thrilled that you've seen some improvement, that really is brilliant. here's hoping that it's the start of better nights for all of you...

Original poster

Poppy1976 · 27/09/2006 16:56

Thanks.... hoping its not a one off! He also napped for 2 hours today in it which is truly a miracle!!!

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aitch71 · 27/09/2006 17:49

the more they sleep, the more they sleep, if you know what i mean... god, i wish dd was still in hers but she just got too mobile and i honestly thought she was going to launch herself out of it. i still think it was the best money i spent, though.

Original poster

Poppy1976 · 28/09/2006 12:57

Well so far I have to agree..... only 3 wake-ups and one was for his last feed which I don't think counts! Back to sleep bouncing away each time, he is such a restless sleeper I haven't had to bounce him at all yet as his little legs slamming down do all the work! Crossing fingers it continues.

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Original poster

Poppy1976 · 04/10/2006 19:26

Just in case any of you tipsters(or people thinking of getting a hammock) are interested, DS(19 weeks) has been in the Amby a week now and so far very good, he's slowly increased his sleep hours each night he's been in and last night did 11 hours!! Which for a baby who has spent the last 8 weeks waking 4-6 times a night is nothing short of a miracle.

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