Hammocks

Question
I have had questions from colleagues about the use of hammocks. Do you have information around that, as a baby is not flat, but on back, face clear and in own baby bed? (November 2009)

Response
Hammocks ar 'beds designed for babies' so hazards of non-infant designed sleeping places are minimized. Physical safety can be a problem if the swing arc is too great, but as for SIDS or SUDI, a hammock would be considered a baby bed. Again, the principles can be used as a check. Whatever the baby bed, is the baby able to get into a different position or situation during sleep that would compromise breathing (i.e. being face-up, face clear).

People may need to get used to using the principles of 'face-up, face clear, smokefree' to answer questions, but the more they are directed to check a situation against the principles, the more confident they will beecome about safety.