The Amby Natures Nest Mobile Baby Hammock - Letters from parents: australia daycare day care baby hammock hammock childcare children kindergarten mobile hammock natures nest blissful amby early childhood sleep crying colic reflux different early hard to settle interesting links kid product babies nature natural burn scald sids won't can't sleep crying fussy newborn newborns soothing music relaxing quiet new baby infant cry crying teething teething colic colicky crying baby

We have received hundreds of letters from grateful parents, some of which are shown below. We thank all those parents who have taken the trouble to write to us as we love hearing from you.

Any comments are welcome, just email, write or fax us.

Interesting letters and emails may be published on this page, but only with prior permission from the writer. Email addresses will only be included with explicit permission.

The Original & Safest Baby Hammock in the Market

Day/night bed that doubles as a porta bed

Assembles in minutes and packs neatly in the carry bag

The Amby Hammock is Recommended and Endorsed by leading American Pediatrician Dr. W. Sears
www.ambybaby.com/DrSears

-----Original Message-----
From: jillian gouthro [mailto:jillian_gouthro@yahoo.ca]
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2003 3:48 PM
To: info@ambybaby.com

Subject: thank you!!

Hello Craig

I just wanted to let you know how pleased we are with the hammock!!! Lily (6mths) is making the transition from our bed to her new bed wonderfully! She took to the hammock for naps no problem and we are now working on the nightime sleeps which seems to be a bit trickier.
Although Lily is not sleeping longer( which I am blaming on teething), she is sleeping more soundly. The length will come in time. When she is fussy or after nursing we simply put her in the hammock and give it a bounce or swing and she is often asleep in a matter of seconds.

Thank you so much for your wonderful product!!!!! If you need any help introducing the hammock to Canada I would love to help. I've already raved about it to my play group moms. I'll let you know about any more progress made.

Thanks again,

Jillian Gouthro & Jason Doucette
And we can't forget a big thanks from Lily Marie!!

Hello,

Just wanted to let you know how much I loved using the Amby Hammock for my first daughter - Mackenzie. She is now 15 months, and too big for the hammock, but she stayed in it until she was approx 10 months old.

I am convinced that the secure and tactile environment created by the hammock really gave her a jump start emotionally and physically. She was a very happy and contented baby who absolutely thrived (even surprising the child health nurse at her steady and top-of-the chart weight gains week after week), and would sleep peacefully in the hammock for hours at a time through the night. Even in the first weeks of her life, she never woke more than once through the night for a feed, and stopped the middle-of-the-night feed completely at around 6-7 weeks. She certainly stirred many times a night, as I would hear her wake up, but I would watch as she jiggled around, and set the hammock to bouncing which would then send her straight back to sleep, then to wake again at the more civilised hour of 8:00am or later. I enthusiastically recommend the hammock to all who will listen, and I have it at the ready for our next babies when they are born.

It is a fabulous product and I'd like to congratulate you on the great design, and the excellent start to life that you have given our precious daughter.

Please feel free to use this letter as a testimonial for your product.

kind regards
Mairi Thomson
Brisbane, Australia
Jan 2004

-----Original Message-----
From: Linda B. [mailto:llp33@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2004 6:15 PM
To: info@ambybaby.com

Subject: thank you , thank you, thank you, thank you.....

Craig,

I have lost count of how many days it has been since we got our Amby - I think less than a week - but I cannot remember what we did without it ! It is a miracle for us.

I have never been able to lay my son down to sleep before in his life - for nine months one of us has had to touch or hold him for him to sleep. This is a miracle for us. I have never been able to take a picture of him sleeping before in his life. I am so thankful for this product.

I only wish I had heard of it sooner ! But even though our son was already 9 months old when we bought it, it is worth every penny to us....this bed is changing our lives. It is truly amazing. To see my son asleep by himself in a bed is a miracle for me....I had to take a picture. I am so happy !

Linda Blackman
USA
http://www.geocities.com/llp33/evan/ambybaby.jpg

-----Original Message-----
From: scudderbug [mailto:scudderbug@onemain.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 1:15 PM
To: info@ambybaby.com
Subject: Thank you

I just wanted to thank you for the Amby Baby Hammock. It has become a life saver. Our son would not sleep unless someone was holding him. We had purchased a crib which was hardly ever used. We next tried a co-sleeper which didn't work either. We resorted to bringing him in bed with us. He moves around so much during the night it was impossible to get a good nights sleep.

Then I discovered your hammock. The first night we used it, we kept checking on him to make sure he was okay because he wasn't crying! Our periods of sleep are gradually getting longer. Last night we got a 5 hour period of sleep. I woke up feeling so refreshed!

Even though I still like to share one nap a day with my son in our bed, he spends the rest of his sleep time in his hammock. I have been telling everyone that I know about this hammock. I hope that they heed my advice and bypass the cribs and co-sleepers. Thank you!
Kelley Boehme
Pennsylvania

Dear Chloe,

I write to thank you for the Natures Nest we brought for our little Maria, I was not completely sure of the idea but I was at the point where I would try almost anything, Maria was not an easy baby she suffered with terrible colic which meant many sleepless nights for all of us and probably the neighbours, I also have another baby she was 22 month old at the time of Maria's birth so things were very difficult to say the least. The Natures Nest which as I say, I was not convinced would help certainly proved me wrong, her colic was much better her sleeping habits improved 100% an absolutely amazing almost magic baby bed which has not only helped Maria sleep longer and more comfortably but has made my life so much better, I now have two happy and contented little babies and a much calmer happier home. Maria is 5 months old now and has been sleeping through the night since 9 weeks of age, as you can see from the picture she is more than happy to stay in her little nest for some time yet.

I am so thankful I gave it a go, thank you for your help.

Sophie, Mark
Cindy & Most of all Maria x
Dec 2003

Hi there

sorry, i can't remember your names exactly . . . . my husband and I were chatting to you about the hammock as hubby was wearing Alfie in a hug-a-bub sling . .any recollections yet??

anyway . . . hope all went well with the show and you're busy with new orders

here are the pictures & comments on the hammock i said i'd send of Alfie in the hammock

My son is used to being carried in a sling most of the time during the day as he loves being close to me. When he drifts off to sleep, I can put him into the hammock and know that he feels cosy and safe. I've tried to place him on a mattress for sleeping, but he wakes up looking for something to be next too. I can only assume he feels too exposed and is looking for a more 'womb-like' experience.

He tends to sleep for long periods of time in the hammock and when he has his waking moments and stretches about, he rocks himself back to sleep gently. If he needs a little help getting back to sleep, I just help to bounce him and it's much easier on the arms during the middle of the night. I'm really glad I went for the hammock as it's not a 'normal' approach to an infant sleep solution, but a more natural and reassuring one I feel.

Hello Chloe,

Our 6 months old Gwenna doesn't want to miss a split second during the day so we put the hammock in the living room where she can rest and still keep an eye on what is going on around her.

The gentle and prolonged movement of the hammock usually wins though and she falls asleep peacefully or at least snuggles up with her favourite Teddy.

We only got the hammock a few months after her birth so it took her a while to get used to it but now she loves it and I wish we'd bought it earlier!

Annelies Francis
Linconshire
UK
21st, 2003

Dear Ambrose,

(Please feel free to publish this email),

I am just writing to thank you for the wonderful support that your product provides to babies and Parents. Our baby, Miles, came to us after a long and arduous labour. He had colic and would not sleep for a continuous amount of time; basically he was up every hour. He would only get a couple of hours sleep on either of us, where he could listen to our heartbeat and our breath, or, sleep in our bed where neither of us would sleep for fear of SIDS. It was only after my partner doing a lot of research on the web that we finally decided on your baby hammock. Whilst I was unsure that it would do any good, anything had to be better than the situation we were in. It arrived into a rather stressed, overwhelmed and sleep deprived little home.

At 7 weeks of age Miles took to the hammock straight away. I remember spending many wee hours bouncing him up and down, swinging him from side to side and his father would often stay up late, sometimes till 4am, jiggling and swinging him to sleep. Soon, astonishingly, he began to bounce himself up and down to go back to sleep. Sometimes we would just stand at the end of the hammock amused to see him bounce around until he would settle. It was so cute to see him snuggle into the side of the hammock and within a couple of minutes he would be asleep. (I just wish that someone would have suggested the hammock to us sooner and that we could have reduced the 5 weeks of stress in our little home). I am elated to say that Miles is now over his colic, he turned 6 months yesterday, and I am packing the hammock away. It brings back so many memories of his early days and how we persevered, trying to get him to settle and all those sleepless nights of crying and wind, not to mention the stress it caused on our relationship.

Over the past two weeks it has taken a while to convince him to move into his cot as I am quite small and he weighs about 10 kgs he is too big for me to lift him into and out of the hammock. Whist now Miles only sleeps at four hour stretches he is an alert, active little boy who smiles, laughs and is very content, he no longer screams out in the night and all this I can attribute to the hammock.

I want to say a big THANK YOU and give you a big hug for your wonderful hammock. It has helped me and my partner stay sane through a very trying stage. I will certainly be using it for our next child and have recommended it to lots of mothers who have babies with colic and or reflux.

For parents reading my email believe the stories that these parents have written, they are true. The hammock works and will bring much happiness into your stressed sleep deprived life.

Kind regards,
Heidi, Bob and Miles.
Richmond, Victoria, Australia
23 November 2003

Our Reply to Heidi,Bob and Miles

Dear Heidi

Thank you for your wonderful letter. We do get quite a lot of letters like this and it does give me a warm feeling of great satisfaction to know that I have invented a bed that has literally helped thousands of babies like Miles. They do suffer unnecessarily for no other reason than not having a suitable and familiar sleeping environment/bed.

It has not been easy to get consumers to accept a concept that is so totally different. It has taken me years and years of hard work, perseverance and financial sacrifice to try and create consumer awareness and acceptance of this truly wonderful baby bed. Over the past 14 years there had been many occassions, particularly when sales were not going so well that I have thought of "throwing in the towel" and abandoning the project. Then I would get a letter like yours that makes everything seem so worthwhile.

A big THANK YOU to parents like you who has taken the time and trouble to write to us about the Amby Baby Hammock. We will most certainly publish your letter so that parents can see how this simple product can so easily help babies settle and get the sleep that they so deserve, without having to rely on medication and other unfounded means.

Regards

Ambrose CS Hooi
www.babyhammocks.com
amby@babyhammocks.com
Hello Craig

I just wanted to let you know how pleased we are with the hammock!!! Lily (6mths) is making the transition from our bed to her new bed wonderfully! She took to the hammock for naps no problem and we are now working on the nightime sleeps which seems to be a bit trickier. Although Lily is not sleeping longer( which I am blaming on teething), she is sleeping more soundly. The length will come in time.

When she is fussy or after nursing we simply put her in the hammock and give it a bounce or swing and she is often asleep in a matter of seconds. Thank you so much for your wonderful product!!!!! If you need any help introducing the hammock to Canada I would love to help. I've already raved about it to my play group moms. I'll let you know about any more progress made.

Thanks again,

Jillian Gouthro & Jason Doucette
And we can't forget a big thanks from Lily Marie!!
USA,Nov 2003
Hello Ambrose,

I am sending you few photos and good news-David is peacefull boy and even he has his hammock just few days, he likes to sleep in it.

In the maternity hospital baby bed, he didn?'t like to sleep so much. Comparing to our first son-Tomas sleeping 3,5 years ago, when he was baby and David now I see that with David is much easier to handle he is much more peacefull and sleeping longer and I believe thanks to hammock.

Thank you again

with best regards

Elizabeta Leba
Czech Republic
20th Aug, 2003
Hi there!

I am mother to Luc - now 13 weeks old, who has been having the most wonderfully peaceful deep sleeps for about half his life now, since we saw the advert for a Natures Nest in a British parenting magazine!

I can't tell you what a difference it has made to all of our lives! Luc didn't have a problem sleeping, but he did have a huge problem sleeping flat on his back. He hated it. During a particularly hot spell this summer and after my 6th week of being woken pretty much every other hour during the night, I came across an advert for the Natures Nest by pure coincidence and knew we had to have one!

Luc's father is from South Africa and we intend to go back to live there in the next year or so and wonder if there is a possibility of us investing and taking Natures Nest into South Africa with you? I am such a believer of this amazing product and would love the opportunity to sell it in SA.

Please could you let me know if there would be such an opportunity. Kind regards and once again many thanks for a wonderful invention!

Amanda & Luc

27th July 2003

Hi there

Luc was born 13 weeks ago and I can't tell you what a good baby he is. His only problem during his little 3 month life was his sleeping. I knew he didn't have a problem with sleeping itself - he could grab a few hours in his car seat, or on my chest, even in a noisey pub!!

But we would try and put him down on his back in a cot or moses basket and creep out of the room and he would jump himself awake again at the sound a a single floor board creaking! The worst time for us was between 7pm and midnight - I could cope with the middle of the night waking. But being new parents the early evening was our only together time. We spent most of it pacing the floorboards trying to get this beautiful baby to sleep. It was stain on our relationship as all we really wanted to do was eat a meal together, enjoy a glass of wine and catch up on the day!

I came across the ad for Natures Nest and to be honest, although I found the idea of it made perfect sense, in the back of my mind was a nagging feeling of 'what if it doesn't work?'. It seemed like a bit of a gamble. But, I took the plunge and have never looked back. Within the first 30 seconds of Luc being put in his nest he was fast asleep. He even went down awake! This was unheard of! From a little boy who couldn't sleep for anymore than 2 hours at a time at the most he is now sleeping for a minimum of 7 hours at a time at night. And if he manages to wake himslef up and isn't hungry, his movement gently rocks him back to sleep! I now wake myslef up to check he is OK, rather than him waking me up because he isn't OK.

I really can't tell you what a pleasure having the Natures Nest has been and my advise for anyone who is debating whether to take the plunge with one or not is to go for it. We have NEVER looked back and I dread to think where we would be had we not gone ahead and bought one. As Luc's dad said to me - what price would new parents pay for a good nights sleep and some of their social life back? We would have paid the price of a brand nrew car! I also wanted to tell you how happy I was with the service I received. I a country where service seems to be going down the drain the bed arrived the day after I had ordered it and was followed up on a Sunday with a call to check everything was OK.

I can't thank you enough!

I have attached some photos for you to see how happy he is!

Thanks once again and kind regards,

Amanda, Terry & Luc

27th July 2003

Hello Chloe,

Our 6 months old Gwenna doesn't want to miss a split second during the day so we put the hammock in the living room where she can rest and still keep an eye on what is going on around her.

The gentle and prolonged movement of the hammock usually wins though and she falls asleep peacefully or at least snuggles up with her favourite Teddy.

We only got the hammock a few months after her birth so it took her a while to get used to it but now she loves it and I wish we'd bought it earlier!

Annelies Francis
Linconshire
UK
21st, 2003

I am so greatful that we found the Amby.

The hammock was origionally given to us as a baby gift for our second daughter by my mother. She thought it would help with sleeping through the night since we had had a very hard time with our oldest daughter's sleeping habits.

We got the Hammock when Becca was 3 days old and she's been in it ever since. At 2 mnths Becca was diagnosed with some intestional problems that among other things causd severe reflux problems. The Hammock kept her in the "semi-upright position that kept her most comfortable.

When she went in for surgery at five months it was so nice for her to be able to sleep in her own bed at the hospitol, which was such a scary foreign environment.

I love this hammock, and would never dream of putting any of my future children into a crib.

Thank you so much.

Stephanie Mullen
Wasilla, Alaska
stehaniemullen2002@yahoo.com
7th July , 2003

Dear Ambrose,

First of all, I would like to thank you for your wonderful customer service! You have been so patient and helpful with all of my questions and concerns.

I received the replacement hammock yesterday-it was so nice of you to just send the replacement with no questions asked-dealing with your company has been a wonderful experience from the beginning!

Now, for the real thanks...if only I could afford to buy a ticket to Australia so that I could hug you! I cannot tell you how much the baby hammock is changing my life!

I have a 6 month old daughter. Until I found the hammock she would only sleep in the sling, or if I lay down with her. It was frustrating for me and she was getting heavy! Also, she would only nap for 1/2 hr before waking up. Two weeks after receiving the hammock, she is now napping exclusively in it for up to 2 hrs at a time 2-3 times a day! She does not cry or fuss, wakes up happy and rested!

I have my life back-so much time I don't know what to do with myself! We are still working on getting her to sleep in it at night, but I am confident that that too will happen.

I cannot begin to thank you enough for inventing this wonderful product. I am sure if we had this from the beginning we wouldn't have had so many sleep problems. If I have another baby I will use the hammock from the beginning. I only wish I could have found out about it sooner!

I am going to tell everyone I know about your company and your wonderful baby hammock!

Thanks again.
Lisa
USA, 5th July 2003
(feel free to use this message in any type of marketing you wish)
From: John Canning
To: amby@babyhammocks.com
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2003 7:16 PM

Subject: Washing the nature's nest

Dear Ambrose

Could you let me know whether I can wash the Nature’s nest in the washing machine (just the nest not the mattress)?

While I am at it may I add myself to your long list of grateful parents – I have been using the nest since my daughter’s birth 8 months ago and could not be more pleased with it – have recommended it to a number of other mums and also my local early childhood clinic took down your details as I was so thrilled with it. Too many good points to list them all but stand outs have been

1. Margot learning very quickly to self settle – a great boon as her 2 older brothers were also needing attention when she was very small.

2. Not having to handle Margot (ie endlessly patting and rocking) whilst teaching her to resettle – just a gentle jiggle of the hammock – bliss

3. I am convinced that one of the reasons she is so athletic is the hammock – she has rolled and crawled from very early on

4. Being able to travel with the hammock.

You have also responded very quickly by telephone on 2 occasions when I needed some practical advice re the hammock for which I was very grateful – great after sales service. Looks like Margot will be in the hammock for some time yet – yay – she sleeps so peacefully in it.

Many thanks

Mary Canning
16th May 2003

Yes, Mary, the hammock can be washed in a washing machine. Gentle cycle and warm wash is best

By the way, thanks for the lovely letter. May we publish ?

All the Best
Ambrose Hooi

Dear Ambrose,

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for inventing and producing such an exceptional and essential piece of baby furniture.

The AMBY baby hammock, with its womb-like feel and spring action has saved my husband and I from sleepless nights and unnecessary aggravation. At the hospital, our son, Ian, would not sleep in his (hard) bassinet, he slept with me. We used it as a changing table only. When he came home, he slept in his AMBY for two 4 hour sets during the day for the first 5 weeks. When his day/night perception shifted, he slept two 4 hour sets at night, with several naps during the day. At 6.5 weeks, he began sleeping though the night, 6-7 hours. At 8 weeks to now (10.5 weeks), he sleeps from 8:30pm to 7am. Occasionally he wakes for a feeding a night, but only after sleeping 6-7 hours straight.

Needless to say, the AMBY has been extremely useful in training our baby to sleep alone and sleep through the night. The AMBY has also been useful with crying. Ian only gets upset in the early evening, so we put him in his AMBY and bounce him a while and he calms down immediately.

Fortunately we had the AMBY from the beginning, we have not had to "walk the halls" in the wee hours of the night, we have not had to drive our baby around the city, we have not had to pick him up in the middle of the night to soothe him (that gets him excited).....simply bouncing the AMBY is all we need to do.

Thank you Ambrose!
Tami Richardson; B.A. Psych, Mother
USA
tami.richardson@att.net
6th May, 2003

Attached is a photo of our 6 month old son, Jett Dobson, enjoying breakfast in the hammock.

He has been sleeping through the night since age 2 and a half months using the hammock.

Now his favorite trick is to thrust his pelvis up and down which gets the hammock bouncing to incredible heights. We are often awoken in the morning by the sound of the hammock bouncing and his laughter.

thanks very much!

Ian Dobson

Thunder Bay,
Canada
21st April 2003

Dear Ambrose,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for this wonderful product.

We brought our new son home 3 weeks ago, and have been amazed at how well he sleeps in the hammock. Our first night home he slept almost six hours! I have told many friends about the hammock, and have even recommended it to a family friend with a very premature baby.

When I look back on all the preparations and decisions my husband and I made in anticipation of this baby, the baby hammock is by far the best one.

I ended up having a C-section, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get the baby in and out of the hammock, but even with a 9.5 pound baby, I can get him in and out without any problem.

Thank you so very much.

Sincerely,

Karen GeorgeCincinnati, OH
USA
21st April, 2003

Hello

We received your baby hammock three days after it was shipped ..that was super fast. Thank you very much.
Attached is a picture of our Nicola sleeping in it the first day we had it. It has proven to be great for the times that she is overtired and won't fall asleep on her own in her bed as she usually does. She is sleeping in the hammock as I write.
Do you think the hammock would survive an airline trip to Europe? Have you ever checked one in? IT would be too big for carry on luggage - I'm sure!

Thanks for the great invention and all the best!
Heike (from White Rock, B.C., Canada)
17th April 2003

Our Reply to Heike

Dear Heike

Thank you for you letter. I am really pleased that it is working out so well

No problems with the travel. Many people fly with the hammock. Just check it in as luggage as people do with their golf clubs. It's best to use the cardboard master carton that you got the hammock in

Cheers and all the best

Regards

Ambrose CS Hooi
www.babyhammocks.com
amby@babyhammocks.com
Dear Ambrose,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for this wonderful product. We brought our new son home 3 weeks ago, and have been amazed at how well he sleeps in the hammock. Our first night home he slept almost six hours! I have told many friends about the hammock, and have even recommended it to a family friend with a very premature baby. When I look back on all the preparations and decisions my husband and I made in anticipation of this baby, the baby hammock is by far the best one. I ended up having a C-section, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get the baby in and out of the hammock, but even with a 9.5 pound baby, I can get him in and out without any problem.
Thank you so very much.

Sincerely,
Karen GeorgeCincinnati, OH
USA
17th April 2003

Dear Ambrose,

I am still a happy hammock user, and my baby is 20 months old at this writing. In fact, I am expecting another baby, and may have to purchase another hammock if I can't get the current user into a bed in a few months!

Anyway, as we near the end of winter, (and cold season) I wanted to comment on a good effect of the hammock which you do not comment on, and might be of some help to other parents. I have found that colds and coughs did not linger, and were not a nighttime sleep disturbance, due to the position that the baby is held in. In a bed or crib, one cannot force a baby to sleep with his head elevated, but in the hammock, this is the natural sleep position. Breathing was easier even with a stuffy nose, and nighttime coughing was kept under control, allowing my baby to be rested.
My mother has repeatedly asked me when I am going to stop having my baby sleep in "that contraption," and I always answer, "As long as he wants to use it."

Cheers,
Taylor Winston-McGrath
USA
6th March 2003

Dear Ambrose

Even though we use a hammock that was handed down to us ( we only bought a mattress, sheets and the snuggler from you) we want to let you know that we are happiest with the hammock.

Ella loves it and we realize the huge difference to the sleeping habits of our elder daughter. We could not have chosen a better bed for Ella (and for us!).

We send you three recent pictures of her when she was about 4 weeks old which you can put on your website if you like. I will take the hammock to germany in June/July and can act as an ambassador on your behalf if you like.

Best Regards,
Dorothea Fröhlich Kretzschmar
Coogee, Sydney
6th March 2003

Not too long ago I ordered one of your hammocks in preparation for my newest daughter's arrival. My son (now 25 months) was one of those infants who wouldn't sleep anywhere but on top of myself or my husband. If laid down to sleep in a crib, bassinet, or swing he would be awake within 20 mn, crying to be held. My husband and I simply passed him back and forth, holding him nearly 24 hours a day, since we didn't have any other choice except to let him cry. (We don't believe in letting a baby cry for extended periods).

Well, I was terrified that my newest baby would be the same way and I knew that while already caring for my 25-month-old, I wouldn't be able to hold the newest baby 24 hours a day like I did with my son. I did some searching on the web and talked to other moms and found your hammocks. I am so glad I gave them a try!

My daughter is only a week old but already she sleeps 4-5 hour stretches at night between breastfeedings in her Amby hammock. She also takes lovely 2-3 hour naps in it during the day. If l lay her down in her crib or a bassinet on her back, she will wake and fuss within 1/2 hour. Your hammock has made my job as a mom so much easier. I will be eternally grateful to you!

P.S. Your customer service is excellent and shipping to the U.S. was so fast, I was amazed!

Sincerely,
Erin Lott Florida, USA
December 1st 2002
Hi and happy slumbers from Alicia,

The hammock arrived on Tuesday. Thank you for your help in expediting the delivery. The hammock was surprisingly easy to assemble. We immediately placed Alicia in the hammock to see her reaction. We started to bounce her and within 5 minutes, she was asleep. This happened at 5 p.m., which is not a nap or sleep time. She slept for an hour and woke happy. That night, she slept in the hammock from 7:30 p.m. until 3 a.m. which is a miracle! Normally, she would have woken crying at least 2 - 4 times if she was in her crib. When she woke at 3 a.m., I bounced her in the hammock and she slept for another hour at which time she was awake for a bottle. She's slept in the hammock for the last 3 nights and consistently sleeps until 3 a.m. If she does wake before then, she's able to settle herself with very little if any crying. We're absolutely amazed. Our next challenge is to extend her sleep until 5 or 6 a.m. without a bottle as well as trying to get her to nap during the day. She only naps for approximately 30 minutes during the day. Unfortunately, the hammock hasn't extended her nap time as I hoped, but I'll keep trying.

I can't tell you how much I wish we had this hammock when she was younger and was suffering from severe colic (gas pains) and reflux. The bouncing motion would have really helped to calm and to sleep. She has never responded to rocking, but loves to be bounced vertically. She's a big baby, 19.6 pounds at 7 months, and we just haven't been able to keep bouncing her for very long to get her to sleep or to calm her when she's upset. The hammock is wonderful for this. I remember my husband saying, "if only there was something out there for babies which bounced vertically". If only we had known your product existed. We plan to try for baby #2 this summer and I am very excited at the thought of being able to use the hammock from day one.

I plan to post my happiness with the hammock on several internet support boards which I'm a member of so that others might benefit from this amazing product.

Thank you again for helping our family!

Loralouise, Mark and baby Alicia Abbott

Dec 1st 2002

markandlora@sympatico.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: Maximum Force
To: amby@babyhammocks.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 9:47 AM
Subject: The Nature's Nest

Hi, I am certainly hoping someone there will be able to help me!?

Around eight years ago, I purchased one of your nests for my first son to sleep in. Once he was born and sleeping so contently, I was ecstatic. I told everyone about this wonderful invention. Even my husband, who didn't really discuss anything baby, had tremendous things to say about the nest. Two and half years later, we had another son, he also slept in the nest. And as expected slept beautifully. Now, four and a half years later we find ourselves with a new baby daughter. I'm sure she will sleep just as well in the nest once we get one.
It seems my sister in law who didn't know exactly what it was, threw it out!!!!!!!!!!! Can you imagine? We still have the metal frame, but the fabric nest is a thing of the past. Maybe it's a sign; new model baby needs new model nest fabric. Is there anyway that I can order just the fabric nest? The store where we purchased no longer exists. I called around and no one seems to know where I can purchase one. Please let me know as soon as possible. My poor little girl is sleeping in a bassinet, of all things. After knowing the benefits of the nest it's hard to accept anything else!

Thanks,
Heather Hickman
Hi Ambrose,

I just wanted to tell you that we are expecting another baby early next year and what a relief it is to know that she will be using the hammock from her first day of life. There are so many products on the market for new parents, so many things that we bought for our last child, so many things we tried to help Jamie sleep before we found the hammock at 7 months old. We don't need any of these things for our new baby because we have the hammock. Jamie, now two years old, finally sleeps through the night -- it took him two years! But the night wakings were so much easier with the hammock, I'd wished we found it earlier.

Jamie transitioned to his crib at a year old, and still sleeps there. He doesn't show any interest in leaving it for a big-boy bed. But it's not going to be a problem for us since I know the new baby can be in the hammock at infancy easily through a year old. Even longer. It's also given me great comfort to know that our new baby will have a safe, comforting place to sleep that is also convenient for us -- for feeding, night wakings, and naps. No matter how hard it gets with a new baby, it will all be easier than it was with Jamie because we have the hammock and we know how well it fits our needs.

I've had many of your prospective customers contact me over the last two years, and many have offered to buy our hammock from us. You see, we didn't expect to have another baby, so why keep it? But I've kept the hammock because to me it's one of the very few things that I feel has been valuable enough to store "just in case". We've given away every other baby item we had for Jamie, but not the hammock. Thank goodness for us or I'd be buying another one from you!

Feel free to post this on your site if you want. Thanks again and take care!

Libby
U.S.A.

14th Sept 2002
libby_taylor@agilent.com

Our Reply to Libby

Dear Libby

Thank you for your wonderful letter. It is indeed heartening to know that there are parents who do care and are keen to pass on a 'good thing' to other parents

It is letters like yours that makes the long hard road of marketing this wonderful ivention all the more worthwhile

Thanks again and I wish you all the very best with your new baby

Regards

Ambrose CS Hooi
www.babyhammocks.com
amby@babyhammocks.com
Dear folks at Amby:

Many thanks for your fantastic product. My 8 month old is a dedicated breastfeeding sling-worn baby. He is used to catnapping when he chooses, and does not like to be put to bed. He wakes up at 1 1/2 to 2 hour intervals.

My hammock arrived yesterday, and I couldn't wait to try it out. I was not disappointed. For the first time in all his life, my baby allowed me to put him down for naps. I bounced him to a blissful sleep for an afternoon nap yesterday, and for both morning and afternoon naps today. He was wide awake when I placed him in the hammock, and in less than 10 minutes, he was in a relaxed sleep. May I also add that he did so with no crying or upset.

Although this magic effect did not give me relief last night, I have high hopes, as he actually smiles when I put him in the hammock. I'm certain it's because it reminds him of his sling. Nicholas is my third baby, and I have to say that I wish I had known of your product 6 years ago when I began parenting.

I only hope that for other parents' sake you will consider finding a distributor here in the U.S. I have already praised your product to two other nursing attachment parenting moms.

Thanks again,

Taylor M. Winston-McGrath
USA
28th August 2002
Dear sir or madam,

I own a Nature's Nest, (white with frill) and absolutely love it!! I have used it for both of my children, Sarah, now 4, and Reece, now 12 months. Because of my success in using it, and my constant raving about it and because it is an excellent, unique and attractive product, 3 of my friends have also purchased their own.

Now, my brother is finally ready to have children and I would love to pass on my nature's nest. The only problem is that I have lost the owner's manual, including assembly instructions, safety notes, and testimonials that are included in it. I live in Ontario and my brother lives in Vancouver, so I will be shipping the nature's nest out to him and he will have no way of knowing that it is assembled correctly, or how to use it.

Could you please send me a copy of this manual?

Thank you very much,

Heather Taylor
heather31@rogers.com

Heather Taylor
London, Ontario
Canada
25th August

Our Reply to Heather

Dear Heather

Thank you for your letter. Can we publish ?
Manual on it's way

Regards

Ambrose CS Hooi
www.babyhammocks.com
amby@babyhammocks.com
Name: Sara Graham
Email: saradarren@smartchat.net.au
Country: Australia
Subject: My baby's got the wiggles

Question: Dear Ambrose,
Thanks for such a brilliant product. We bought our hammock before Noah was born and put him in it from the day he came home from hospital and it has made our lives so much easier. My husband refers to it as the lifesaver! Our bub was really unsettled in the hospital until one of the widwives brought one of the hammocks into our room from the nursery. Noah then slept for 6 hours straight and had to be woken up to feed.

We were impressed and felt vindicated in our choice of bed. Although he is 5 months old and yet to sleep through the night he is so easy to settle in the hammock and sleeps for much longer stretches than he does in a cot. So you are very popular around our place.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Recently he has been wiggling in the hammock. We had tried moving him to a cot as we thought he might be uncomfortable but that has been an absolute disater and our previously happy boy is cranky because he is not sleeping as well so I am keen to get him back in the hammock.

I hope you can help.

Thanks again

Sara
13th August 2002

Our Reply to Sara

Dear Sara

Thank you for the lovely letter. Can we publish it in our website? Babies tend to move and wriggle around more in the hammock than in a cot.This is probably due to the tactile touch that they get from the hammock (as in the womb). As they move and wriggle around, they tone up their muscles. They may look as if they are uncomfortable and looking for more room, but they are not.

There is therefore no great hurry to put him in a cot

Why not just let him enjoy it till he's ready for his own bed.

Once again, thank you for your letter.

Regards

Ambrose CS Hooi
www.babyhammocks.com
amby@babyhammocks.com
Name: Maxine Northam
Email: northam@xtra.co.nz
Country: New Zealand
Subject: weaning from hammock

Question: Hi Ambrose,

My daughter Eloise has slept in a hammock from birth, she is now 8 mths old and is almost too big for it - we've put her into a cot but she just hates it!! What do you think is the best way to 'wean" her off the hammock . we have tried "cold turkey" which so far (just a few days) has involved a lot of screaming and tears (and that was just me!!).

Its understandable of course that she wants to stay in such a comfortable bed. Funnily enough though, she does sleep in a cot at her Grandparents house so it shouldnt be that foreign to her really. I hate to take her out of it, the hammock has been so brilliant.

We have a magazine in NZ called "little treasures" - I was planning to write in extolling the virtues of the Amby Hammock as we have had so much use out of it and virtually no-one I have spoken to over here has even heard of them. Is there a distributor in NZ? If so let me know and I can put it in my letter to the magazine.

We have taken our hammock everywhere with us and our daughter Eloise has been "hung" in many different houses. We even used the hanging mechanism from a "Jolly Jumper" and took it on holiday with us to Australia where she was hung in many different doorways and the odd wardrobe too.

Thanks for a great invention, I would love to let the rest of NZ know that there is an alternative to cots and Bassinets.

Maxine
New Zealand
13th August 2002

Our Reply to Maxine

Dear Maxine

Thank you for the lovely letter. Can we publish it in our website? Actually 8 months is not too 'old' for the hammock as our own kids, now 13 and 8 slept in it for 2 years. They actually like being 'squashed up' in the hammock. If she is too heavy, add another spring.

The FAQ page in our site www.babyhammocks.com may give you some ideas on 'weaning'. I wouldn't though. Why not just let her enjoy it till she's ready to get out, as no harm can come out of sleeping in the hammock till she's ready for her own bed.

If you are writing an article on the virtues of the hammock, please add our website address to it.

Once again, thank you for such a nice letter.

Regards

Ambrose CS Hooi
www.babyhammocks.com
amby@babyhammocks.com
Dear Ambrose,

We love our Amby ! When we got home from the hospital, our Amby was ready and waiting for our beautiful baby girl (7 lbs, 7 oz.)

Because she was a newborn, she seemed to roll around a bit in the hammock, till we found this (see photograph). This "Snuggler" seemed to work very well

I thought we would send you this picture so that you might be able to manufacture something similar and offer it as an accessory

Anyhow, hope all is well with you and your family

Thanks for an excellent product !!

Gretchen Venkatish

U.S.A
7th July 2002

Our Reply to Gretchen

Dear Gretchen

Thank you for your letter

Yes, I am sure that the "Snuggler" will help centre a newborn in the hammock

In fact we have just added this item as an accessory to our range.

We do appreciate your letter and are always pleased to receive feed back from parents

Thank you again,and all the best with your new baby girl.

Ambrose

Dear Ambrose,

I would like you to add one of these pictures of my son Uly in your web page. In the picture he was 1 month old. The picture was taken in Sydney, but we are Spanish and now we are moving to live in Barcelona. Now he is 3 months old and he loves the hammock, it is the only place where he goes to sleep without any crying, I hope the hammock makes him easy to adapt to a new place.

Thank you very much for your usefull web page.

best wishes.

Nuria
25th July 2002

Name: Sara Graham
Email: saradarren@smartchat.net.au
Country: Australia
Subject: My baby's got the wiggles
Question: Dear Ambrose,

Thanks for such a brilliant product. We bought our hammock before Noah was born and put him in it from the day he came home from hospital and it has made our lives so much easier. My husband refers to it as the lifesaver!

Our bub was really unsettled in the hospital until one of the widwives brought one of the hammocks into our room from the nursery. Noah then slept for 6 hours straight and had to be woken up to feed. We were impressed and felt vindicated in our choice of bed. Although he is 5 months old and yet to sleep through the night he is so easy to settle in the hammock and sleeps for much longer stretches than he does in a cot. So you are very popular around our place. Thankyou thankyou thankyou!!!

My question is this. recently he seems to be wiggling his way towards the head of the hammock and ends up on an angle with his head tilting downwards which looks very uncomfortable. Is there any way to prevent this from happening, or prevent the tilting and if not, is this position ok?

We had tried moving him to a cot as we thought he might be uncomfortable but that has been an absolute disaster and our previously happy boy is cranky because he is not sleeping as well so I am keen to get him back in the hammock.

I hope you can help.

Thanks again

Sara

7th July 2002

Our Reply to Sara

Dear Sara

Thank you for your letter

You can do one of two things. You can either place your baby lower towards the 'foot' end of the hammock, which will have the effect of raising the 'head' end or you can follow the "How to raise the head end of the Hammock" instructions - see attachment.

We do appreciate your letter and are always pleased to receive feed back from parents

Thank you again

Ambrose
Dear Ambrose,

I am sure that you receive hundreds, if not thousands of letters, but I had to write and thank you for inventing such a marvelous product.

I first heard about it while pregnant, but gave into others' reservations about it being "different." Fast forward to life with a newborn: I learn that sleep is a very big issue.

The only place our daughter, Fiona, would sleep was in our arms. We bought a lovely crib, a bassinet, and tried letting her sleep with us. Fiona simply couldn't fall into a deep sleep.

Over time, Fiona started adjusting to her crib, at least at night. However, she always started out looking uncomfortable until sleep took over. She would arch her back and make strange sounds with her pacifier, trying to get herself to sleep. It simply didn't look or sound natural. Getting her to nap soundly during the day was out of the question.

I bought a sling, and saw how easily Fiona fell into a deep sleep in it, but found it impractical to carry her constantly throughout the day. My thoughts wandered back to the hammock. The concept was the same as the sling-- would it work? Since a well-rested baby equals a happy baby, I decided to take a chance on the Nature's Nest Baby Hammock.

Ordering from you was such a pleasure. You and your staff answered all of my questions immediately, and the hammock made its way from Australia to Chicago, Illinois within only 2 days. Although I am not mechanically inclined, I was able to assemble the hammock without difficulty.

The hammock is attractive, well-designed and seems to be a very high quality product. I still can't get over how reasonably priced it is, to boot! The bottom line is, did it work for Fiona? I can honestly answer YES!

As soon as I put her in the hammock, she began to smile and coo. When I noticed she was getting sleepy, she actually fell into a deep sleep during the day! She has fallen asleep in the hammock immediately or within minutes consistently. I feel relaxed (a prized feeling for a new mother) knowing that I am doing the very best for my baby by providing her with a developmentally appropriate place in which to sleep. Fiona sleeps exclusively in her hammock, and seems to be enjoying every moment of it.

I am attaching a picture of Fiona, blissfully asleep.

We'd be honoured to have our letter and Fiona's picture published.

Thank you again from . . .

Elena, Mark, and Fiona Lashmet
Chicago, Illinois USA
May 18th 2002

We used the baby hammock with our first child and found it fantastic. Imogen will be four in October and we are expecting our second child in June. Is it advisable to replace any feature of the hammock within a specific period of time? Thank you

David & Rikki slack-Smith
12th May 2002
Our Reply to David and Rikki

Dear Rikki and David

Thank you for your letter

No, there is no need to replace any parts of the hammock unless they are obviously worn. Many families have used the same hammock for 3-4 consecutive babies over a period of 6-10 years. Many Child Care Centres (heavy and constant usage)have also used them for years without having to replace them.

We make them too well. It would have been better (from the sales point of view) to make them "self destruct" after 24 months, I guess :-)

Regards

Ambrose.
Hello Ambrose

I am a Sydney mum of a lovely 6 and 12 year old now and recall the use of the hammock with great joy. Many years have passed, but I still remember clearly the days and evenings when I said to myself how lucky I was to have seen the ad for the Natures Nest Baby Hammock not long after it started being manufactured.

I remember having a long conversation with you, Ambrose. You were so very helpful and when you told me the story of your own daughter I didnt need much more convincing. I recall too being hesitant before purchasing, because of the previously stated "different factor" and even asked nurses in the hospital whether it was ok. You see I wanted to bring the new hammock I bought to the hospital to get their "approval" and to also get my baby to enjoy the hammock from day one.

Well, the reaction of the nurses was so positive, I know for a fact that the hospital bought dozens of hammocks since then as a service to the mums. Lots of other hospitals have used the hammocks throughout Australia. I believe its done a world of good for "special care" and drug dependent babies in some hospitals. Hammocks have also been used in a number of child care centres and I have a friend who is a Director of a centre who said to me that "she could not cope without them".

I saw the hammock after I bought it featured on a science program here called "Beyond 2000" in about 1992 and I understand that many thousands were sold since then. This wasnt "paid editorial" and the producers of the show could see the benefits of the hammock.

I believe after having used the hammock, that there were no real safety issues and I have read of studies that see a positive correlation between hammock use and child development. SIDS is a big thing in Australia and I believe no baby has suffered this whilst in the hammock.

Seeing my daughters' obvious comfort in the hammock even on those "rough nights" was proof enough that my purchase was well worth it. I brought the hammock with me to friends places too. A couple of my friends who have also used the hammock have said similar things. So I would not have hesitation in recommending the hammock to any parent.

Ambrose, even after all these years, Thank you.

Emilia
Sydney,Australia
15th May 2002
Hello!

We are parents to four children and only our last one has had the Amby privelege. We're not sure how we'll make it up to the first three. :-) Our son is now 5 months old and he and we love his bed. Thank you for a great product! Recently we have been looking for a jumper... and we remembered that Amby had a jumper (Jump Jump). So, now we are wondering how much (including freight) the Jump Jump will cost. We are in California in the USA. And by the way, thanks for your prompt delivery of our Amby hammock, even amidst the Sept 11 tragedy. We received immediately after package deliveries resumed during that time.

I love and rave about your product

Thank you for all your help!

M/M Van Vooren
California, USA
April 2002
Name: Sharon Mech
Email: sharon@cmhc.com
Country: USA
Subject: Hi + Question

Question: Hi Ambrose!
Wulf is now almost 4 months old, a happy, big headed, barrel chested, broad-shouldered breastfed knuckle dragger. (We breed'em for shotput !)
We use our Nest for naps, and about the first third of the night - the rest of the time we co-sleep,'cause he's hungry & for some reason or other I don't fit into the Nest with him. He accepts his Nest FAR better than either of my previous kids tolerated a standard crib. Yaaaaaaay! It's also really great for our tiny house, since it has such a small footprint.
Because it's so compact, and we've had some rather cold weather, I made him a little quilt just for his Nest. If you follow quilting, it's in the Ribbon Stars pattern. Four quilt squares make a little quilt perfectly sized for the Nest. My one question - I think maybe we've got something just slightly askew. Whenever he's in the Nest, he almost ALWAYS rolls to the right. The bottom of the Nest seems to hang just a bit off horizontal when he's in it. He seems to LIKE sleeping with his face in the mesh, but I'd prefer it to hang properly - if this is indeed improper. Any ideas? Thanks for a great product - oh and I just recommended it to someone else...again.

Sharon
20th March 2002

Our Reply to Sharon Mech's email

Hi Sharon
Thanks for the great letter. Can we publish ??
As for the hammock skew, our son, now a strapping, broad shouldered, brilliant, sporty, artistic :-) 8 year old, slept, for 2 years (or almost) with his face smacked hard up against the side of the hammock, rendering one side of it perpetually soaking wet (he was a consumate dribbler).
So, no problems. The skew might be uncomfortable to our eyes, but babies don't care, as long as they feel snug, secure and comfortable.

Regards
Ambrose CS Hooi

Dear folks at Amby:

Many thanks for your fantastic product. My 8 month old is a dedicated breastfeeding sling-worn baby. He is used to catnapping when he chooses, and does not like to be put to bed. He wakes up at 1 1/2 to 2 hour intervals.

My hammock arrived yesterday, and I couldn't wait to try it out. I was not disappointed. For the first time in all his life, my baby allowed me to put him down for naps.

I bounced him to a blissful sleep for an afternoon nap yesterday, and for both morning and afternoon naps today. He was wide awake when I placed him in the hammock, and in less than 10 minutes, he was in a relaxed sleep. May I also add that he did so with no crying or upset. Although this magic effect did not give me relief last night, I have high hopes, as he actually smiles when I put him in the hammock.

I'm certain it's because it reminds him of his sling. Nicholas is my third baby, and I have to say that I wish I had known of your product 6 years ago when I began parenting. I only hope that for other parents' sake you will consider finding a distributor here in the U.S. I have already praised your product to two other nursing attachment parenting moms.

Thanks again,

Taylor M. Winston-McGrath
USA
McTeeDubya@aol.com
Hi Ambrose!

Last summer I spend some time looking for a new sleeping arrangement for our third child. For my first two I used an old bassinet (in which either slept well), so I ended up throwing it out. I needed a small bed/crib, but had little luck finding one. Until one day when I in an ad read about someone selling a "Nature's Nest'. I thought it was just another crib brand - but fortunately I was very wrong.

The lady selling it tried to explain it to me, and she also added that both her kids had slept through the night @ 5 weeks using it.

Yeah right!!! I thought.

But when I hung up I went on the net, and after finding your site, and reading about other peoples experiences, I was hooked. Could this be true!?

And why on earth had I not heard about it before? My two first were horrible sleepers.

That night me and my husband went and bought it. Our two year old fell asleep in it that night, and when I put her in there when she had tempertantrums, she would calm down right away.

Things looked promising.

Angelina was born Oct.30th -01, and she has never had any regular nightfeedings at all!!! It happens that she wakes up to feed, like last week when she was running a cold, but on a regular basis she sleeps 6-8 hours per night! Incredible compared to my other two!

She is also what people refer to as a "Content happy baby" I give so much credit to the bed. I know it's a huge reason why she sleeps so well, especially since she gets gassy and spits up a lot, just like my other two used to do. I hope she can use it at least for a year.

My biggest frustration, and something I often wonder about, is - Why hasn't anybody I know heard of this wonderful product?

- How come you can't buy them anywhere in North America?

I mean, this bed is not just another new thing on the market, it has proven to actually improve babies with health problems, stop colic etc., etc. I wish they would promote them and advertise for them just like any other baby product that improves the lives of new families.

Are there any logical answers to these questions?

I would appreciate to know! Lots of gratitude
Kaisa
USA
hulkkotk@jet2.net

23 Febuary 2002

Dear Ambrose,

Thanks for your help and your prompt response, you have my permission to add this letter to your site.

If you have them please also add the raw cotton sheets to this order, together with whatever extra shipping might apply.

I have attached a photo of our baby, Luke, in his hammock. We strung Christmas lights over it the night we decorated the house for Christmas (he slept right through it!). Of course we did not leave the lights up as he would not have gotten any sleep.

This hammock has saved us from so many sleepless nights. Thanks again for your great product.

Regards

Lisa Johnston
USA
Jan 2002

Hi Ambrose,

I got the hammock and I am so thankful for such great invention! my baby loves it! he was so used to be held in my arms or his dad's arms that he wouldn't fall asleep if he wasn't being held and rocked, and walked around, you know, and he is now over 15 lbs! he looks so comfortable in it, and what a relieve for our backs! thank you and regards,

Tatiana, mother of Guillermo, 3.5 months

U.S.A.
29th Sept, 2001

Dear Ambrose,

You have my permission to put this letter on your site.

I think everybody should have one of these especially after reading about how very helpful it is to me and my family!

My son, Casey, would never sleep for more than 1-2 hours at a time when he was born. He hated the Bassinet, Crib, even our bed. Casey also was colicky and had reflux. He would only sleep on my chest. My mom found out about the Amby over the Internet. When she first told me about it I thought, " A baby hammock? That won't work." I had nothing to lose but sleep, so I ordered it.

It arrived quickly. It was there in a couple of days. At 6 weeks old, suddenly he started sleeping through the night. At 2 months old he was sleeping about 8 hours through the night without a feeding. I couldn't believe it! Starting at 3 months old until now (4 1/2 months old) he sleeps from about 8 - 8:30 PM to 7 - 7:30 AM! 11 hours of total sleep with no feedings! And he takes two, 2 hour naps a day.

I recommend this to everyone I know! If we had to live on a deserted Island and could only take one item with us, it would definitely be Casey's Amby!

Jaime

Orange County, California
Received May 8, 2001

Our Reply to Jaime's email

Dear Jaime

Thank you so much for your wonderful letter. It is extremely gratifying to learn that one's invention has done so much good to so many babies (and parents).

We are lucky indeed to have parents like you, who take the trouble to share their experiences of the Amby Baby Hammock with others.

We too feel that every baby should sleep in one as it is such a great bed for young infants. It also makes nurturing a baby 'joyful'(which should be the case) rather than 'stressful'(which should not be the case) as babies are there to be loved and enjoyed !!

We all know (or should know) that when a baby sleeps well, everything else will come together. They will then feed well, grow well and become alert, happy and contented individuals.

It is indeed a sorry sight to see some babies (and parents) suffering simply because of something as simple as providing them with a comfortable and appropriate baby bed.

We thank you for your trouble and will certainly publish your letter.

Casey looks beautiful in the photographs :-)

Ambrose Hooi
www.babyhammocks.com
Amby Baby Hammock Pty Ltd

Hi Ambrose,

I just wanted to let you know that we received the hammock yesterday at noon. I believe it only took 24 hours to ship from Australia to California! Now that's fast !!

Last night we used the hammock on Jamie and he really took to it right away. Instead of waking up his normal 6+ times a night, he only really woke up twice (to eat). Before, he would frequently wake up uncomfortable in his crib, at which time we'd have to rock him back to sleep. This would occur every hour or so. In the hammock, he starts to stir, which immediately activates the gentle bouncing and swaying of the hammock. It puts him right back to sleep.

I'll keep you posted of how it continues to go. I really think it will only get better from here!

Thank you!
Libby Taylor
jtsquid@mindspring.com
California, USA
10th March 2001

Hi Ambrose,

You do have my permission to use the letter.

Jamie's been sleeping in the hammock since we received it. While he's still not sleeping through the night (he just seems to be a night feeder) he is waking less due to being uncomfortable. Also, feeding him at night is less disrupting because we just pull the hammock up to our bed and feed him while we're still lying down (we don't even take him out of the hammock).

Cheers,
Libby
jtsquid@mindspring.com
California, USA
17th March 2001

Here is Luke in his hammock. He really loves it... He's 4 weeks old now. These photos were at 1 week old.

I love looking at the sweet babies in the photo gallery, and tell everyone how wonderful this hammock is.

... We really do love our hammock. It was a gift from a friend, and was positively the best ever.

Ashley
Tallahassee, FL
Received 5th March 2001

Dear Ambrose

We've just moved house recently and things have been very hectic, I've just viewed the photos of Shauna in the photo gallery that I sent you, they look great. The following is a short ( I'll try and make it short! ) note on our daughter and our use of the hammock which you may publish if you wish. Thankyou Sandy.

We cannot thank you enough for this wonderful product,I purchased it after seeing an old advertisement in a baby mag and contacting you for info. I have never known any one with one, but thought it made common sense and seemed a lot more practical than a bassinette.

Well our daughter Shauna is now almost 10months old and shows no signs of wanting to give it up!

She was unexpectedly born with a congenitial heart defect, Aortic Stennosis, a narrowing of her aortic valve, and Mitral Regurge, her mitral valve does not shut properly, she has already had a balloon dilation of her aortic valve at 6 weeks of age in which she almost didn't come through, and will need major open heart surgery a some stage in the future.

As a result (we live in the country) we have made many trips to the city for specialist appointments and have found the hammock to be wonderful to be able to pack up and pop in the car and she is that much more settled in her own bed even though she is not in her own room when we stay with family.

We would have love to have used it during her 3 week hospital stay but it wasn't practical with all the monitors and procedures that we constantly going on on her. However, I did spot one mother bring one in the ward for her child.

One thing I have noticed is that it seems to be the older generation that really see the benefits of the hammock over the cot, I think a lot of the older people had hammock like cradles for their babies many years ago, but had to manually rock them, whereas in your Amby the hammock/spring system eliminates that and is a wonderful soothing experience for baby.

As our daughter is small for her age we hope to get a lot more use out of our hammock and put her straight into a bed and bypass the cot stage altogether.

We have also in the last few months been putting her in the jump jump, she also had congenitial hip dysplasia and wore a brace for 4months from the age of 1month, she is still not crawling but has become so much stronger in her hips and legs since using the jump jump, I think its probably been a good form of physio for her and sped things up a bit in her development in that area, and the hammock was I think a lot more comfortable for her to sleep in than a cot would have been for her with the brace on as it pulled her legs right up and back and tilited her pelvis up and stopped her from rolling whatsoever ,she had to wear it all the time except when having a bath! Thank God it was for only 4 months! I would not hesitate to reccommend it to any mother and think it is especially useful for children wearing a hip brace. Spread the word! Many thanks for a wonderful home grown product and a great website!

Sandy. Bunbury Western Australia.

Received 3rd March 2001

Hi Ambrose,

Our baby hammock arrived safe & sound today. Thanks again for being so prompt! I also wanted to compliment you on your web site & customer service.

My husband and I are IT professionals, involved mostly in customer support (well, I've finished 'paid employment' now that our first baby is due!).

Working in this industry, we're keen to encourage internet businesses so aim to use them where-ever possible. Unfortunately many sites have been disappointing as far as available information & response times are concerned. This is certainly not the case with the baby hammocks site, where we found an abundance of info and prompt, pleasant service. So thank you!

It's good to know that some people are getting it right. Keep up the good work!

Regards,
Sheyne.

email: sladmore@hotmail.com

Received 2nd February 2001

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!

That is all I have to say. My baby girl Brooke, who is now 4 months, has just started sleeping in a hammock. She has reflux and I was not getting more than a few hours at a stretch from her at night until Monday. Now she is sleeping through. Putting her to bed used to be a major. Now it is a breeze. She is normally asleep before I even finish tucking her in. Thank you very very much. I just wish I had one 4 months ago. I have already recommended it to a friend who has an unsettled baby and she is scouring the shops for one as well. By the way, how long can babies stay in hammocks? Can you get replacement hammocks?

Karen, Neil, Talia (2) and Brooke Cuthbert.
The now much more rested family from Auckland, New Zealand.

Received 20th October 2000

hello I was wondering about the foam mattress in the hammock can it be washed? There only seems to be washing instructions for the cover. also can mattress protectors be used (the ones that are cloth one side and plastic on the other side)

By the way my son is 2 months old and after a rocky start with colic,crying and sleeping in a crib my mother got us a hammock and now he sleeps like a dream he seems to love going to bed!!! thanks !
hope to hear from you soon
Kedra
Australia

Received 10th October 2000

Answer: Foam mattress can be washed in warm water. Mattress protector can be used

Dear Nature's Nest

I bought one of your baby hammocks about 9 months ago from your website sent to the UK. It saved our lives and gave us the first decent nights sleep in ages. As out kid has constitutional eczema it helped dissipate her itching energy.

But now she has grown too big for it 95 cm. Can you possibly make us a bigger version ....otherwise we will all die ....!!

Yours

David Buttle
M.D.
U.K.

Received 10th October 2000

hello ambrose.

just wanted to pass this along: joshua's been hit with a cold and accompanying ear infection this past week... a pretty bad one. he's close to better now.

outside of our arms, the nest is the only place he found any rest. as a matter of fact, we would lay him down in it awake and he'd fall asleep. last night, he slept for nine hours.

best -- don

Received from don and linda morrell,
Anchorage, Alaska
Received 20th August 2000

What can I say - that hammock is amazing!!! My EXTREMELY unsettled baby just loves it. Could never get him to sleep in his cot very well. Doesn't sleep for long, but he does sleep now. THANK YOU!
Received from Mandy, in NSW
8th August 2000

Hi
Here is my baby (Sidarth Nama is his name) sleeping blissfully in his Amby. Now he really "sleeps like a baby". Thanks Ambrose, our whole family loves the hammock. I tried very hard to wake him up for the photo shoot, but to no avail!! And I'll be sure to recommend it to others

regards
Vijaya, U.S
Received 21st July 2000

Sidarth, 7 weeks, in the all cotton 'Blue Burro' hammock

hello ambrose.

here's our boy (born 6/17/00), sleeping soundly in your wonderful thingamagig. i'm sure you get dozens of similar pictures.

(smile) of course, ours is the best.

...we'll be recommending your good work to anyone we know who is having or has a baby.

best regards,
don and linda morrell,
Anchorage, Alaska

Received 26th June 2000

(Read about the work of musician, Don Morrell at www.donmorrell.com)

Dear Ambrose,

Thank you for letting me know that my little angel has found fame at such an early age! I couldn't help sending a link to everyone I know, so I guess I'm a victim of the proud parent syndrome already....

I have to say that although I don't know what it's like having a baby without a baby hammock, it certainly seems to work well for us. Emily has slept through the night (11pm to 6am) since she was four weeks old, which apparently is quite good (although I would have liked it to have worked for the first four weeks as well!)

And this is with a baby that's entirely breastfed, so is even more of a miracle, according to the experts (which is everyone apart from me). Both the visiting midwife and the health visitor have been very impressed with the design, and I've passed on your leaflets so you may well get some more enquiries from the UK (perhaps from our Prime Minister?!).

...

Kindest regards,

Nikki and Emily, UK
xx
Received 31st May 2000

Colin Rose, co-author of Fundamentals with Gordon Dryden from the "Learning Fundamentals" has recently endorsed the Amby Natures Nest Baby Bed.

"The natural rocking motion and soft womb- like feel of a Amby Natures Nest Baby Bed can actually enhance the intellectual, physical and emotional development of a baby sleeping soundly within it. Since the Amby Baby Bed actually costs less than a conventional cot or crib it is surely a must have for new borns. I only wish it had been available for my children."

Colin Rose,author,world expert on learning, Chairman of Accelerated Learning Systems

Received from Claire Turnham

Received 4th May 2000

Dear Ambrose,

I received my hammock last Wednesday 23rd Feb. It only took two weeks to arrive which was a very nice surprise as I was expecting three to four weeks. Since it arrived night time has become better and better. This time last week (before the hammock arrived) we were pacing the floor with Ben most nights, the only way to get him back to sleep was to feed him. (This is ok but I couldn't do it 5 or six times every night.) The first night was good he didn't sleep all night but it was a marked improvment on previous nights. Each night would get better and he would sleep longer between feeds.

Last night was the best he went to bed at 8pm and slept until 7.30am without waking at all!!

The hammock is fantasic. I am so glad a decided to buy it. Thank you, Thank you.

Regards
Clare, U.K.
email: clare_bayley@mac.com
http://homepage.mac.com/clare_bayley/
Received 29th Feb 2000

Dear Ambrose,

In 1991 I purchased my sister a baby hammock just prior to the birth of her first child. It was not an intended gift, I stumbled across it in a shop in Adelaide while I was wondering what to buy her.

She and her daughter loved it. The cot that she had previously purchased was rarely used during the first 12 months of her 2 children.

Now nine years later I find that I am pregnant with my first child, and on the top of my list of baby items to buy is a baby hammock.

I have been offered bassinets and cots by friends who no longer need them and I have thanked them kindly but refused them. My baby will sleep in nothing else but a baby hammock.

Thankyou
Helga Baxter
email: ambrose@senet.com.au
Received 26th Feb 2000

Dear Ambrose,

Just wanted to let you know that we got the bed last week and have had great success. My son is sleeping much more soundly and seems so much less frustrated by being laid down to sleep. Many times he falls off to sleep without even crying. If he does cry it doesn't last long. And I've watched him wake and be lulled back to sleep by the bounce of the bed. I am so thankful! Up until this point I've been very reluctant to let him "cry it out at night" as he was clearly so uncomfortable that it seemed unfair. Now I do let him cry a bit and instead of getting increasingly frustrated and angry, he often easily falls back to sleep. This is the most sleep I've had since his birth 7 months ago!

Please let me know if I can be a contact person for others in the US who might be interested in the bed but would like to talk to someone who has used one before purchasing.

Again, my sincere thanks,

Beth Gerrard (Seatle WA USA)
email: bethge@u.washington.edu
phone: 206 545 8061
Received 18th Jan 2000

Dear Ambrose,

My name is Tony Garnet. I am a family physician living in Victoria, British Colombia. My wife and I between us have 5 children. Our youngest one is Haley who is four and a half months old. We heard about the Nature's Nest during my wife's pregnancy and the two of us read the details about the product and found them to be extremely appealing.

The most striking benefit has been that Haley has slept, since 6 weeks of age, uninterruptedly through the night for 11 to 12 hours.

From a medical point of view the most important feature for me is that the Nature's Nest maintains the baby in a supine position with the head elevated. It has a spring which allows soothing vertical motion and this duplicates a natural intra-uterine type movement. Nature's Nest is also portable and is extremely attractive.

Sleep deprivation creates a major stress for new parents and I would highly recommend Nature's Nest to anyone.

Dr. Tony Garnet

Family Physician

Victoria, British Colombia

Dear Ambrose,

We received the hammock two days ago. It's wonderful. My son loved it right away. It's the only place where he has been able to sleep for the last month, with the exception of mommy's or grandma's arms. It's amazing. We couldn't be happier. This is a baby who simply would not or could not sleep in a crib or bassinet.

This product should be marketed in the US because there is a growing number of individuals within the general population (as opposed to certain subcultures that have always known about alternatives, (i.e. attachment parenting groups, etc.) here are becoming aware of the need for more naturalistic alternatives -----not to mention parents of colicky babies like mine who are willing to try anything to soothe their little ones. There is nothing available in the US like this hammock. I live in a major metropolitan area and consider myself to be an informed individual, and I have never seen or heard about anything like this. I've shown the hammock to some friends who were impressed as well. I'm going to make my pediatrician aware of your company, too.

Thanks again, Ambrose.

Dr.Lisa Marquis (Redford MI USA)
email: Magicrabbit7@aol.com
Received 17th Jan 2000

Hi there.

I just wanted to let you know that I bought my hammock 8 years ago, and can't recommend it highly enough! I'm currently using it for my fourth child, and I found, as I did with all the others, that his sleeping patterns became settled within two days of coming home to the hammock. As a mum,sleep becomes a priority, and without it in hospital, I was a mess. The hammock is a real sanity saver in our household - thanks again for a sensible idea brought to fruition!

Tracey Foxcroft
email: foxcroft@corryong.albury.net.au
Received 23rd February 2000

This comment was published in the guestbook of the National SIDS Council of Australia website (www.sidsaustralia.org.au) in September, 1999.

Name: Ray Willis
Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From: Sydney NSW
Time: 1999-09-13 09:03:38
Comments: I saw the letter from "A Volunteer" in the latest issue of SIDSnews which I saw on the desk of a colleague. Both our children were very reluctant "back sleepers" when put down in an ordinary cot or bassinette. However, the nswer to our problem was the Amby Natures Nest Baby Hammock. When they were put down we just gently rocked them to sleep in a few minutes. Worked like a charm - even when Mum was out on a "girl's night out" and Dad was left holding the baby armed with a bottle of "Express Dairy" milk. The product was an Australian invention and we could take it anywhere because you could take it apart and carry it the boot and put it up quickly when you got where you were going. We even carried it with us when we went overseas by air. Anyway it was quite cheap and there seems to be a second hand market - we put ours in the Trading Post and it went to a new home the first weekend. I think they have a web site http://www.babyhammocks.com or words to that effect.

I would first of all like to congratulate Amby Baby Hammock for such a great product. Our daughter was a difficult baby right from birth, finding it extremely difficult to sleep. For the first five months of her life she did not sleep one complete night. We took her to doctors and specialists and nothing changed until I bought the hammock. From that day onwards our daughter sleeps just about all night every night. Our lives have greatly improved. This is definitely the best product I have ever bought.

Jeffery
Minchinbury NSW

We bought the Mobile Baby Hammock for our son Daniel early in November. I heard about it through our physiotherapist who was very impressed with the concept and design. I bought it although I have never met anyone who had one.
The hammock has many real advantages:

the up and down bouncing movement calms my son when he is irritable. Daniel sometimes rocks himself to sleep
the design of the sling allows you to wrap your baby well and makes it much harder to kick his covers off
it is very difficult for him to roll on to his face
there are no pressure points on him. His weight is evenly distributed.

We have travelled with it interstate, erecting it in motel rooms and family members houses. It uses little space in the boot. We live in a two story town house and when my son was very young, I would move the hammock down stairs in the morning and back up again at night. This mobility was wonderful in the early days. Its is quite light though very stable and well made.

As my son has never known anything but the hammock, I will in short never know if it has made life any easier with my baby but I have always been extremely happy with it and he prefers it to his cot.

Janet Elliot
Charlestown, N.S.W., Australia

My daughter screamed for the first three months of her life until I found Natures Nest baby hammock. The first time she was placed in it brought the usual screaming until I started to bounce her up and down. Within a minute, she had stopped screaming and actually looked content.... Within three minute she was actually asleep and slept solidly for three and a half hours, (the longest sleep she had before lasted 20 minutes). After a week of sleeping in the hammock, she is now a happy and relaxed little girl who is actually enjoying her life... Congratulations to the brilliant inventor of this wonderful product (who obviously had a screaming baby !!)

Mrs P. Chenowyth
Queensland, Australia

Quite by chance I came to hear about the hammock during my pregnancy.......... During my stay in hospital my baby was unsettled and had a broken pattern of sleep. From the first day home in his hammock he has been easy to settle. I believe that the hammock is Godsent ! I can have my baby near me whenever I move around the house as it is so easy to move it around..................... I tell everyone I know about my wonderful purchase because I feel that every baby should have one. That is why I am writing to you. Please do more advertising so that more parents will benefit from using your wonderful product.....

Mary
Pakuranga Auckland New Zealand

I am writing to thank you for designing such a useful piece of baby furniture as the Amby Baby Hammock. Since my purchase of the unit three months ago, I have been sleeping my daughter in it day and night and find that it has significantly reduced her restlessness. I spend far les time walking the floor with her, so feel less exhausted and she seems to wake more refreshed and be a happier baby during her waking hours. My interest is a professional as well as a personal one. As I am a clinical psychologist by training and have spent a number of years counselling in both Community Health Centres and Child Guidance Centres, my work often involved me with parents suffering stress caused by sleepness nights or caring for an unsettled, miserable baby during the day. I'm sure there will be less of that problem around as these hammocks gain popularity ! I wish you and your company all the best ....

Julia Dance B.A. M. Psych.
Maylands, SA 5069 Australia

After two severely colicky and reflux babies, I felt my head was coming off ! We went through the endless channels of trying all the drugs available and all the machinery in the world, which to our horror seemed to make things worse, not better ! The most we could look forward to was a 20 minute to 1 hour sleep, day or night! Praise the Lord we found Natures Nest which suddenly meant 7 to 10 hour stretches- and it only went better. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

C. Prince
Michigan, USA

"This is by far the most suitable bed for young babies in the market.... The womb-likeness of this bed offers the security and rhythm that no other bed can offer. The position they lie in is so natural offering a perfect environment for sound sleep and development".

Dr. G.A. de Boccard
Geneva, Switzerland

Your personal details will be kept private. See our Privacy Statement

Home

More on the Baby Hammock Story Letters from Parents Letters from Institutions Hospitals and Child Care Centres

Hammocks and Premature Babies Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Ask the Inventor Awards, Tests and Standards

Uses and Specifications Pricing Information SECURE ONLINE ORDERING