It is known that for the first few months of their life, newborns spend most of their time sleeping. On average, a newborn sleeps a total of 16 hours or more a day.
A popular choice for putting babies to sleep is a baby hammock, also called yao lan. It is a widely-known contraption in Southeast Asia and are also called sarung buaian in Malay or jhoola in Hindi.
What is Yao Lan?
In Chinese, yao lan means ‘swinging basket’, therefore in essence, it is designed as a hammock-type basket for a baby to sleep in via the motion of swinging. It is usually made of cotton material or batik, and is attached to a spring that either hung from the ceiling or a door-frame.
There is also the modern type that is made of cotton-mesh material to replace the batik and it comes with a motorised spring to set off the rocking motion.
Why Are They So Popular?
Perhaps it is one of those traditional things that society is unwilling to give up because of sentimental and traditional values, or perhaps yao lan is still popular because of its convenience and affordability.
One thing for sure is that many still believe that it can help to effectively put a baby to sleep because of the rocking motion. On top of that, they also believe that putting babies to sleep in yao lan or hammock instead of hard mattresses will give the baby a nicely rounded head.
While it is true that babies love being rocked as it mimics the rocking and swaying movement of being in the womb and giving them a sense of security, it can still pose some risks that can lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Are They Safe For Your Baby?
The consensus of child health experts when it comes to using yao lan is that it is generally unsafe for babies as it poses a high risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as mentioned earlier.
Based on a 2014 study published in the National Library of Medicine, a baby hammock should not be used for unsupervised sleep. This is because you can never predict when a baby is going to roll over, and if he or she does and is unsupervised, it may compromise the upper airway of the baby and cause SIDS.
Dr Michael Lim Teik Chung, a consultant at the Division of Paediatric Pulmonary and Sleep at the National University Hospital Singapore cautions against the use of yao lan especially for babies beyond three months of age when infants generally start to roll over from back to front.
According to him, if a baby starts rolling within a hammock, it would be very difficult for him or her to roll back over or get out of a sideways or facedown position as they do not yet possess the strength to do so.
This can lead to entanglement or suffocation from their face being covered.
Moreover, infants less than a month old has a very mobile jaw, and flexion of the head on the neck in a baby hammock can potentially compromise the baby’s breathing.
If you have slightly older kids, they might be tempted to swing or tilt the hammock if left unsupervised, whether to play or look at the baby, and this can lead to some of the problems mentioned above.
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital also warns that vigorous rocking in a baby hammock may cause internal brain bleeding, similar to the shaken baby syndrome.
Another hazard of using a yao lan is the negative impact it has on the developing bone structures of an infant.
This can lead to posture issues as they get older due to the lack of back and shoulder support while they sleep in a baby hammock.
This is why child health experts recommend infants to sleep on firm and flat mattresses.
Lastly, letting your baby being rocked to sleep in yao lan may make him or her become dependent on the rocking motion to fall asleep. This may pose sleeping problems in the future as they get older.
Safety Tips To Keep In Mind If Choosing To Use Yao Lan
While there are many hazards and risks associated with yao lan, it is not illegal to use it and is still preferred by some parents.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing and using a yao lan:
1. Opt for the modern types that are made using more breathable cotton-mesh material in place of the batik option.
While some of the modern types are endorsed by experts, it is still best to check with the manufacturer about the safety features of the baby hammock.
2. Use a firm mattress or a roll-out bedding under the yao lan to provide some kind of security should your baby fall out of it.
Even with this precaution, ensure the yao lan is as close to the floor as possible but not so close that your baby might bump onto the mattress or floor.
3. Always place your baby on his or her back in the yao lan, and never in any other position.
This position has been shown to decrease the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths because babies are less likely to suffocate on other objects in this position.
4. Keep the yao lan free of other objects and that includes pillows, blankets, or even soft toys as there is a chance that a baby could roll over and suffocate on these things.
5. If you are planning to get the portable type of yao lan, make sure you get the solid square frame rather than the collapsible frame that hangs the hammock of a triangular point as the latter has a higher chance to topple over.
Keep the above considerations in mind when buying a yao lan for your little one to ensure optimum safety.
Good sleep and rest are essential for overall development in children, and a baby might need special attention if using yao lan.