A baby swing can be easily bought in your local stores. However, they can also be made at home with some basic carpentry skills and complete materials. Babies during the infancy stage enjoy the motion the baby swing makes. That’s why it is essential for parents or just for fathers alone to know how to make a baby swing. The process is quite easy.
Materials and directions are simple, and with our help, everything will run smoothly according to your liking. In this article, we’ll teach you how to make a homemade baby swing and all the necessary work to keep your baby swing nice and sturdy. We’ll focus more on the baby hammock swing as it is quite easy to make and only requires basic carpentry skills.
Making the Baby Hammock Swing
Making a DIY baby swing is beneficial and safer than buying ready-mades. You are sure enough that what your baby is using is safe and sturdy. If you want to learn and know how to make a baby swing, here are the steps in making it.
Step 1
Before we start, it is important to gather all the materials needed. The materials needed include:
- 3 meters of the desired fabric. (40inches wide)
- 5-6 inch spring
- Hook
- Steel ring
- Chain
- 1-inch thick board
- Quick-link or Snap hook
Step 2
You are creating the swing itself. In doing so, get your fabric then fold it inwards for about roughly 2 to 3 inches. Sew it all the way. This will improve the overall sturdiness of the swing. The better the fabric, the more it can withstand any pressure or weight applied to it.
Step 3
Once your baby swing fabric is made, this is the time we create the bottom part of the hammock swing. This is the place where your babysits. In doing so, get another piece of fabric about 14-inches if your fabric is about 40 inches in width. Measure 14 inches from the first seam, sew the fabric at that place and sew it across the width. This will provide enough support to carry your baby’s weight.
Step 4
Next, you should add an elastic band to the swing. In doing so, make a canal for the elastic band at the top of the hammock swing. Conclude where the baby’s head will be positioned. Measure around 8 inches on both sides of the bottom center of your hammock swing, where the bottom support was sewn.
On one side, fold over a ¾ inch strip fabric to generate a passage for the elastic band to pass through when installation comes. After, insert your elastic band through the passageway then sew it down on one end.
Step 5
Gather the material in a folding motion until it forms about 6 inches in total. Once you’ve gathered the fabric material, sew the elastic band on the other end. This will take the form of a hammock swing already.
Step 6
Make a pillow and pillowcase for your baby’s head to lay on in the swing. In doing so, get your foam and cut according to your preference of your baby’s head. Make the pillowcase the same with the fabrics used in making the hammock swing.
Step 7
Next is installing the hammock. Decide where will place your hammock swing. Before drilling, make sure that the ceiling is strong enough to hold your baby’s weight. Drill the ceiling and screw the hook. Make sure that the hook is screwed tightly. Make sure that the position is far away from obstacles. After the hook is placed, hook the spring. The spring will give the swing a nice bounce when swinging.
Step 8
Put a chain onto the spring. The length of the chain should depend on how low you want your baby hammock swing to be. The rule of thumb when making a baby swing is, the height shouldn’t be too high. The appropriate height should low to the ground.
Step 9
For your baby to have a nice space inside the hammock, get a wooden board, and cut a “U” shape design on both ends. Each “U” should be around ¾ inches wide and one and a half-inch onto the board. This wood will serve as the spacer in between for your hammock swing. Pull the ends of each of your fabric and let them run through both sides of the U-shaped edge of the wood and tie them tightly. Make sure that the bottom part of the swing is in the middle.
Step 10
Now, hang your hammock onto the steel ring. Make sure that the baby hammock bottom is centered. Adjust your wooden spacer in the middle to make sure your baby has a comfy ride in the swing.
Step 11
Place your baby inside the hammock. Be sure to place them around the pillow for a more comfortable time inside the swing. Make sure that everything’s in place, secure attachments, and screws. And that’s how to make a baby swing!
Baby Hammock Swing Tips
There are some things to consider if you want to know how to make a baby swing. There are some important reminders to follow to have a smooth-sailing swing and a comfortable ride for your baby. These include:
- Ensure that the screw holes are well-intact. Also, make sure that the screws are tight before placing your baby inside the hammock swing.
- Check the hole from time to time as it may start to come loose due to constant swinging.
- See to it that the fabric you are using is thick and durable enough to support your baby’s weight and the constant swinging.
- Never tie your baby swing too high. It must also be as low to the ground as possible.
- When putting your baby inside the baby swing, make sure they are lying on their back.
- Check your baby from time to time when they are on the swing.
- Never leave your baby out of sight when they are inside the swing.
Conclusion
Baby swings are one good way for your baby to have a soothing and cozy way to relax. That’s why it’s a plus if parents know how to make a baby swing at home. Although there are tons of varieties of baby swings in the market, they can be done with minimal preparations at home and with basic carpentry skills. Most of all, they are quite cheap and aren’t labor-intensive. It’s one good way to hone carpentry skills too. Know more about baby toys.