Thanks to Kasia's kindness, I had the opportunity to see how a hammock performs in practice. As a physiotherapist working with children on a daily basis, I examined it from the perspective of its construction and its impact on a child's posture development.

The construction itself is very stable – it can handle much greater weight, but due to the stroller's load capacity, I do not recommend carrying children heavier than 18-20 kg in it. I would also pay attention to the child's height – I believe that little ones up to 110/115 cm in height will easily fit into the hammock. It's important that the child's head does not protrude above the upper edge of the seat during the ride. The positioning of the straps is very well thought out and provides excellent support for the entire structure. The child's position is adjustable using the straps that attach the hammock to the stroller's frame. The fasteners themselves are well made and securely hold everything in place. The material also appears to be very durable and user-friendly. The hammock itself does not have any back or hip supports for the child, which would significantly limit its versatility.

The child's position looks exactly as if they were suspended in a regular hammock. The spine is bent, while the legs comfortably rest in the stroller's basket. The entire structure is like an additional level of the stroller, so it functions exactly like a regular stroller. When considering the development of posture, it's important to remember that prolonged adoption of any forced posture is not advisable. Even the best-designed stroller will affect posture negatively if a child sits in it for 8 hours a day. If a parent has doubts about whether such a solution is suitable for their child, they can always consult with their physiotherapist. From experience, I know that sometimes children require different solutions, but these are individual cases.

I do not see any contraindications for children to use a hammock. The hammock is also great fun for kids! I would like moms to remember this when choosing equipment for their children – we often focus more on the "wonderful properties" and forget who these devices are intended for.

The hammock has one more feature worth mentioning – the comfort of the mom (or whoever is pushing the stroller). It's lightweight, handy, doesn't get in the way when walking, and therefore doesn't strain an already burdened spine. It's easy to fold and store, and creative parents will find additional uses for it.

So, would I recommend purchasing a hammock to the parents of my patients? Absolutely!

Kasia, congratulations on your idea, and I wish you all the best!

Paulina Listwan

MSc in Physiotherapy

Mgr fizjoterapii