Starting My Inventors Log Blog!

One of my biggest regrets with the Swing Swaddle was that I didn't get a before video of Andrew trying to swing WITHOUT his safety harness. I would place him on the swing all by himself and with the littlest of pushes he would start trembling and screaming. I thought it a bit dramatic but it was what initially got me thinking about creating something to hold him in the swing and help him relax. Once I had created my prototype and got Andrew to try it I couldn't believe the night and day difference of his attitude from when he would swing without it vs. with the swaddle. And I don't have any video to prove before the harness but you can see in one of my first videos of him using his "swaddle" his reservations and fears were all gone. He didn't even hesitate to jump in the swing once he understood I had something to hold him in and he could trust it like his own mommy holding him in.

May 2012

Yes. I know it isn't 2012 anymore. The post date shows it is now 2019 but because life happens I was never able to log this journey like I wanted to before now. So I'm hoping this is the space where I can map out the timeline of how the Swing Swaddle came to be.  Here goes...

I remember it being May 2012 because I had just had my third baby and for the first time in awhile I wasn't working and had plenty of time to be home and just be a mom. Actually, we didn't have  a home (we were waiting on the purchase of a new home in Hyrum) so we were living with my parents till we could move. I love looking back at the videos we took at this time and seeing my childhood playground now being used by my own children. Super fun! And to have a swing set at hand was so nice because my oldest kids were at that perfect age of obsessing over swinging. Beckah (age 4) was a natural and swinging all by herself but my second oldest, although longing to swing big like his older sister, just couldn't work up the nerve or daring or whatever it takes to get a child to gamble on trusting his body to basically free fly through the air on such an insecure contraption as a swing. I guess I can't really blame him. I became his security by holding him in my lap while I swung big and if you've never attempted to hold a toddler whose reservations about swinging are clearly obvious (yet desperately wanting to do it anyway!) while trying to hold on to and pump the swing yourself then you won't understand why I complained I needed an extra set of arms and a massage for my lower back.

Here is the initial video I took of Andrew (age 2) using the very first swaddle design I created (many more to come!). I couldn't grow an extra set of arms but I decided to try my hand at creating something that could hold him in the swing for me. I had used some old sun worn fabric from a large shade umbrella my mom had recently decided to get rid of and some carabiner type clips my mom had lying around. I remember not being able to sleep all night after having the thought to make something like this because my brain was designing and figuring out how I would assemble it and what things would make it strong enough to hold a 2 year old. This initial design was only the beginning and especially after the success and excitement my 2 year old had with it/for it I quickly realized that this was something I, or he, was really going to use and it deserved more effort on my part to make sure it was even more safe and more strong if I was going to trust it with my most precious cargo!

To come... more video of the initial tests we did on the swaddles strength!

Lots More Fabric Choices!

We have been trying out so many new fabrics that it is hard to add them all into the blog separately. Below, in the Buy It Now section will be pictures of all the fabric choices available. When you go to purchase using the PayPal buttons to the right just pic any of the Swaddles listed and then leave me a comment with which fabric you would really like to purchase. Hopefully our new website, coming SOON, will be easier to manage with regards to updating current fabric choices for our swaddles and make it easier for you to purchase what you want, but until then hang in there with me and contact me if you have any problems!

NEW! All the old models have been updated to include new waist clips which help hold your rider in even better and allow for even younger riders to be able to use the Swing Swaddle!

ATTENTION! All those who own the old Swing Swaddle model and are interested in having the new adjustable waist clip feature added to their Swing Swaddle please contact me!

shildedesigns@gmail.com

I will add the waist clips at no cost to you EXCEPT the cost to get the Swing Swaddle to me. Let me know if you are interested. I'd love to help you out!

Taking Orders NOW!

Prices have been updated! Also, new fabric choices will be added soon so keep on the look out!

We are in business and want to take your order! You will find PayPal buttons in the side column to the right. No need to be a PayPal user, using the PayPal buttons will allow you to use any debit card to order your swaddle today!


The Swing Swaddle is on Etsy! Look for my shop SHildeDesigns and buy your Swing Swaddle through Etsy!

We are on FACEBOOK too! Check out our page at www.facebook.com/theswingswaddle and see who else likes the Swing Swaddle. Find photos and comments of satisfied customers.

What is the Swing Swaddle?

One day while playing outside with my children on Grandma's swing set my 2 year old decided that he wanted to swing big like his older sister. He didn't feel safe doing it on his own and quite frankly I didn't want him to either. After a miserable attempt to swing with him on my lap (my back ached from trying to hold on to him while swinging) I determined that I needed a better solution for helping my little one reach his new ambition of "bigger" swinging. That's when I came up with the idea for the Swing Swaddle- a swing harness that can be attached to a regular swing to provide safety and security for little swingers, and peace of mind for parents (not to mention back relief as well! ;))

How to Use

ATTENTION:

To prevent serious injury please read all instructions and warnings before use.

The Swing Swaddle is a child safety harness to be used for swinging only. Failure to follow these directions and warnings for proper attachment and use of the harness will result in serious harm to your child. 

WARNING:
•This swing harness has been designed for small children only, under adult supervision. Improper attachment, maintenance, use, or vandalism can damage harness and lead to serious injury. 
•Use only as instructed.
•To prevent injury use with adult supervision only. Never leave child unattended.
•Not intended for children unable to support themselves in a sitting position.
•Use responsibly. Harness is designed for typical back and forth swinging motion only. Do not push swing too high, twist the swing or jostle the child while in the swing. 

•This harness was not designed to be left outside in the weather. Exposure to chemicals, sun, heat, and excess moisture may weaken material and make the harness unsafe. Discard and do not use if wearing, tearing, or fraying of fabric or strapping is evident. 

How to Use:

DO NOT hook the harness too high in the front where your rider may be choked by the harness or too low in the front and back where the rider may fall out.

For older children who are able to sit and hold themselves in the swing, place them on the swing first, making sure they are holding on securely while you attach the Swing Swaddle harness. Secure the Swing Swaddle to the swing by clipping the two back snap hooks, one on each side of chain, to links that are at equal heights and that place the hooks and strapping between them just below the rider’s shoulder blades on their back. Let the Swing Swaddle hang limp and then pull the front panel of the Swing Swaddle underneath the swing and to the front of the rider, bringing it up in between the rider's legs. Secure the two front hooks, one on each side of chain, to links that are at equal heights and which place the hooks and strapping between them across the rider’s chest on their front. Make sure the Swing Swaddle is pulled tight enough from front to back to provide a secure hold around the rider. Secure waist clips and adjust straps for a snug fit.

* For older children the snap hooks usually hook just underneath their armpits and so the rider may be most comfortable with his arms outside of the harness and holding onto the swing's chains.

For younger children unable to hold themselves in the swing while attaching the Swing Swaddle, fully attach the front and back snap hooks of the harness to the swing as directed above, making sure the swaddle goes underneath the swing, and then carefully slide your child into the already secured harness. Make sure the hooks and strapping between them in both the front and back are at the proper heights as directed above. Secure waist clips and adjust straps for a snug fit.

* For younger children the snap hooks usually hook above their shoulders and so the rider may be most comfortable with his arms inside the harness, resting at his sides just above the waist clips. 

Note: For snap hooks to be properly fastened they must close all the way when hooked onto a chain. DO NOT USE the Swing Swaddle if hooks cannot be fastened properly.

(Above) Beckah is an older rider who knows how to hold herself in the swing which is why her harness is lower in the front. We were using her to make sure the harness fit taller children. The final model does allow the clips to clip at chest height on her. 

Clip the harness high in the back to keep your swinger safe.  

 For really young riders I would clip the harness even a little higher in the front than pictured above.  

Features

*easy open/close swivel snap hooks for quick attachment and release 

*strong nylon strapping reinforcing the front and back panels and adding extra strength and security to the attachment points

*nylon strapping continuing down into the crotch and attaching front to back creating a strong and durable skeleton  

*an elasticized band in the crotch which allows for adjusting to different styles of swings and a snugger, safer fit for different sized users

*fabrics which are a nylon rip resistant fabric and an outdoor decorative canvas that provide a sturdy build for the front and back panels with a soft batting inside for comfort and flexibility

NEW!  All the old models have been updated to include new waist clips which help hold your rider in even better and allow for even younger riders to be able to use the Swing Swaddle!

    The Swing Swaddle safety harness is easily      

         portable so it can go with you anywhere 

    and is designed to fit most sling style swings   

         and be a user-friendly, affordable, and

          convenient way to make swinging 

    for little ones safer.