A duyan is essentially a cloth hammock fashioned from fabric strung up on opposite points on the wall or ceiling. The material varies: cloth is

common, but there are also duyans made of rattan, hand-woven abaca, lubid (rope) and fishnet material. Some mothers place a thin mat or mattress for duyans that have spaces or gaps in them as added support for the baby's back.

For generations, mothers have used the duyan for naps or to rock babies to sleep before transferring them to a bed, a crib or the banig (mat) on the

 floor.

Today, there are modern versions available that come with accessories and more modern features. These include travel-friendly collapsible frames

and a motorized spring that can be set on a timer.

 

As every new parent has discovered (or will discover!), babies love being rocked to sleep. Many experts theorize that babies are soothed by rocking because they associate the rocking motion with the movements they felt whilst nestled in the safety and security of their mother's womb. Thus, few

newborns can resist the gentle rhythms of the duyan -- put a tired baby in one, start swinging or rocking it, and it is a stubborn baby that will manage to stay awake.

In addition, when baby is put into the duyan, his own weight pulls the fabric in around him, creating a snug cocoon- or womb-like environment.

Because of this, there is often no need to swaddle a baby in the duyan.