DockATot Review | Baby Essentials

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When I was pregnant with Liam, I did a lot of reading up on products prior to his birth. But it’s hard to know where to find information about everything you need as a new mom. Now being a mom of two little ones, the number of “mom friends” I have has grown exponentially thanks to play dates, preschool and other activities. Not to mention that I’ve had 3.5 years to see what products other moms are using and loving AND seeing some new things pop up that weren’t available when Liam was a baby. So this time around, I’m having so much fun using products I’ve been eyeing for some time. Including our brand new DockATot. I’ve had friends raving about their DockATots for a long time and I’m so excited to add my own thoughts to the list.

So what is it? Designed in Sweden, the DockATot is a multifunctional dock for your little one. As in, it’s a great little place for your little to do anything from co-sleeping to playing to just hanging out with the rest of your crew. The idea behind the DockATot is that it provides a safe and cosy environment for your baby to do all of those things. Even as your baby grows, the snug feel of the DockATot is reminiscent of your womb, giving a more comforting, calming feeling.

The DockATot comes in two different sizes: the Deluxe (which is what we have) and the Grand. The Deluxe size is for babies 0-8 months old and 5-22 pounds. The Grand size is for littles 9-36 months old and 22-40 pounds. So it’s not one of those products with a limited use time and can grow with your child for those first few years. Made in Europe, it’s made from high-quality, 100% cotton, breathable and non-toxic materials. AND it’s OEKO-TEX certified, been tested for safety and is compliant with CPSC’s safety standards.

For several reasons, our family doesn’t co-sleep. Unless you count a toddler sneaking into our bed in the middle of the night. But I have many friends who do and love it, especially if they’re nursing. I have been known to get a little mid-day cat nap in next to Caleb when he’s on our bed in the DockATot, though. The importance is knowing how to do it safely. And knowing whether it’s the right choice for your family. When used properly, the DockATot can be used for co-sleeping. If you want to learn more about safe sleep with the DockATot, you can find that information here.

My favorite use for our DockATot is as a lounger. It makes it so much easier for Caleb to hang out with me and Liam while we’re playing around the house. He can watch what we’re doing or even get some tummy time in. I also have a little play gym from Finn and Emma that fits over the DockATot so Caleb can have a little fun himself. The company also has a toy arch made specifically for the DockATot you can use too.

I like that this gives Caleb a safe space to be near the action in out house, but it’s more comfortable than the floor. And it also helps Liam to respect Caleb’s space a little better too.

As with many baby things, I recommend getting a second cover for your DockATot so that you can still use it while the cover is being washed. Speaking of which, the covers are machine washable. Which is awesome, because babies make a lot of extra laundry.

The biggest question people keep asking me is – Does it help them sleep? Well, yes. And not necessarily. If you’re looking for me to guarantee that it comes with sleepy dust for every baby, then you won’t find it. The thing is that every baby is soon different and I don’t know that there’s one single solution that will always work for every baby. Some babies just have a really hard time sleeping in general no matter what you’re using.

Caleb has some reflux issues, so he actually sleeps much better slightly inclined. I’ve never gotten a long nap with him in the DockATot. I can actually hear him struggling with the reflux when he’s laying flat on his back. We have used the DockATot for mini-snoozes here and there. But when we finally figure out how to deal with his reflux, I imagine we’ll use it a lot more for sleeping too.

I think a big reason why the DockATot can be so helpful for other babes when it comes to sleep is how it’s designed. I remember Liam had a hard time sleeping in a crib as a baby. Compared to a tiny baby, a crib is huge! Babies are so used to being snug and cozy in the womb that it’s a big shock to suddenly have so much space. I remember learning with Liam that babies need to feel edges to feel more secure. It’s one of the reasons why many babies love being swaddled so much.

Since the DockATot’s designed with a raised edge, the baby can easily reach around and feel the sides. The feeling of being cozy, safe and secure encourages better sleep. Which is why a lot of babies may sleep better in the DockATot vs another option like a crib or pack ‘n play. And since there’s two sizes, your little can still get that same cozy feeling even when they’re a little bigger.

Our family likes to travel quite a bit. Both Liam and Caleb seem to be good little car travelers. So any baby gear that’s easy to bring with us is a huge bonus. The DockATot doesn’t take up a lot of space. It also has several handles, making it easy to pack, grab and go. And it can also double as a changing pad. Which is especially convenient when traveling.

If you travel a lot or intend to fly, you can also get a travel bag for it. Not only does it help keep your DockATot clean, but it has a shoulder strap for easy carrying too. And you can also use the bag for storage when you’re saving it for the next babe.

Function aside, the DockATot is super stylish too! You can choose one of many different prints to match your style aesthetic, nursery or your favorite color. Truthfully, I wanted the Pristine White color (because I’m all about neutrals and having white everything, haha). But they were sold out at the time I chose mine, so I ended up with the chevron Silver Lining and the blue Love Links. I’m SO glad I opted for a little bit of design and color.

You can purchase a DockATot from their website. If you do, you can use this link to get $10 off your purchase!  They can also be purchased from a handful of online retailers. Their Facebook page has lots of really great info on how to use your DockATot. And you can follow them on Instagram to find out when they have sales and giveaways.

Do you have a DockATot? What do you love about it? Or are you thinking about getting one?

Disclosure: I received product as part of a partnership with DockATot. All words and opinions are completely my own.