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Dock A Tot Review - Our Favorite Baby Item

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We are so excited to share our full Dock A Tot review! If you’ve followed us for at least a little while, you know that we are huge Dock A Tot fans! The DockATot is one of my must have baby items (as seen here) and I am a firm believer that everyone needs one if you have a baby.

Dock A Tot - Our Favorite Baby Item

Dock A Tot review

We didn’t purchase the Dock A Tot deluxe (which is the size for newborn to eight months) until Madison was about two months old. I hesitated because of the price tag, but my only regret was not having it sooner! It paid for itself because Madison slept like a dream since we got it. We used the deluxe size until Madison started to roll over.

What is a Dock A Tot?

If you’re not familiar with the Holy Grail that is Dock A Tot, let me explain a little more about it. Dock A Tot is a multi-functional lounger, co-sleeper and playtime lounger. It comes in two sizes. The Deluxe is for newborn to 8 months of age and the Grand is for 9 to 36 months of age.

The Dock A Tot is designed in Sweden and made in Europe.  It has extensively been tested for breath-ability and is OEKO-TEX certified. It is designed to make the baby feel like they are back in the womb. Genius!

Dock A Tot Review

Blanket / Mocs c/o Freshly Picked 

Dock A Tot Review

Why We Love the Dock A Tot!

We were lucky with two great sleepers, but I really do credit a lot of our success with Madison’s amazing sleep to the Dock. One of my best friends who is a sleep consultant at Sleep and the City, highly recommends the Dock A Tot. Babies thrive on consistency and love having a familiar place to sleep. The Dock is great to bring with you if you go out of town. It’s perfect to take with you to a friend’s house so you can have safe and familiar place to let your baby hang out. Another one of my favorite features of the Dock A Tot is that the cover is washable!  I have washed the cover many times, and it comes out beautifully every time.

Dock A Tot Review

Dock A Tot Grand

We were recently gifted the Dock A Tot Grand and we are in love! The girls love lounging in it outside, in the family room and sleeping in it. Technically, it’s for Madison but McKinlee sure seems to enjoy hanging out in there. We are excited to use it for transitioning Madison to her toddler bed (whenever that day comes, definitely not rushing it!). It will be the perfect spot for her to still feel cozy in the larger sleep environment.

DockATot Review

image via DockATot

Dock A Tot Review

Madison looks a little concerned because she really doesn't want to share the Dock with her big sis! 

Dock A Tot Review

Blanket / Flower headband c/o Fancy Free Finery 

Pros of the DockATot

The DockATot gives your baby a sense of security which in-turn helps them to sleep better. It also grows with your baby. Eventually, you can have them practice tummy time in the DockATot. Make sure you're always supervising them though! The grand provides a nice transition for your baby to their toddler bed. The cover can easily be washed, which we had to do often! It's portable and we could easily take it with us to Grandmas house or on a vacation. We didn't have a hard time taking it away once it was time. I was afraid she'd be too attached to it, but we just phased it out and she seemed ok!

The colors and prints are endless! I love that you can mix it up or even match it to your decor.

DockATot Review

image via DockATot

DockATot Review
DockATot Review

Helpful DockATot Tips

I grabbed some helpful safety tips from the DockATot website and wanted to share them with you here!

  • There should be no blankets, pillows or other objects in the baby’s resting space. This includes keeping DockATot docks out of the crib, bassinet or play yard and keeping loose blankets out of the dock.
  • Babies fall asleep anytime, sometimes unexpectedly. Aside from tummy time, babies less than one year of age should always be placed on their back in the dock. Back is best!
  • It's hard to tell when your baby will start to crawl and become mobile. The Deluxe+ dock is not a bassinet, play yard, or crib – it does not have high sides to contain the baby.
  • DockATot is multi-functional and super easy to use in many locations. Only use it on the floor or on another firm, flat, stable surface.
  • While docks themselves are portable, they are not designed for carrying children. If you want to transport your dock, remove your child before moving the dock.
  • Before using a dock in a toddler or big kid-sized bed, be sure the child can safely climb in and out of the dock and bed on their own, and also be sure to child-proof their room.
  • Do not remove inside contents and use them alone. Loose parts can present a suffocation hazard.
  • You must directly supervise your baby when practicing tummy time. Place the baby near the head of the dock with their arms over the edge. Never place your baby on his/her tummy to rest.
DockATot Review
DockATot Review

Cons of the DockATot

The DockATot is pricey, but to me it was worth it. Our baby slept so well, and that is just something you can't put a price tag on! It has a short shelf life. You can use the Deluxe version until baby starts to roll or 8 months of age. This is pretty typical of baby products though. The nice option is to pass it on to siblings or friends. You can purchase a new cover to make it feel new. Those are really the only negative pieces of feedback I have!

Dock A Tot Review

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I hope this post helped answer questions that you might have about the Dock a Tot! Please let me know if you have any questions by leaving a comment below, or feel free to DM me on Instagram!

Dock A Tot Review
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