The Dock A Tot Deluxe: A Sleep Consultant's Review
Hi friends!
I’m Lauren- founder of Sleep & the City and I bet you’ve heard me talk about DockATot! I wanted to give you my 2019/2020 review of the DockATot Deluxe.
I’ll share my honest thoughts and we’ll see if it’s Sleep and the City approved!
So, if you’ve heard of DockATot and are unsure whether or not you want to take the dive - this post is perfect for you!
The question is… DockATot or Not!?
Perfect Portland Photographer @laycebaumanphoto & Styled by @sleepandthecity
First of all, what’s a DockATot?
A DockATot is known as a “docking station” that encourages growth and play… and it’s portable, too! The DockATot comes in two sizes, the Deluxe+ for babies ages 0-8+ months and the Grand for months 9-36+ months. I’ve loved seeing the tremendous growth this company has made throughout the years helping thousands of families and children in life and especially with sleep. From Michael Phelps to Kourtney Kardashian, families around the world RAVE about this sleep must-have for their babies!
So, is the DockATot Deluxe Sleep and the City approved?
YES! Of course! Here are a few reasons why I love the DockATot Deluxe!
1. It helps children feel safe and secure, while under direct supervision of an adult, for lounging and play!
During infancy, newborns go through lots of changes.. And no matter how old your baby is, if your little one is having adjusting to the outside world, and can often feel confused and overwhelmed. For example, can you imagine waking up one morning inside of a HUGE warehouse, versus your likely smaller (and cozy) bedroom? That’s what going from the womb to the outside world could feel like! That’s why I created my sleep training classes for babies- specifically for you! These Sleep and the City classes, most complete with DIY booklets, will help you help your baby every step of the way from newborn to 5+ years old.
So, here are a few more reasons why I love the DockATot Deluxe!
2. It’s portable. Washable. You can move baby around the house to keep an eye on them at all times, and give them a safe place to lounge or practice tummy time (the “play” part of Eat-Play-Sleep!). It’s also a great place to put baby down temporarily if you need to folding the laundry or quickly empty the dishwasher.
And.. did I mention…
3. They have beautiful designs! I mean, the changeable covers are adorable and there are so many - too many to count! What’s neat is that if you are handing down a DockATot to a younger sibling, you can easily swap out a cover for a fun new print! #ForTheWin !
Cred: DockATot
4. It grows about 5 more inches to fit your growing baby!
The DockATot Deluxe is 21 inches long when the buckles are closed but 34 inches when the buckles are open. So, if your like some parents, you might be thinking about your little one outgrowing the Deluxe+.
Here’s what DockATot has to say about that, “Our experience is that parents seem to think the baby has outgrown the Deluxe size before the baby is uncomfortable. As your baby grows, unbuckle the dock to give their legs some room.”
This is what is so great about having a DockATot Deluxe . . . it really grows as your child grows.
5. One of the coolest things about DockATot Deluxe is the transport bag!
DockATot has tons of amazing, useful, and beautiful accessories to make any DockATot, even more awesome.
But… I have to say… the best accessory in my opinion is the DockATot “ON THE GO DELUXE+ TRANSPORT BAG”!
This thing is a beauty and makes traveling with your DockATot a breeze! This transport bag allows you to travel in style while carrying your Deluxe+ DockATot! It comes in 2 colors: Midnight Teal & Moss Green!
The DockATot Deluxe Transport Bag is 100% polyester, water-resistant, and can be easily stored when you are not using it! It just makes traveling so much easier, plus “bringing your baby’s bed” with them will help them take great naps and sleep through the night on vacation as well (if they’ve already been sleeping well at home).
6. The Cabana option is simply amazing for the DockATot Deluxe!
No need to worry about the direct sunlight. The DockATot Deluxe Cabana has a retractable UV-protected shade of 50+ SPF! Taking those nice walks to the park, even on super cold days, the sun can pear through the clouds. No need to worry about disrupting your newborn while they may be napping.
The DockATot Deluxe Cabana comes in these colors: Night Falls , Rose , Endless Blue , & Splash!
Over the years, I’ve actually received hundreds of questions on DockATot! Here are some questions and my replies:
Q: Is this approved for safe sleep? Like a bassinet?
A: Recently marketed as an option for bed-sharing families, the Dock is not meant for crib, parent’s bed, or bassinet sleep. Also, baby must always be directly supervised, and never left alone in the Dock. The absolute safest place for babies to sleep are on a flat, firm surface, in a separate area from the parent(s), with no obstructions such as blankets, pillows or toys. You can read more here on the DockaTot website for more safety information.
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Q: Can you use it for tummy time or diaper changes? I just feel gross putting my new baby on the floor for these things!
A: Absolutely! Plus it can provide MUCH more comfort than a towel or scratchy blanket. *To learn more about bed sharing (correctly), you can read the Top 5 mistakes the New Moms Make.
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Q: If the Dockatot isn’t ideal for sleeping, is there is another product you would recommend for my newborn baby? I REALLY love my sleep!
A: We LOVE The Snoo, developed by a fellow sleep guru. With the option to rent or buy, the Snoo provides a safe location for baby to sleep at night or while taking a nap, with a feature to soothe them back to sleep if they are to wake up. With a built-in swaddle and numerous success stories, we couldn’t help but include it in our Newborn Sleep Academy class, which also talks about how to transition to the crib or nursery with the help of the Snoo. Take a peek at the Snoo here if you want to rent it as low as $29/month!
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Q: Is using a Dockatot ever “ok” for sleep?
A: While the CPSC advises against sleeping on any padded surface, Dockatot does mention on their safety labels that it can be used with a toddler if they are able to safely descend on their own, and it rests on top of a firm surface. ♥️ *Read all about sleep transitions, here.
Ready to move to actually sleeping all night? I know that’s what you’re here for. Take a peek at this SPECIAL Newborn sleep mini-class offer below, for blog readers only (seriously it’s not sold on the website!)
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