DockATot Deluxe+ Dock (Dream Weaver) – The All in One Baby Lounger

DockATot Deluxe represents a secure and comfy place where babies can take their naps, they can relax, sleep, cuddle and so many other things since the moment they are born (0+) until they are 8 months. It is like a big and comfortable sleeping pillow that is 18 inches in width and with a length of between the range of 29 to 34 inches. The length depends on the clasps, whether they are opened or not. The product is lightweight with a weight of only 1400 g (3.0 lbs). This particular product that we are reviewing today is one of the two sizes that are available and besides this one that is intended for the youngest, there is one other designed for older babies from eight months called DockATot Grande. The product is from European origin it is of Swedish design and most of the parents buy this to assist sleep and maybe extend the babies ‘sleeping hours as the baby feel nicely snuggled in this kind of mattress surrounded with round edges that serve as a bumper. It comes packed and sealed in plastic when you first get it.

The DockATot has a modern and trendy design but at the same time it is durable and designed to last and offer comfortable bedding for the baby. It has many stylish designs with different patterns to choose from and match your style and preference with the one of the DockATot. What parents like about the design are the smart choice of certain parts that seem to be on the right place, for example, there are handles for easier and more convenient carrying of the dock around the house and there is an opening where the babies’ legs are, so during the time when you play with the baby his/her feet can freely move and kick. It resembles a small boat or bed and it looks super nice and comfy with the rounded edges. On both of the sides, there are loops that are meant to serve the purpose of attaching a toy bar that also can be purchased by the same company. If you decide to attach a toy bar you can also use the dock for a lounger and a play area for the babies. In addition to these loops, there are also the standard handles, one on the side and on at the top of the dock, which is used for lifting and carrying the dock around. As we mentioned the dock opens at the bottom or this is the place where the feet of the babies are, but if you decide to close the clasps you can just clip shut them. It has a completely flat bottom which is padded and this also makes the bedding more comfortable for the baby. One of the best selling points for this product is that the material is a certified microclimate fabric meaning that it prevents overheating.

One of the pros of this dock is the high-quality materials that it is made of. What is important for safe and nice sleep of the babies that the dock’s materials regulate the temperature and create a climate of their own. In the summer months when the temperatures are high this dock makes the baby feel cool and does not sweat and during the cold months, it makes the baby feel warm. The mattress is made of fiber that is thermo-bonded and this makes it extremely soft and gentle to babies’ skin. The cover is removable and it is made of cotton. The tube and the padding are made of 100 % polyester. All the materials have been tested and are certified to comply with the standard Oeko-Tex. The sign of the certification means that it is officially confirmed that the fabric is child-friendly and there are no harmful substances for the skin as well as the absence of fabric dyes that cause allergies. However, quite a number of customers claim that the material is not so soft as advertised.

As the dock is lightweight it is extremely easy and convenient for moving and carrying around the house and when on the go. It can be a lifesaver in many situations as you can dock the baby safely next to you and you can keep an eye at all times while at the same time you can finish some work or relax nearby knowing that your baby insecurely snugged in his/her own cozy spot. For even greater portability the DockATot has a case for carrying around that has handles so you can just grab the dock and go. Although you cannot fold it, still the dimensions allow to put it in a suitcase of a larger size and when compared with other related gear like pack and play, this one is much easier to handle. If you use this product a lot while you are on the go or during the constant visits at grandma’s house then for even greater convenience you can purchase in addition a travel bag produced by the same company, where you can put the DockATot and easily carry it around.

The dock can be used for many different things and pretty much everything that the baby does. One of the major concepts of the dock use is co-sleeping with the baby. Babies tend to sleep longer if they feel the presence of their parents and they sleep close to mom and dad. DockATot with its rounded sides offers an ideal spot for the baby to co-sleep in the adult bed. This way the baby can have its own special space for sleeping but at the same time can enjoy sharing the bed with mommy. The dock is loved by newborns because it is designed to imitate the womb of the mothers offering the little ones a safe environment that soothes the baby because it appears as a familiar environment for him/her. So babies can take short naps or sleep during the night in this cozy spot. It is perfect because space is closed by the rounded edges and this prevents the baby not to roll over, although this raises the issue of safety of co-sleeping. When the baby wakes up and he/she wants to play you can use this opportunity and put the baby on the tummy. The DockATot is a great product for tummy time because the rounded edges can go under the babies’ arms and in this way, the baby can work on developing the strength of the neck and enhance his/her motor skills. Many parents use it as a nursing pillow too or just a lounger where the baby can relax.

As this product is primarily advertised as a lounger that can be used for bed sharing and co-sleeping many of the parents following the recommendations of the many Associations of Pediatricians raised the question of safety of this product and if there is a place for concern. As there is much information that is misleading parents have safety concerns and are confused about what is the truth is DocATot safe or not. One thing that is certain is that although there are many parents who use it in the crib or bassinets, the manufacturing company does not approve or recommend this, but rather advertises it as a co-sleeping bedding. This part is problematic too, as co-sleeping is not recommended by many experts, and official institutions because it is considered to be a risk for sleep deaths. The DockATot with its rounded edges is actually a kind of bumper and they are not safe for use in the cribs or sleeping surfaces. DockATot is claimed to help many babies to sleep longer, the fabric is safe for the babies so you should be aware and make informed decisions and choice especially when we are talking about the safety of the babies. If you decide to purchase it as many other satisfied parents you can use it properly and do not leave the child unsupervised during sleep and maybe use it for short naps of the baby, tummy time, cuddling and playtime.

The cover of the DockATot can be removed by unzipping and you can wash it in a machine. If, however you decide to purchase an additional cover there are plenty of designs to choose from so you can replace it while you are washing the original cover. It is made of 100 percent cotton and it is easy for maintenance. However, although easy for maintenance the replacement of the cover can be an issue and it is definitely a hassle. Only the covers are removable and almost all the other parts can be hand-washed and machine washed in cold water and air-dried that because of the padding can definitely be a time-consuming process. Although used often and on daily basis except for the cover it does not happen often that you have to wash the whole thing and this is why parents say that it is easy for maintenance.

This lounger is on the higher end of the price range and for a baby gear that is used for a limited period of time, it is an investment. There are many similar products on the market and compared to them DockATot is one of the most expensive product out there and indeed overpriced. However, many parents decide to invest in it, because as new parents of a crying baby, often deprived of sleep we are looking for options that will make our babies sleep longer so we can get few hours of sleep more. There are many parents who claim that DockATot really helped them with the baby’s sleeping because babies love the feeling of being snugged and hugged. It is also a very popular product for baby showers so if you decide to purchase one as a gift we are sure that the new mothers will love and appreciate it. As a product, it has been also popular with the mommies who are bloggers and many celebrities who set the trends on Instagram. One thing to have in mind and take into consideration is that if you want to purchase an additional cover they are also not cheap at all and that once you open the product when received you cannot return it so if you baby seems not to like it, the only option is to give it as a gift to friends or family who might need it.

The DockATot is a baby lounger designed for babies from 0 to 8 months. It is used for co-sleeping with the parents but being a versatile product it can be used for so much more like a changing pad, nursing pillow, playtime area and everything that you can think of. Many parents claim that although not a miracle overnight still DockATot helped their babies sleep longer and parents feel safe when they use it for co-sleeping. It is extremely portable and easy for moving around with the help of the handles part of the dock and it has a removable and machine-washable cover. Some of the things that can make you think twice are probably the price tag which is pretty high and some of the safety concerns regarding not the product that much but more the concept of co-sleeping and proper use of the product.