The DockATot is a baby gear trend, and for me, a must have item for Baby #2. I willingly purchased one as an option bed sharing with baby #2 and the rest of the family.
I don’t sleep train babies. Learn Why.
Previously, we had used a Halo Bassinest with my first. However, due to our new floor bed, and current cosleeping/bedsharing practices, this was not going to work.
The DockATot looked like it would solve my dilemma.
This post contains affiliate links for DockATot.
Sometimes, in the world of sponsored reviews, I think we need an unsponsored, honest review about the product. This is my unsponsored take on my experience with a DockAtot.
Don’t get me wrong, I write sponsored posts myself. It takes a lot of energy, time, and motivation to write a blog post, and getting sponsored is the way to make it worth it.
About the DockATot
The DockATot is a multifunctional baby product that can be used for hanging out, sleeping, or play. Most parents purchase this product to facilitate sleep (let’s just be honest). It came to North America via Europe and features two sizes (Deluxe 0-8months and Grande 8 months +). DockATot claims to meet full compliancy and safety testing both in European and North American markets. You can learn all about it here on their website.
There are a variety of opinions on the DockATot in regards to whether or not it is a safe sleep environment. For me, I’m not an extremist in regards to safe sleep practices with my children.
There is insufferable torture of having a crappy sleeping baby and sometimes that means bending the rules.
I’m sorry, I’m not interested in sleep training my young baby, nor am I interested in never sleeping again. Sanctimommies will hate. I’m going to sleep.
When it comes to infant sleep you need to make informed safe choices. I am not a safe sleep educator, or researcher, or do I have any authority to tell you what is safe and what is not. I’m just going to tell you my honest opinion on this product based on my personal experience.
My Family’s Sleep Situation
It’s not secret; my first child is a TERRIBLE sleeper. He fights sleep every chance he gets and is up constantly during the night. I’ve tried it all. He’s just a terrible sleeper. It’s just who he is.
My second child is an amazing sleeper. It’s just who she is.
Don’t worry she’s beginning to be less awesome.
With my first we tried the Halo Bassinest. We had it right next to the bed, and honestly, I don’t really remember him sleeping in it because he is a terrible sleeper. Instead, we bed shared, as that’s the only way you survive when your child wakes every hour.
Before Little Miss was born, our room was a massive sleeping space. We had two mattresses on the floor to create our massive family bed. But Little Miss came along and the first week home we realized nobody got any sleep with two little’s in the bed. When she woke, he woke. When he woke, she woke. The toddler moved to his own room, and we converted back to one bed.
Affording a DockATot
I bought my DockATot on a Black Friday Sale at Well.ca. DockATot rarely, if ever goes on sale. But 2016, I bought one for 15% off from Well dot ca in Canada. I saw the sale and I couldn’t click “check out” fast enough. If you are in the market for a DockATot and see it go on sale “GO GO GO.”
My DockATot Experience
I love it.
Did you come to this post thinking I might be a DockATot hater? You are sincerely wrong. I love my DockATot and it is the best $200CDN I spent.
I like to think of my DockATot as a modern day Moses Basket. I use my DockATot to provide a sleep space for Little Miss wherever I want. I bring it to whatever space I need her to sleep and she’s safe, cozy and happy. I need to be where my toddler is, and thus tags along the baby.
If we are reading books in the bedroom, the DockATot follows suit. If he’s sleeping in the bedroom, she can sleep quietly in the hallway in her DockATot. If I’m writing downstairs, she can take a nap under my watchful eye in the downstairs living space.
It’s the perfect, lightweight, portable sleeper. Pack and Plays are bulky and cumbersome, but a DockATot is always convenient and comfortable. We used our DockATot on our recent road trip and it was a life safer. We also use it camping in our tent, or in hotel rooms and guest rooms. She always has her sleep space.
5 Reasons I LOVE the DockATot
- Light Weight & Mobile
- Cozy & Comfy
- Breathable
- Easy to Wash
- Handles
Does the DockATot Help with Sleep?
This is the million-dollar question. I wager millions of parents are struggling with sleep and their newborn infant because newborns just don’t sleep like adults want them to sleep. Whoever coined the phase “sleep like a baby” did not have a shitty sleeping baby. Shitty sleeping babies are NORMAL. It’s hard to adjust to waking in the night to take care of someone’s needs, but this is just a moment in time.
I can’t really answer this question because DockATot or not, my second child is an amazing sleeper. I don’t believe her sleeping the night away has anything to do with the DockATot. I believe it has everything to do with who she is.
I will not recommend the DockATot as a “sleep cure”. I will recommend the DockATot, as a portable convenient baby lounging space and that is exactly why I love it.
If your baby is not sleeping thru the night and you are at your wits end, I recommend you read up on normal infant sleep. I am being a sassy blogger, but don’t worry I feel you. My Toddler woke up 3 times last night screaming and took 25 minutes to fall asleep the first time. Being well informed about infant sleep expectations helped me cope, and realize my children do not hate me; they are just little people trying to figure shit out.
At the end of the day, The DockATot rocks. I would give one to a friend if I could afford it. I’m anxious of what to do when she grows out of it. I’m not sure if I’ll splurge on a Grande for her. The $400CDN + price tag freaks me out. [Take note, she is a plump 15 pounds and 3-4 months in these photos and she still fits it fine.]
I do wish I bought the carrying case for the DockATot…
What’s your take on the DockATot? Hate it or Love it?
Morgan says
I LOVE our DockATot. I was skeptical in the beginning but once Lincoln was born we started using it immediately as a place to rest him. I didn’t actually start putting it into his bed until last month when he stopped sleeping. He’s been sleeping in it for about a month now and while it does make me a little nervous, I use our Owlet monitor so I know that he’s safe. Plus he’s in our bedroom so I’m right nearby to watch him.
Kylie says
Totally understand this – we paired it with an owlet too!
Becky Kinard says
Your review on the DockaTot was very helpful. It sounds like it is well worth the money!
Jessica says
We’ve had our dockatot since my daughter was born – and we love it just as much as she does! She turned 7 months old on our recent trip to Spain. We brought the dockatot with us and were able to take over the seat next to us and create a little sanctuary for her on the long flights. We did purchase the carrier bag for it but decided not to bring it- instead we rolled the dockatot up and carried it in a rucksack/backpack. It was awesome! She always had a clean place to rest and sit up and play… hotels, planes, trains, and airports! She’s also slept great in it and combined with the Owlet, we have slept great too 🙂
Amelia Suwito says
Hi! Thank you for your honest review. My son is 3.5 mos now and he hardly naps when at home! Do you think it is too late to purchase Dock A Tot? Also what do you think about its feature improving flat head syndrome?
Kylie says
This is the best! So much of what I’ve seen online has been either sponsored or hateful! The truth is, the dock a tot got us through a really hard two months. I was super thankful we rented it because once my daughter hit 3 months, she was ready to move on and starting to roll out of it!
Here’s the site we rented it from: