Friday, August 12, 2016
* Product sent for review but all opinions are my own. Thank you, DockATot!

Warning: This post is super text and picture-heavy but I feel like when you're talking about sleeping and children, there's always a lot to cover! :)

As a first time mom and since the night we brought him home from the hospital, I wanted to hold Hunter all the time and I personally didn't like putting him in the bassinet next to our bed (because breastfeeding + laziness + totally worry-wart) so I ended up safely co-sleeping with him until he was about 11 months old and then we moved him into a crib when it seemed like he really wasn't into co-sleeping anymore. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to really make a difference.

Months turned into a year and then more and we started getting exhausted AF. At almost a year and a half, Hunter still wasn't even close to sleeping through the night (getting up about two to three times a night to nurse) but being pregnant, I was EXTRA tired, so I started looking up gentle sleeping methods, night weaning - even different stuffed animals that played white noise - you name it and we've probably tried it (minus crying it out) and nothing has really worked. 

I was honestly about to just suck it up (and take up a huge stock in Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts) when I came across The DockATot! I had read about the company quite a few times through different bloggers with amazing, glowing reviews and always kept in the back of my mind if we ever had the money for it, I would totally get one! Eventually, with baby #2 on the way, I reached out to DockATot and was so incredibly lucky to have them send me a DockATot Grand Dock to try out with Hunter.


DockATot offers two different stage docks:
  • the Deluxe Dock ($165-$185) which is for newborns to eight months old. The length is 18 inches wide x 29 inches long with the clasps at the end closed (clasps are recommended to not be closed while in use). This size is perfect for co-sleeping, tummy time, playing, cuddling, changing or just hanging out. This is also great for vacations as it keeps everything sleeping-wise consistent when you're in a different place which helps babies sleep better.
  • the Grand Dock ($260-$290) which is for nine months - 36 months old. Length is 24 inches wide x 39 inches with the clasps at the end closed (clasps are recommended to not be closed while in use). This size is great for bed transitioning (the sides are basically breathable bed rails), hanging out on or just resting. We actually brought this with us on vacation the first week we had it and it helped tremendously but I'll get more into that below.

Each dock for both stages have the following certifications: 

  • Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1 certified (EU)
  • All components are Intertek tested and proven free from harmful substances
  • US CPSIA 2008 compliant
  • 16 CRF 1632 flammability test compliant
  • Free from phthalates and heavy metals
  • 16 CFR 1500.50 small parts and use & abuse test compliant
  • ASTM F-963-11 compliant
  • California Bulletins 116 and 117 flammability test compliant
  • California Proposition 65 compliant
  • Resistant to ignition according to BS5852 (UK)
  • Both mattress pad and bumper have great air-permeability and comply with BS4578.
  • All materials are removeable and washable.
  • Materials are non-toxic.
So like I mentioned above, naturally, the first week we received this, we were heading on vacation to the Poconos but brought the DockATot with us. That would also be the first time that Hunter would be trying it out since we didn't get a chance to try it at home so it was really up in the air if it would make a difference or not. The DockATot (seen above) comes with a traveling case which was amazing for traveling so we didn't have to worry about it getting dirty. We also kept all of his sleeping stuff (his stuffed wolf, blankets, pillow) in there so nothing got lost and stayed together.

Honestly, that weekend was so tough to test the DockATot out. Him even sleeping longer than three hours at a time was a blessing as our A/C in the hotel room broke the first night so it was ridiculously hot in our room. Still, Hunter slept better than l thought he would in the DockATot but he did wake up a few times. The next night at the hotel was MUCH better and but he still woke up a few times. Nothing amazing really happened and I was starting to think I put all in my eggs into a very expensive basket for nothing.

Once we headed back home and got back into the swing of things, we ended up placing the DockATot in his toddler bed one night and hoped for the best. The first night, he slept for six hours straight (longest like, ever!) but honestly, ever since that night, it hasn't really happened again. Kind of a bummer, I know but it's only been a month. We still have high hopes! But there is a silver lining for us because...

HIS NAPS HAVE BECOME AMAZING! His naps have significantly lengthened from maybe 45 minutes to almost three hours! We've had the DockATot for about a month now and this longer-nap-thang started almost immediately when we came home from vacation. Even though he still doesn't sleep through the night, I did notice his sleep, in general, seems to be better. Does that make sense? Haha. While the quantity of sleep hasn't changed much, the quality definitely has. Even putting him down in it is much, much easier!

I personally like the DockATot because of how soft and truly cozy it is. Heck, I've laid around in it and it's pretty amazing. I've also put my face into the corners to see just how well you can breathe it (am I the only one who does that?) and am proud to say that it seems fine and breathable to me. Another great feature is that everything is removable, washable and replaceable (if need be). They also have the cutest covers ever!

All of that being said, would I recommend the DockATot to my readers? Actually, yes. Surprised? While we didn't have those "glowing" results (yet!) per say and Hunter's still not miraculously sleeping through the night, I feel like the DockATot has changed his sleep in a way I don't think myself and fiance could've changed by ourselves in a month. Like I said, nap time has become an absolute dream. The quality of his sleep has definitely changed too, for the better. He doesn't seem so grumpy when he wakes up and I've even caught him in there, just hanging out on it.

Is it worth the price? I think when you're just this tired, anything is worth a certain price if it helps you out. I do think that if we had this when Hunter was first born, things would probably be completely different (but what do I know?)! The DockATot mimics a "womb-like" effect and I definitely think that helps in the sleeping process - kind of like me and my Snoogle right now!

Bottom line: While our toddler still doesn't sleep through the night, the quality of sleep has changed for the better. Putting him down is easier and his naps have lengthened significantly from the DockATot! I highly recommend, especially if you're co-sleeping!

Shop | Buy ($165-$290)
* Product sent for review but all opinions are my own. Thank you, DockATot!