PRODUCT NAME: DockATot
PRODUCT TYPE: Baby Lounger / Sleep Positioner
SIDS of IL, INC FINAL THOUGHTS: Not recommended for sleeping / napping. Purchase at your own risk.
Overview:
The DockATot has been a very popular product that has been advertised on the internet to new moms for the last few years. Some parents swear by it saying it helps their baby sleep better. But is it a safe product to use? Our team of safe sleep educators have extensively researched the DockATot to bring you a safe sleep product review so that you can make the best decision for you and your family.
DockATot Specifics:
The DockATot is a Swedish company which is important to understand because other countries have different safe sleep practices. Since Fall of 2020, the company has stopped promoting its products for bed-sharing/co-sleeping specifically in the United States to match the US Safe Sleep recommendations set by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics). When a person goes on the DockATot website, they are asked to pick the country they are in. When a DockATot is sold in the United States from a United States distributer, the DockATot comes with a warning label that meets current American safe sleep recommendations.
For example, a DockATot sold in the United States has a large tag on the side that reads, "Direct Supervision is required when baby is in a dock at all times." NOT FOR SLEEPING. In fact the DockATot American version website includes safety tips to be read before using the product which include:
Bare is Best
"Bare is best" means there should be no blankets, pillows or other objects in the baby's resting place.
Baby on Back
Babies may fall asleep anytime, even unexpectedly. Accordingly, aside from tummy time, babies less than 1 year of age should always be placed on their backs in the dock.
Be Present
It's important that you stay near your baby at all times when your baby is in a DockATot. You never know when your baby will become mobile.
Stay Firm and Flat
The docks should only be placed on a firm, flat and stable surface from which the baby cannot fall.
Please Read Carefully
Take the time to read the warning label. Our warning labels have important information meant to protect your child, so please take the time to read, understand and follow warnings. They are available on our products and on our website.
When the website is viewed in other countries, these recommendations might look different. This is important to understand because we do not have control over what type of social media advertisements and influencers are being presented to our American families. Therefore, new families might see influencers raving about these loungers calling them "in-bed sleepers".
The AAP puts out evidence based safe sleep recommendations based on current research. Unfortunately, loungers such as these have been linked to accidental deaths here in the US, therefore, they are not a recommended safe sleep surface for babies under age 1.
The Dangers of Loungers:
Although not mentioned by name, the AAP and the FDA have specific statements against sleep positioners and loungers.
AAP - Warning on infant sleep positioners published in 2017:
Parents and caregivers are being warned not to put infants in sleep positions because they can cause a baby to struggle to breathe and lead to death. The Food and Drug Administration issued the warning in response to reports of babies who have died from suffocation associated with sleep positioners also called nests or anti-roll products. In more cases, the babies suffocated after rolling from their sides to their stomachs...The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep on their backs, positioned on a firm sleep surface that meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. This surface should not include any soft objects, toys, pillows or loose beddings. To reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, follow the ABC's of Safe Infant Sleep: Alone, on the Back, in a bare Crib.
In 2022, The AAP came out with a new statement:
There is inadequate published evidence to recommend for or against the use of alternative sleep surfaces. At a minimum, to be considered A SAFE option, any alternative sleep surface (such as inclined sleep products, hammocks, cardboard boxes, in-bed sleepers... should adhere to the JUNE 2021 CPSC rule that any infant sleep product must meet existing federal safety standards for cribs, bassinets, play yards and bedside sleepers.
The US Food and Drug Administration also published a statement in 2019:
The US Food and Drug Administration is reminding parents and caregivers not to put babies in sleep positioners. These products - sometimes called "nests" and "anti-roll" products - can cause suffocation (a struggle to breathe) that can lead to death.
One of the biggest risks with these loungers is that it secures a baby in place, but doesn't account for the fact that babies move a lot and it is impossible to have your eyes on your baby 100% of the time. The cushion sides and plush body are a suffocation risk and doesn't allow for baby to have a clear space if they roll.
This review can also be applied to other popular loungers on the market. It is better to purchase with caution and never use these products for your sleeping or napping baby.
Review - Our Final Thoughts:
The DockATot has been a popular product for many years. Despite its clear warning and safety tips, we continuously see this product being used incorrectly (for baby sleep) by many moms. Social media, especially, is flooded with images of babies sleeping in this product. Please purchase with caution, read their product warning labels carefully, and never use this product for napping or sleeping. 100% supervision is needed at all times when your baby is in this product. Also, please be aware of other loungers such as these that are made by different companies. These products are fine to use when the baby is awake, but we advise our families to follow the AAP's ABC's of Safe Sleep recommendations when your baby is napping or sleeping.
Remember - There are only 3 places that are safe for your baby to sleep:
A Crib - Only Cribs manufactured after 6/28/2011 have been tested and meet current safety standards set by the ASTM and CPSC.
A Portable Play Yard - Only Portable Play Yards (Pack 'n Plays) manufactured after 2/28/2013 have been tested and meet current safety standards set by the ASTM and CPSC.
A Bassinet - On Bassinets manufactured after 4/23/2014 have been tested and meet current safety standards set by the ASTM and CSPC.
To ensure optimal safe sleep practices, please follow the ABC's of Safe Sleep
Alone
on Back
in a safe Crib
in a Smoke-free environment.
If you would like more information or need help with your sleeping baby, send us an email! We would love to help you choose safe sleep for your baby. SIDS@sidsillinois.org