A friend of mine raved about her DockATot and told me it was registry must-have, so naturally I got my own DockATot once I was pregnant with my first child.

Still, there are a lot of questions floating around DockATot safety and many moms wonder – can babies sleep in a DockATot?

The short answer is no… the DockATot and baby nests are NOT approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics for use for safe sleep.

Why do moms everywhere love the DockATot then? Today I’m going to share 4 ways you can safely use the DockATot!

Disclosure: Affiliate links are used in this post, at no cost to you.

DockATot Safety: 4 Ways You Can Safely Use One

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been pushing to educate new moms on the danger of in bed sleepers. This popular baby lounger has been linked to infant deaths when used unsupervised as baby’s sleep environment. You can read the details on this Consumer Reports investigation HERE.

As new parents, it can be unnerving when a baby product come with any type of risk.

That’s why we are sharing these tips for safe use!

1. Use the DockATot as a Baby Lounger

After a feeding, it’s typically recommended you have wake time with your baby.

Place the DockATot next to you as a docking station for some safe lounging time on the couch.

It’s also a lifesaver if you’re home alone and you desperately need to run to the bathroom, answer the door or quickly grab something from upstairs!

Lay them down in your sight, knowing they’re safe lying there for a few minutes.

2. Use the DockATot as an Activity Gym for Play Time

Every week your child will require more and more wake time.

The DockATot can be turned into an activity gym for play time as soon as you add the mobile toy arch. They’ll stare in amazement at the animals and eventually starting batting their hands at them!

Keep your baby engaged and entertained on a nice flat surface before their next nap time.

3. Place Them on the DockATot for Tummy Time

Pediatricians recommend regular, supervised tummy time starting as soon as possible.

Place their arms over the rounded side and watch them lift their head up. My daughter absolutely loved it and so did I!

Of course, make sure you are right there in case they rock side to side at all. You should not leave them without providing direct supervision.

Do this for a few minutes multiple times per day – tummy time helps develop baby’s neck strength and motor skills.

Related: IKEA Cubby Hack DIY

4. Safely Enjoy Snuggle Time with Baby in the DockATot

Sometimes you just want to lay in bed and snuggle your babe!

If you don’t co-sleep, you can use moments like this to cuddle in the morning or evenings.

The DockATot is a safe place you can lay them down in for this.

It’s raised sides provide a barrier against your body, bed pillows and blankets.

The size pictured in this post is the DockATot Deluxe size for 0-8 Months, but they also offer a Grand dock for 9-36 months.

Personally, we never felt the need to move to the DockATot Grand size.

I recommend having two DockATot covers to swap out when one is being washed.

Because of the zipper, they are surprisingly easy to take off and put back on.

Shop the DockATot Deluxe+

Our exact cover patterns are no longer sold unfortunately, but Dockatot continues to make a variety of prints in neutrals and fun, colorful patterns. You can shop and check availability HERE!

Can Babies Sleep in a DockATot?

Unfortunately no, babies cannot sleep in a DockATot due to safety reasons. This is due to the possible risk of suffocation because the sides are not firm enough. The DockATot should only be used as an infant lounger with supervised use.

For reference, the safety standards for a safe sleeping environment according to the AAP are…

A flat, firm surface
Room-sharing without bed sharing
A bare crib with no soft bedding
No use of crib bumpers, sleep positioners, mattress pad, etc.

Snuggle Me vs Dock A Tot: What’s the Difference?

The DockATot and Snuggle Me Organic are similar products – they are both marketed as a baby lounger.

According to DockATot’s website, “it’s important that you keep your baby within view when they are in a Deluxe+ dock. A baby left alone can begin to crawl or scoot out of the dock unexpectedly. The Deluxe+ dock is not a bassinet, play yard, or crib – it does not have high sides to contain the baby”.

As for quality, both products are Oeko-Tex Standard certified and based on both of their online reviews… moms everywhere love them!