Disclosure: Affiliate links may be used in this post, at no cost to you.
Baby loungers are an excellent way to free your hands when looking after your baby and give both moms and dads a well-deserved break while your little one relaxes. But should you choose the Snuggle Me vs DockATot baby lounger?
The Snuggle Me and DockATot are both safe baby loungers with their own advantages and disadvantages. The similarities include their age range, functionality, and portability. The main differences between the two are their size, material, comfort level, and price.
To give you a better idea of which infant lounger will work best for you and your baby, we’ve compiled a comprehensive review of both the Snuggle Me lounger and DockATot lounger. We’ll cover the differences, similarities, and frequently asked questions about each baby product.
Let’s get started!
Snuggle Me vs DockATot: Which One is Better?
Baby loungers are great for moms and dads that are always on the go and can be particularly useful for stay-at-home parents. If you’ve been searching for a solution like this, you’ve surely come across both the Snuggle Me lounger and DockATot lounger.
Both of these loungers are fantastic and offer similar features!
Like most baby loungers, they provide a safe place for your baby to relax and even practice tummy time. But, while these loungers are similar in design and purpose, the DockATot offers a few different features the Snuggle Me doesn’t have.
While these features can be helpful, you shouldn’t discount the Snuggle Me just yet. Before you decide which is the best baby lounger, you should take the time to compare both the differences and similarities of the Snuggle Me vs DockATot.
DockATot vs Snuggle Me: What’s Different?
The main differences between the DockATot & Snuggle Me loungers include size, material, comfort, and price.
Size Difference
It’s no secret that baby products are expensive, and babies tend to grow out of things very quickly. So, when examining new products, size is always an important factor.
The DockATot and Snuggle Me loungers come in two sizes: one for infants and one for toddlers. When you look at the size difference between these products, there is one clear-cut winner.
Snuggle Me loungers come in the Organic Infant and the Organic Toddler sizes. The exterior sizes of each lounger are 29” x 17” and 36” x 20”, respectively.
DockATot offers the Deluxe + and Grand, which measure 29” x 18” and 48” x 24” respectively. When you compare the two smaller sizes, the difference is marginal. However, there is a much clearer difference between the toddler sizes of the two loungers.
Because the DockATot offers slightly bigger sizes, the lounger has room for your baby to grow. You’ll also be able to use the lounger for longer than the Snuggle Me. However, suppose you only want to use the lounger during infancy. In that case, either option will work perfect for younger babies.
Difference In Material
A baby’s skin is naturally soft and sensitive, so it’s only natural to want to protect their skin. Baby loungers can be used for long periods, depending on what you’re using them for. While your baby is awake and active, it’s important to know that they’re comfortable though.
Snuggle Me loungers are a popular choice for eco-friendly mamas, and for a good reason due to the organic materials they’re made with. Not only do Snuggle Me baby loungers come in a range of organic fabrics, but they are also all-natural and chemical-free.
DockATot doesn’t offer an organic cotton option for its loungers. While this may seem like a drawback, they are made of 100% cotton and completely hypoallergenic fabrics. The light fabric allows the lounger to be comfortable and breathable for your baby.
If you’re looking for an organic baby lounger, then the Snuggle Me is the better choice.
Related: 12 Safe Rock n Play Alternative Ideas
Comfort Difference
The whole point of using a baby lounger is to give new parents a safe environment to rest and play during the day. We also need to consider comfort while deciding which baby nest is better.
The DockATot gives your baby a lot of room to wiggle and move around, which is excellent for keeping your baby active and alert. Similarly, having more space during tummy time is a fantastic advantage to owning this lounger.
On the other hand, the Snuggle Me has a much softer interior, and the padded sides pull up around baby’s body to give the lounger a hugging effect. This snug fit means that your baby will have all the comforts of being swaddled and hugged while they are using this lounger.
These similar products offer different aspects of comfort. The decision of which lounger is better regarding comfort is primarily impacted by how you want to use it.
Price Difference
We know baby products can be pricey! When comparing two similar loungers with almost identical features, your final decision may come down to price.
If you’re a mom (or dad) on a budget, the Snuggle Me infant lounger is the best choice for affordability. But, if you have a bit of extra cash, you may not mind splurging on the Dock A Tot Deluxe.
There’s about a $50-$70 price difference between the DockATot vs Snuggle Me!
Related: A Review of the Newton Baby Crib Mattress
Snuggle Me vs DockATot: What’s Similar?
While both options clearly have a different design, the similarities between the Snuggle Me vs DockATot loungers are their age ranges, functionality, and portability.
Age Range
We’ve already mentioned that the DockATot comes in bigger sizes than the Snuggle Me. Still, these both companies offer sizes that cater to babies of the same age.
The DockATot Deluxe + and the Snuggle Me Organic Infant cater to infants that are not yet crawling. While the DockATot guidelines state that their Deluxe + is for infants up to eight months, you can use the lounger without hassle for babies up to nine months of age, just like the Snuggle Me.
Similarly, both loungers offer different sizes for older babies and toddlers. Both the DockATot Grand and the Snuggle Me Organic Toddler loungers cater to babies between nine months and three years old, which means that you will get a lot of use from either of these docks!
Similar Functionality
Baby loungers give your baby a different way to observe their surroundings and enjoy activities while they’re awake. Both the DockATot and Snuggle Me offer similar functionality when they’re compared, though.
The loungers allow for quick and easy diaper changes and help to eliminate the unnecessary difficulty of trying to change your baby while they wriggle and roll over! It’s also a great place to practice tummy time, initiate interactive playtime, and lounge around.
It’s important to note that while some parents use baby loungers to facilitate co-sleeping, this practice is potentially dangerous to your baby. You should only use baby loungers under supervision. You should never use them for sleeping purposes in or out of cots.
Related: Is the Dreamland Weighted Sleep Sack Safe for Babies?
Similar Portability
Because both of these docks are super lightweight, and completely portable. They can even be used as a familiar spot for your baby to enjoy while traveling to help them relax.
The DockAtTot weighs just under 5 pounds, while the Snuggle Me is a mere 3 pounds! This means that taking these loungers with you is a breeze.
One of the biggest differences between the DockATot vs Snuggle Me in portability though is the DockATot Getaway Tote.
While the Snuggle Me team doesn’t offer an official travel bag, it does come in a zippered case when you purchase it.
However, the DockATot Getaway Tote is made in weather resistant fabric and comes with a crossbody shoulder strap that’s padded. It’s perfect for overnight use or traveling on an airplane for family vacation. Plus, it’s stylish too!
Machine Washable Removable Cover
Both DockATot and Snuggle Me offer a removable cover that’s machine washable.
We recommend purchasing an extra cover for use while you are washing the other.
The outer cover is always at risk from occasional blowouts and spit up!
Both options are easy to clean though in your washing machine.
Related: Your Complete Newborn Checklist [Free Printable]
How to Safely Use These Popular Baby Loungers
Baby loungers or “baby pods” are an excellent way to free up your hands and give your baby a safe space to relax and play while awake and being supervised. It’s important to note that baby loungers can threaten your baby’s health and safety if they are used incorrectly.
Always follow the published safety guidelines for peace of mind.
According to the safe sleep recommendations published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, DockATot, Snuggle Me Original, and any other brand of baby lounger should only be used with supervision.
If your baby is left unsupervised such as during overnight sleep, they may roll over in their lounger and suffocate into the raised sides.
Newborn babies are generally unable to roll over onto their back for the first few months. However, eventually small babies can roll from their back onto their stomach. If your newborn baby cannot move back into its original position, they may be in danger.
Suffocation can also occur if they turn onto their stomachs because their face will get caught in the nest pillow. Because most infants don’t have enough strength to lift their necks, they will be unable to move their faces.
In addition, a baby lounger should not be used in the crib or when you are practicing co-sleeping. When it comes to baby loungers, the main dangers are turning over, falling asleep, or even dropping to the floor.
You should only use your baby lounger on a floor or hard, flat surface with a larger area. That way, if your baby were to roll over for any reason, there is no risk of your baby tumbling onto the floor and becoming injured.
If you notice that your baby is falling asleep while in their lounger, it’s best to remove them from the dock and place them into their crib or bassinet for nap time.
Related: An Unbiased Review of the gB Pockit Stroller
Frequently Asked Questions about the Snuggle Me and DockATot Baby Loungers
Now that you have a better idea of which baby lounger suits you and your child best, we wanted to take a closer look at the most frequently asked questions about the Snuggle Me Organic Infant lounger and the DockATot Deluxe lounger.
Is Snuggle Me Safer Than DockATot?
The Snuggle Me baby lounger has higher walls and is more snug around your child when inside. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the Snuggle Me is safer.
Because you will need to supervise your child while they are in any baby lounger, both loungers are equally as safe. Both loungers also use soft fabrics and breathable materials to keep your baby comfortable and secure.
Why Are Snuggle Me’s Not Safe For Sleep?
As with any other baby lounger, Snuggle Me’s should not be used for sleeping. If your baby is left unattended, they can roll over and suffocate. Similarly, suppose you are using a baby lounger for co-sleeping. In that case, your baby is at risk of rolling and tumbling off the bed or rolling onto their stomach with no way to flip over again.
You should always use your baby lounger while your baby is awake and active. You will need to supervise play, interaction, and relaxation while your baby is on the dock.
Can Babies Sleep On A DockATot?
While some parents use baby loungers to aid sleeping and daytime naps, you should not use DockATot’s and other loungers for this purpose.
Because there is a high risk of injury and suffocation when using a baby lounger for sleeping, it’s best to put your baby into their cot or bassinet when they are due for their nap.
Does Snuggle Me Fit In A Moses Basket?
Yes, the Snuggle Me baby lounger can fit into a Moses basket. However, this is only true for the Snuggle Me Organic Infant, which is much smaller than its Toddler counterpart.
Similarly, you can also use the DockATot Deluxe + in a Moses basket.
Is The Snuggle Me Worth It?
Yes! The Snuggle Me is an excellent investment, especially for stay-at-home moms and dads. If you work from home or need to get chores done, then you can safely use this baby lounger to keep your baby safe and secure while under your supervision.
While you can use the Snuggle Me to allow your baby to relax and give yourself a break, you will need to ensure that you only use the lounger on a flat surface (like the floor) where your baby will not be able to roll over and tumble. Your baby and the lounger should always be in clear view when using the Snuggle Me.
Related: The Best Travel Blackout Curtains for Newborns
The Verdict On This Detailed Comparison Of The DockATot vs Snuggle Me
We’ve outlined both the similarities and differences between the Snuggle Me vs DockATot in our side by side comparison.
Our takeaway is that the DockATot is better for longevity because it can be used for bigger babies and a longer period. Similarly, your baby will have more room to wiggle and enjoy activities like tummy time under your supervision.
However, the Snuggle Me is an eco and budget-friendly option for moms and dads looking for a simple way to keep their babies comfortable and happy during the day.
Overall, the decision is still largely relative, and you will need to decide for yourself whether the DockATot vs Snuggle Me will suit your family best.
Related Posts on Baby Products
Our Family’s Review of the Sleepout Crib Mattress
Magic Merlin Sleep Suit Review
Best Pack N Play Mattresses for Baby
4 Ways to Safely Use a DockATot
hadil says
Really it’s fantastic article post, thank you!
Natacha Benes says
An excellent read that will keep readers – particularly me – coming back for more! Also, I’d genuinely appreciate if you check my website QN5 about Airport Transfer. Thank you and best of luck!