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This is our in-depth review of 7 safe Dock A Tot alternatives for newborns and infants.
As a parent, I want to make sure that my child is safe when she plays or sleeps. This is why I spent countless hours researching safe Dock A Tot alternatives.
Our top choice is the Topponcino. We feel a lot safer using the Topponcino because there are no raised sides that can obstruct my baby’s breathing.
But why not use a Dock A Tot? What is wrong with it?
Well, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning stating that “It is unsafe for your baby to sleep in a DockATot Deluxe+; immediately discontinue its use.” I’ll share the details later in this article.
Even though DockATot markets the Deluxe+ as a sleep product, leaving your baby unsupervised in a DockATot increases the risk of suffocation.
So below are some of the best and safe Dock A Tot alternatives.
7. Babymoov Cosymorpho Universal Infant Insert Cushion. Best infant insert.
Do you need a DockATot? No. The DockATot is basically a pillow that will cost you almost $200. That sounds crazy to me!
Besides being unsafe for sleeping babies, they are very expensive. This is why we recommend the following budget-friendly and safer DockATot alternatives.
Please only use these products during supervised awake times and not for sleeping.
Image: Topponcino
We love the Topponcino! This is by far the safest alternative to the DockATot as it meets or exceeds the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards.
The Topponcino has a unique oval design that hugs your baby and supports their body while you hold, feed, or transition them from place to place.
This high-quality support pillow will provide safety and comfort throughout your baby’s first few delicate months.
What we love about the Topponcino is that it does not have any raised sides that may interfere with your baby’s breathing.
It is also a Montessori-inspired product and is considered a true Montessori baby item because it aligns with the Montessori philosophy.
Image: Lovevery
While the Topponcino is a support pillow, the Lovevery Play Gym is a developmental play gym that nurtures your child’s development from newborn to toddlerhood.
The Play Gym has won the Parent’s Choice Award due to its patented design that provides stage-based activities that engage your child throughout their first year.
If you are looking for a play mat that supports your child’s physical and cognitive development, then look no further.
We got the Play Gym immediately after the birth of our daughter and we saw a huge improvement in my child’s development over her first few months.
The Play Gym comes with five developmental zones to foster your child’s exploration and growth. You’ll also get a guide that shows you how to use the Play Gym according to your child’s age.
All in all, this is a Play Gym that you should add to your child’s bedroom.
Image: Maisonette
The Socosy Baby Lounger adapts to your baby’s body shape and provides excellent head and back support. The head support is designed to help prevent flat-head syndrome.
Its design allows your baby to lie down in a frog-like position (legs slightly bent) which helps with digestion and promotes your baby’s development.
Unlike some support pillows that look like an oval donut, the Socosy Baby Lounger is designed to provide a “cocoon-like” hugging effect that allows your baby to rest comfortably.
The cushion around the lounger is not too high or thick, and that makes me feel comfortable knowing that the risk of suffocation is minimal.
The Socosy Baby Lounger also has an adjustable leg roll that can be adjusted according to your child’s size.
Image: Maisonette
The CloudNest Anti-Colic Baby Lounger was designed by a midwife to naturally relieve a baby’s colic.
It has a built-in heating pad filled with organic flaxseed that naturally soothes your baby by mimicking the cozy environment of a mother’s womb.
This baby lounger has a proven track record of preventing colic and the Moro or startle reflex. The pillow arms can be adjusted to hug your baby as if they were in your arms.
We also like how you can place one of the pillow arms under your baby’s leg to elevate them. This helps them lie on their back in a fetal position which soothes your baby and helps with digestion.
Image: Baby Cubby
If you prefer to have your baby close to you while you sleep, then the Maxi-Cosi Iora Bedside Bassinet can be the right option.
It is very easy to move the bassinet side to side and adjust its height depending on your needs. The breathable mesh makes it easy to keep an eye on your baby while they sleep.
This bassinet comes with a very comfortable mattress. The mesh siding is super breathable and that brings a lot of peace to our hearts knowing that there is constant airflow going through it.
The bassinet includes a storage basket where you can store clothes, lotions, and baby diapers. So if you need to change a diaper in the middle of the night, everything you need is stored right under the bassinet.
If you are traveling (we often do), you can fold the Lora bassinet and take it with you. The travel bag that comes with it makes it very easy to carry.
However, if you are traveling by plane, the bassinet may be too bulky to fit in your luggage. But if you are just visiting a friend or going to the park, then you can easily carry it.
Image: Peeka & Co
This is the best compact bassinet to bring with you everywhere you go. Whether you need a product for your baby to lie down or change diapers, the Babymoov Travelnest has you covered.
It is the perfect size travel nest with various storage options and a comfortable shoulder strap that makes it easy to carry.
Traveling with a baby can be tough as you have to carry all sorts of tools and gadgets. The Travelnest is a 3-in-1 travel bassinet, changing station, and diaper bag. Your work has just been simplified!
We like how versatile and compact it is. Simply open it up to use it as a carrycot. It also comes with a small removable mattress that adds comfort when your baby sleeps.
The handles are also cleverly designed to make it easy to transport the carrycot without waking up your baby.
Image: Peeka & Co
The Cosymorpho Universal Infant Insert is another great product by Babymoov. It is small, sleek, and portable so you can take it everywhere you go.
And the best part: it fits on almost every other baby product like your stroller, bouncer, or rocker and adds additional comfort to all of your baby gear!
The main reason we like the Cosymorpho (and you will too) is that it adapts to other equipment like your stroller or car seat. So instead of buying all kinds of baby inserts, the Cosymorpho fits almost all 2, 3, and 5-point harnesses.
Similar to other products by Babymoov, it is designed to support your baby’s head, back, neck, and body due to its ergonomic headrest and visco-elastic memory foam.
Keep in mind that this is not a standalone item. It is an insert that you can use with other baby equipment.
OK, I promised I was going to give you more information about the safety of a DockATot. As I mentioned earlier, your baby should not be sleeping in it and this is why.
On November 9, 2022, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a statement letting the public know to discontinue the use of the DockATot Deluxe+ due to reports of infant deaths associated with the product.
The CPSC also informed DockATot that they are in violation of the Infant Sleep Products Rule, which eliminates products that are too dangerous for infant sleep and should discontinue all products that were made on or after June 23, 2022.
So if the CPSC warned DockATot about the sleep dangers of the Deluxe+, does that mean they are recalled?
The answer is no. Even though every DockATot Deluxe+ made on or after June 23, 2022, are unsafe, they can still sell products made before this date.
DockATot still has a lot of inventory and they are free to sell their stock until it runs out. Once they sell all of their inventory, they cannot manufacture or import new products.
If you already own a DockATot Deluxe+, discontinue its use immediately!
There are better and safer DockATot options like the Topponcino I recommended earlier. I’ve done some research to see if you can return a used Deluxe+ but could not find any information.
Their refund policy states that you can only return items within 60 days of purchase.
If you bought the Deluxe+ at a retailer, you can contact the retailer to learn more about their return policy as it relates to this product.
These are 7 safer DockATot alternatives to ensure that your child is safe during awake time, playtime, or tummy time.
If you are looking for more baby products to keep your child entertained, then check out my list of best toys by age to help develop your child’s skills.
Hello, I am Leslie. I am on a mission to help you support the growth and development of your child. With the right tools and proper guidance, you can navigate parenthood with confidence and assertion! My goal is to equip you with knowledge to help you construct a strong foundation for your child’s life.
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