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While DockATot is the official product name you will more likely see it online as dockatot, dock a tot, or even baby nest which refers to the larger category of products it’s similar to.ĭockATot safety issues, as I said, are the main reason I felt compelled to write this post. They do say not to use the product in a crib, I’m not sure why they think it’s safe to use on an adult bed while co-sleeping but not in their own crib, but these are the warnings the manufacturer gives. Using this product for sleeping or co-sleeping is where the problems lie. The item is promoted as being for “lounging, supervised napping and tummy time, co-sleeping, changing diapers, cuddling and playing” according to the company website. It has a flat but soft center with large rounded sides. My goal is simply to ensure that you are making an educated decision about what’s best for your family.įor those who are not familiar, a DockATot is a product that resembles an inflatable pool bed. That’s why I’m always compelled to comment and share facts about the risks when I see someone suggesting the use of this and other unsafe products. I don’t want to see someone suffer a tragedy or near-tragedy and not even know that they were taking a risk. Unfortunately, there are moms who are in that small percentage that suffer terrible tragedies. Often, the risk, percentage-wise, is quite low and it’s up to each mom to decide what risks they are willing to take. Yet we often put our children to sleep in unsafe ways. Our parents rode in cars without car seats but most of us wouldn’t consider letting our own children ride in cars this way. Consider these Infant Floor Seats + Baby Chairs instead!
There’s a term for it “survival bias”, which occurs when you ignore those that suffered because you personally, or a vast majority did not suffer from a certain behavior. This sort of anecdotal science is however NOT evidence that a product or practice is safe. I’m no fan of mommy shaming but I am a fan of education and the phrase “know better, do better.” I’m in a lot of mom groups online and I frequently see people say we did it and my child is fine, which they apparently think is evidence that a product, practice, etc. Jump to the Frequently Asked Questions section. With all these posts and articles out there promoting use of the DockATot I felt compelled to write a counter piece explaining why I think you should NOT use a dock a tot for your child due to safety concerns. It also seems to be in just about every mom bundle giveaway I see on Instagram. Lately, as I scroll Pinterest and Facebook I have been seeing one item promoted, again and again: the DockATot.
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