FAQs - Using your dock

We do not use any flame retardants in any part of our docks, as our products meet the appropriate flammability tests without the addition of such chemicals. 

The materials used in the DockATot are Oeko-Tex certified as not containing harmful chemicals.

Deluxe+ docks are not intended for overnight sleep.

Babies fall asleep most anywhere you put them, and this may include a Deluxe+ dock. You should always supervise your baby in the dock, whether awake or asleep. The dock is not designed to contain a child and babies can begin to crawl or scoot unexpectedly. A baby that wakes up alone may try to find you and can fall or become entrapped between adjacent objects.

For overnight sleep, or for any time that you are not able to supervise, you should move your baby to a bare product subject to a mandatory sleep standard (such as a bassinet, Moses basket, crib/cot, cradle, or play yard), on their back.

Children older than one year of age and otherwise ready to sleep in a big-kid or toddler bed on their own may use a Grand dock in their toddler or big-kid bed.

You can buy the separate pieces and together they will make up a complete dock.  

If buying a Deluxe dock, you'll need the following:

    A. Deluxe cover

    B. Deluxe tube

    C. Deluxe pad

    D. Deluxe storage bag (this is optional but some people find them useful for storage)

If you're buying a Grand dock, you'll need the following:

    A. Grand cover

    B. Grand tube

    C. Grand pad

    D. Grand storage bag (this is optional but some people find them useful for storage)

Please note that Deluxe replacement parts are only to be used with Deluxe docks, and Grand replacement parts are only to be used with Grand docks. Never use components of dock separately. Only use when fully assembled and zipped. Loose fabric and parts may present a suffocation hazard.

No. It is not safe to carry your baby in the dock.

While docks themselves are very portable, remove your child before transporting dock, even for short distances.

We strongly advise against placing anything in the dock with the baby. Blankets (and pillows) present a suffocation risk if the baby should roll over onto baby's tummy in the dock, and can also lead to overheating. A child placed in a dock should be dressed appropriately for the temperature of the room.

Waterproof materials can also harbor heat, which can potentially lead to overheating, and can trap moisture, which can potentially lead to mildew.

The Grand dock is intended and sized for ages 9 months and older. The smaller-sized Deluxe+ dock is better for giving young infants (0-8 months) an appropriate fit.  

You can place your properly swaddled baby, on their back, in the dock. When a baby exhibits signs of attempting to roll, swaddling should no longer be used. A child placed in a dock should be dressed appropriately for the temperature of the room.

If you are placing your baby down to sleep, we recommend that you put them in a bare product subject to a mandatory sleep standard (such as a bassinet, Moses basket, crib/cot, cradle, or play yard), on their back. DockATot docks are not to be used inside of a crib/cot, cradle, bassinet, Moses basket, or play yard.

No. DockATot docks should not be used in a crib/cot, cradle, bassinet or play yard. Babies should be placed in a bare crib/cot without any additional bedding, blankets or pillows. There is a concern that an infant who can scoot or crawl out of the dock might get entrapped between the side of the crib/cot, cradle, bassinet or play yard and the dock.

There have been incidents involving other products where babies have suffocated after becoming entrapped between a soft product and the side of a crib/cot, cradle, bassinet or play yard, and incidents where babies have suffocated on soft bedding like blankets and comforters. This is why when it comes to an infant's sleep environment, bare is best. It is also why we warn that blankets and pillows should not be placed in a dock with a baby.

The Grand dock can be used in a toddler bed or big-kid bed, once the child is otherwise ready for such a sleep setting, and then only placed at a height that allows the child to safely descend on their own. For important safety information about use of the Grand Dock in a toddler or other big-kid bed, click here.

No.  DockATot docks should only be used when fully assembled and zipped.  Loose fabric and parts may present a suffocation hazard.  

Until there is more of a global consensus on mandatory standards for products offered for bedsharing (sometimes called co-sleeping), we do not recommend our Deluxe+ dock be used for bedsharing.

Globally prominent safety guidance is that the safest place for a baby to sleep during the first year of life is in an infant sleep product subject to a mandatory standard (such as a bassinet, Moses basket, crib/cot, cradle, or play yard). As no one knows your child better than you and your doctor, we believe you should consult your pediatrician about your sleep arrangements.

Learn more about the evolution of our bedsharing message here, and more about why some loungers say that they can be used for overnight sleep and we do not here.

Globally prominent safety guidance is that a baby should only be placed on their back to rest until they are one year of age. Because babies may fall asleep anytime, even unexpectedly, aside from tummy time, we advise that babies less than one year of age always be placed on their back in the dock for lounging.

Pediatricians advise that once a baby is capable of rolling over from back to stomach, and stomach to back, the baby can be allowed to rest in the position that the baby assumes. We recommend that parents place their baby on their back and allow their child to choose their position once they are capable of rolling from back to stomach and stomach to back within the dock.

A healthy tot of over one year of age may be placed in the dock however they prefer.

As always, we recommend you also check with your pediatrician about the best practices for your baby’s stage of development. 

Avoid folding and creasing the pad. Do not squish the dock, or store it bunched up.  Do not machine wash or tumble dry the pad, as doing so can cause permanently folding and creasing of the pad.

Hand wash the pad in cold water and lay flat to dry completely.

If you are concerned about "mold" on your dock, it is actually likely mildew that concerns you (mildew is what sometimes grows on damp textiles, whereas mold tends to grow on food or in other areas).  Any time fabric does not dry out after getting wet (e.g. from wet diapers, spit-up, sweat, or incomplete drying after washing, etc.), there is a chance mildew can develop.  Here is how you can help prevent mildew from developing on your DockATot dock:

✅ Be sure to remove the cardboard insert before first use of the product.

✅ If the DockATot dock gets wet or damp, allow it to dry completely before using or stowing away.

✅ Move the DockATot dock about—regularly shake it, ventilate it, and expose it to light and fresh air.

✅ Avoid storing the DockATot dock in humid or damp areas.   

✅ Never add waterproof materials to, in, or beneath the DockATot dock.

If you should find mildew on the DockATot dock over time, we recommend adding a cup of white vinegar when washing the product according to the instructions on the product label.  Alternatively, you can soak the affected piece to soak in a solution of white vinegar and water for an hour or two before washing the piece according to the instructions on the product label. 

Notably, there is nothing in the materials of DockATot docks that causes mildew, and we have refrained from adding anti-fungal or anti-bacterial chemicals to the DockATot dock.  However, like any fabric product, mildew can grow on a DockATot dock if it gets wet and is not fully dried.  Appropriate care is necessary to keep your dock in top shape.

If you have any other questions or concerns you can contact us at info@dockatotmiddleeast.com.

The dock is an ideal travel companion for parents with babies and toddlers.

We offer stylish and functional Transport Bags on our website to help keep your dock protected while on the go. You can find them here:  https://dockatotmiddleeast.com/collections/transport-bags

The DockATot dock can easily be checked as luggage, and the Deluxe+ dock fits in many carry-on bins. With a DockATot dock in tow, you won't need to bring baby up to the hotel room to lounge during the day. Many parents write in to tell us the sheer luxury of having their little one relax under an umbrella with them.

Deluxe+

The DockATot Deluxe+ dock comes with a buckle that can be closed. Please note that as a safety precaution, the buckle is designed to self-release under slight pressure.

Releasing the buckle makes diaper/nappy changing easier, and also lengthens the dock a bit as your little one grows. Be careful not to force the buckle open—but rather unclip it—as pulling it open unnecessarily may weaken it over time. 

Never carry your child in a DockATot dock, even if the buckle is closed.

Grand 

The current model of the DockATot Grand dock does not have a buckle. 

For prior models of the DockATot Grand dock that came with a buckle, keep the buckle unclipped (open) when your child is using the dock for easier entry and exit. The buckle can be closed for ease of storage or travel.

Please note that as a safety precaution the buckle is designed to self-release under slight pressure. Be careful not to force the buckle open—but rather unclip it—as pulling it open unnecessarily may weaken it over time. 

Never carry your child in a DockATot dock, even if the buckle is closed.

Babies fall asleep most anywhere you put them, and this may include a DockATot Deluxe+ dock. Deluxe+ docks are not intended for overnight sleep. You should always supervise your baby in the dock, whether awake or asleep.

The dock is not designed to contain a child and babies can begin to crawl or scoot unexpectedly. A baby that wakes up alone may try to find you and can fall or become entrapped between adjacent objects.

For overnight sleep and for any time when you are not able to supervise your baby, we recommend using a product subject to a mandatory standard contemplating infant sleep (such as a bassinet, Moses basket, crib/cot, cradle, or play yard), on their back.

The docks are clean and do not require washing. We only handle them with white gloves during the sewing process. If you wish to wash the dock prior to the first use, be sure to follow the washing instructions which can be found here.

The Deluxe+ dock is intended for babies approximately 0-8 months. The Grand dock is approximately 50% longer and wider than the Deluxe+ dock and is intended for tots approximately 9-36 months. Our experience is that parents seem to think their baby has outgrown the Deluxe size before baby is uncomfortable. As your baby grows, unbuckle the Deluxe+ dock to give their legs some room. 

Once your child is approximately 9 months of age, your child can begin using the DockATot Grand dock. As most children fit the Grand dock up to 36 months and beyond, the Grand dock can grow with your child.

For younger users, especially, those under one year of age, the Grand dock functions like a Deluxe dock.

At an appropriate age, the Grand dock may be used in a toddler or big-kid bed once the child is able to safely climb in and out of the dock and bed independently and is otherwise ready for such a sleep setting. The Grand dock should not be placed in a confined space, like a crib/cot.

Before letting a child sleep in a toddler bed, it is important that the child’s room be “child-proofed” with no accessible dangerous items like small parts, cords or strings, including window blind cords, medicines, cleaning supplies, etc. If the child can access other rooms once out of bed, those rooms also should be child-proofed.