One of Our Favorite Big-Ticket Baby Items Is on Sale: The DockATot

When I was pregnant with my third baby, there were only a few items that I really wanted to buy before our little one arrived. Our baby was already receiving plenty of hand-me-downs from his brother and sister, but the DockATot was the one big-ticket item that really felt like a must-have. Now after a few months of using the DockATot every single day, it has become a fan favorite around here.

If you check out the DockATot online, you’ll find tons of glowing reviews from moms and celebrities alike that absolutely love this piece of baby gear. Like the name suggests, it’s a place to dock your tot. From lounging to napping and playing, the DockATot creates a snug and comfy place for your baby anywhere in your house or while traveling.

According to the brand, it’s designed to mimic the womb so your baby is comforted by the snug feeling. This can help babies in those early newborn days to feel calm and more secure. This may have been why the Dock was my baby’s favorite place to snooze — other than in my arms.

The DockATot is super lightweight and easy to carry so your baby can always be by your side. When I was working, my little guy could snuggle up in his DockATot right next to me and, if I went upstairs, the baby and the Dock came along. Rather than having my house covered in tons of baby seats, swings and rockers, the Dock helped to simplify and streamline what we had in our house. This is an added bonus when you have more than one kid that has lots of stuff.

The DockATot made it easy for me to be hands-free when I was with my other two kids or trying to get something done like cleaning the house or actually eating something. So, while my baby was cozy in his Dock, I was able to multi-task—a win/win for both of us.

Because we had to deal with Plagiocephaly, flat head syndrome, with my oldest son, I am almost hyper-aware of the amount of time my babies spend on their backs and what kind of surfaces they are laying on. Since the DockATot mattress is made from soft thermos-bonded fiber that is said to relieve pressure on the baby’s head, I feel more relieved when he is in it. It’s also made from hypoallergenic materials that don’t harbor heat to ensure an optimal sleeping temperature for your baby, which helps put a new mom’s mind at ease.

We even took the DockATot with us when we went on a family vacation and when traveling to see my family. Here’s a tip: save the zippered bag and cardboard insert that comes with the original packaging because you’ll want to use it again to keep the DockATot clean and help maintain its shape when on-the-go.

The DockATot is well made and the covers come in a variety of colors that you can match with your nursery or home décor. It does get a little tricky when it comes to washing, but just follow the directions from the company to clean all of the parts correctly.

I’m a fan of gear that you can use for a while with your baby. The DockATot Deluxe is designed for babies zero to eight months and the larger "Grand" size is good for nine to 36-month-olds, so both are great options.

If you’ve been thinking about splurging on a DockATot, now is the time: all Docks are 15 percent off during Buy Buy Baby's January Sale. Grab it if you're a mom-to-be or looking for a gift for your favorite new mama.

BUY IT: BuyBuyBaby, $234