It means that anything that can potentially create a little air pocket for baby to rebreathe air (a blanket, a crib bumper, a stuffed animal, mom's sleep shirt) poses a risk. This means that baby's face doesn't have to be smashed into an impermeable surface to be at risk. It's important to understand that rebreathing carbon dioxide is widely believed to be one of the main contributors to SIDS. Safe Sleep Experts unanimously agree that pillows ('breathable' or not) should not be used in a baby's sleep environment. The standard the DockATot producers cite is a British standard for air permeability of infant pillows. It's a marketing term also used by the makers of raincoats, sports bras, bandages, etc. 'Breathability' is not a regulated term in the U.S. 'Breathability' is the only safety regulation or standard the DockATot website cites that is related to sleep (all those others relate to hazardous materials, choking hazards, flammability, etc.). Only products labeled with the words 'crib,' 'bassinet,' or 'play yard' / 'playard' do. The DockATot website refers readers 'to always follow the safe sleeping tips recommended by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission because absolutely nothing is more important than the safety of a child.' Ironically, the DockATot does not meet CPSC standards for a safe sleep environment. Placing the DockATot in a crib, bassinet or other sleep surface is against the manufacturer's warnings and is not safe. Safe Sleep Experts agree that there is no 'safe co-sleeping.' Co-sleeping is one of the biggest risk factors for infant sleep deaths. The DockATot is designed as an in-bed co-sleeper. So let's look at the safety concerns of the DockATot: But we've already agreed that that isn't our top priority as parents. I say sadly because it seems to REALLY help many babies sleep. So is the DockATot safe for sleep? Sadly, no. But when you're searching the web for answers about sleep safety - you probably want to know what the SAFEST sleep options are - those which decrease your baby's risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). Before I get 400 comments on this article, I'll say it right now - YES, there are plenty of babies who have slept in a DockaTot (and other non-recommended sleep environments) who are just fine. Thanks for supporting CanDo Kiddo. See my disclosure page for more information.įirst, let's clarify that when we're talking about sleep safety, we're talking about RISK. This page includes affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission when you purchase products through these links. I only link to products I use or love. In this article I'll be referencing 'Safe Sleep Experts.' This includes researchers of studies published in peer-reviewed journals, The National Institutes of Health, The American Academy of Family Physicians, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The Consumer Product Safety Commission and other professional organizations. I share this safe sleep information to help you make informed decisions that feel right for your family, not to condemn or shame any decisions you make or have already made. I respect that we do not all have the same contexts and considerations when making decisions about our children. But other people make the same choices I did knowingly and in those cases, they aren’t mistakes. I say “safe sleep mistakes” because I made them unintentionally - my decisions weren’t well-informed. And so I repeat 4 affirmations to myself to turn down my own parenting guilt for decisions that I regret.

A combination of a lack of full understanding of certain risks, desperation for sleep, misinformation from friends and blogs has led me to make safe sleep mistakes of my own. and tackle some other frequently asked safe sleep questions.Īnd before you think I'm up on some pedestal of parenting perfection, let me confess my sleep safety sins. 'Is the (magical, miracle, lifesaver, sleep-inducing) DockATot safe?' So let's answer the commonly asked question: Your baby's safety is your top priority.Īs important as sleep safety is for babies, there's a lot of misinformation floating around. Other parents swear it's helping their babies sleep (like, a LOT of other parents!) and since so many parents are using it and stores are selling it - it must be safe, right?Īs an exhausted new parent you’re likely so desperate for sleep (or as an expectant parent worried that your new baby won't sleep) that you're willing to overlook a $160+ price tag for some quality zzzz's.īut, is the DockATot really all it's cracked up to be? And, more importantly, is it safe for sleep?!Īs tired as you are by your infant's sleep or lack thereof.Īs worried as you are about getting rest once baby comes.Īs tempting as it is to overlook this fact at 3:30am when every other soul on the face of the earth is sleeping soundly and you are alone and desperate in the dark with a crying baby.

Dock it tot