DockATot Grand (previously known as Sleepyhead) review

While its price point is undeniably high, DockATot has a reputation for products that look as good as they are useful.

Tested by:

Lorna tested the Grand with her daughter Boa Grace, from age 10 months up until 16 months.

What were your first impressions of the DockATot Grand?

I used the DockATot Deluxe for my daughter from birth, hailing it as the MOST essential baby item product I had, so I was thrilled to test the DockATot Grand.

I had a great first impression of the product. It arrived in a big zip up bag, which can be reused for travel and storage, and a cardboard sleeve to keep its shape. I really like that the packaging can be reused for travel and storage purposes.

The thing that stood out to me the most was the quality of the material used. Not only was the print absolutely stunning – a William Morris Boughs design it was so soft to touch – the zipper was very strong with a soft pull label and the zip track also felt soft yet very sturdy.

Are the instructions on how to use the DockATot Grand clear and easy to follow?

The dock comes with a cardboard sleeve that states what its uses are, but it doesn’t say that it is not to be used for unsupervised sleep aid.

There are further instructions sewn into the bottom of the DockATot (see pic) but for clarity and visibility, I think these should have come on the packaging as well, especially since it has been re-branded as not a sleep aid and parents might assume that it is it for this purpose.

How is it different to the Sleepyhead Grand?

It is basically the same product, but has been rebranded to reflect its different functions (some of the user reviews below are for the Sleepyhead-branded version).

How is the DockATot Grand different to the DockATot Deluxe+?

The main difference between the DockATot Deluxe+ and Grand is the size – the Deluxe+ is designed from birth-8+ months (2.3–10kgs), while the Grand is suitable from 9- 36 months.

The Grand doesn’t have the buckle at the bottom and only has one carry handle on the side, whereas the Deluxe+ has the buckle and handle on the side and top.

I would have preferred if they kept the buckle for extra snugness but I didn’t mind that the top handle was removed as it is too tall to carry this way.

​​What age is the DockATot Grand suitable for?

This product is designed for a generous age range of 9-36 months (10-18kgs+). For me, this seemed like a huge age range considering it’s meant to make them feel snug when using it and a 9 month is significantly smaller than a 36 month!

However, I was happily surprised to see that even though Boa has room to grow it in, she immediately loved it, the raised sides and soft material gave her that snug sense of security and comfort she was used to and needed.

I also think as Boa grows, she will get different uses out of it at different stages. Right now, she primarily uses this for naps, but when she reaches a stage where she’s happy to lounge and relax for long periods of time, this will be perfect for her.

How is the Grand different from other lounging docks?

I think aside from it being multi-use, the main USP is the quality of the materials used.

Each DockATot is handmade using materials that comply with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1 certification (meaning that no harmful chemicals).

The zip and pull tags are baby and toddler safe as they are really strong, (I tested their strength by pulling them).

As well as the materials being non-toxic, they are also entirely breathable (I tested how breathable it was myself, which gave me peace of mind).

How can you use the DockATot Grand?

It’s recommended to use for:

• supervised lounging
• playtime
• tummy massages
• nappy changes
• bonding time with family
• a familiar spot whilst travelling

It must always be used on a flat, secure surface and never be used unsupervised in a crib bassinet or other contained area.

The dock can only be used in a toddler bed if the child knows how to safely descend, and not next to a wall or other vertical structure so they don’t get trapped.

How portable is it?

Because the DokATot is relatively light, you can move it around the house easily. It is a large item, so you do need a fair bit of floor space to use this safely. It comes with its own portable travel bag too, this makes it easy to pack and take travelling with you.

How useful is it?

Boa is a very active baby and is yet to master the art of lounging - she’s at that stage where she’s found her feet and wants to run around and explore during all her waking hours! So we couldn’t use it for lounging.

However, she did enjoy playing in it with us entertaining her for short bursts of time, rolling around with her toys and occasionally reading a quick book.

I tried once to use it as a nappy changing spot and immediately regretted it as she’s quite wriggly! For me, this product is far too expensive and has far better uses than risking getting it dirty changing nappies.

We loved taking it travelling with us, as Boa certainly felt at home when using this for naps in new unfamiliar places.

Is the DockATot Grand safe for naps and overnight sleep?

It can be used for toddlers for naps and overnight sleep in a bed, but only when the child is both 12+ months old and otherwise ready to sleep in a toddler bed (and only to be used in their bed)

How do you clean the DockATot Grand?

The DockATot Grand is broken down into 4 parts for cleaning:

• Outer cover - this is simple to remove, simply unzip and remove the tube and the pad and it’s ready to be washed. It needs to be washed on a cool/warm heat. It is recommended you use a garment bag to avoid colour bleeding, although we never used one and the colour has not run). Air dry only
• Pad: Hand wash in cold water and lay flat to dry
• Inner Pad cover : Machine wash in cold water and hang to air dry
• Inner Tube: the tube rarely needs washing; shaking and ventilating are usually enough. If washing the tube, machine wash in hot water inside a garment bag and then tumble dry on low heat only. You can shake or fluff to redistribute the filling as necessary. If still damp, lay flat to dry. Do not iron. Do not bleach. Do not dry clean.

We have washed the covers over 10 times now, and they look and feel exactly how they did when they were brand new! They haven’t shrunk, the print has kept its colour and the quality of the fabric has maintained the same. The pad is also easy to hand wash and air dry on the line.

It’s a little difficult to clean the inner tube, largely because some of the filling bunched up when we were shaking it and now it’s a little uneven and also because it needs to lay flat you do need a suitable, trip free space for it to dry. We put it on a towel in the garden on a dry day.

In comparison to the DockATot Deluxe, I found this much easier to reassemble – getting the Deluxe inner tube back into the cover was a 2-person job.

Is this a stylish nursery accessory?

This is a very stylish, elegant product! I absolutely LOVED the print and with 26 different patterns to choose from you and your little one really are spoilt for choice!

How robust and durable is the Grand?

This is a well-made product, and I was impressed with how robust and durable all the fabric and materials are with a slight exception to the inner tube filling.

The filling bunched up cleaning it a couple of times and although you can try to fluff it out, it won’t quite be the same as new.

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

You can purchase additional covers if you fancy a change of pattern and if you want a sturdier travel bag than it arrives in you can also purchase a Grand getaway tote. Neither are essential but a nice option to have.

I like the fact you can also purchase replacement parts as and when they need- such as the inner tube and pad.

Who would this product be most useful for? – who’s the best target consumer?

I think any parent whose toddler is having a difficult time transitioning from a cot to a toddler bed and is looking for a safe, comfortable product to ease them into a new space, then this could be for you. For parents who take their little ones travelling a lot, one of the best aspects of this is you can take it wherever you go!

Being able to provide your little one with a familiar spot in new places really helps them feel settled and calm.

Is this product worth the money?

Yes, the DockATot Grand has a really long life span, and it certainly has value in its multi-purpose uses (except for nappy changes in my opinion!). It’s also such a beautifully stylish, functional and high-quality product. For me, it’s definitely worth the investment.

Where can I buy the DockATot Grand?

It is available from Mamas & Papas and John Lewis

MadeForMums verdict:

This is a stylish nursery accessory that many parents will find useful in the daytime, as well as helping older toddlers transition to a toddler bed. It’s not cheap, but we really enjoyed using it at home and when travelling.

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