The Snuggle Me Organic and DockATot lounger are two of the most popular baby loungers on the market. They both have great reviews but you’re probably wondering which is the best fit for you and your baby’s needs.
In this article I have gone through all the information for both loungers and given you some of my personal experience as a Snuggle Me Organic owner and someone who has personally tried the DockATot. So lets get into the Snuggle Me Organic vs. DockaTot lounger review!
Table of Contents
It is important to note that for baby sleep, neither of these are the option you want to go with. These loungers are designed to be a safe place for baby to lounge, play, do tummy time and be held in. They do not meet the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidelines.
Baby loungers came into the marketplace in the early 2000’s. Both models we are looking at today were created by Mom’s for their newborn baby. These parents were looking for something that didn’t exist yet, so they created it. Baby loungers are designed to hold baby’s body in a comfortable snug fit kind of way. These are supposed to mimic a womb like environment that helps babies feel calm and soothed when they are not being held. My first daughter was not the biggest fan but my second really enjoyed her lounger.
The snuggle me lounger (the one I own) was perfect for me to move my newborn baby around while I played with my older child.
These loungers can be placed in areas that might not otherwise be safe like a bed, couch or floor because they have the barrier to prevent babies from scooting around and off a surface. Of course the safest place for them is in an area that a baby can never fall from and can cause injury.
Let’s get into analyzing both the Snuggle Me Organic and DockATot to determine what the best baby lounger for you is.
About the Snuggle Me Organic Company.
Snuggle Me is a brand founded in 2014 that specializes in baby products with an emphasis on making them safe, easy to use and portable for parents. They also believe in using high-quality, organic products that utilize non-toxic materials so parents do not ever have to wonder if the items closest to their babies are toxic. Snuggle Me originally stated with just their Snuggle Me Organic lounger but has since expanded to making larger snuggle me loungers, feeding pillows, clothes and other accessories.
What is the Snuggle Me Organic?
The Snuggle Me Organic is filled with organic cotton and shaped in an oval like crescent shape, to mimic the feeling of a baby being held or hugged. It is also referred to as a baby nest because of the size, shape and function.
The edges of the pillow, where the filling is, are soft but the filling is firm enough so it won’t collapse or giveaway if the baby rolls towards it. The base of the pillow is a thin layer of soft 95% organic cotton that has no padding. This bottom layer means that the baby will likely feel whatever surface they are placed on so it’s important to ensure you place it on a flat surface.
The snuggle me measures 29 x 17 x 4.5 inches which is fairly small and easily portable to your home, park or other locations. The outer shell material is 100% organic cotton and non-toxic in materials used to produce it. The filling is polyester fiber which is typically considered non-toxic.
It is worth noting there is also a larger size of the snuggle me for older babies and toddlers to use.
What are the key features of the Snuggle Me Organic?
- -100% Organic Cotton, Non-toxic outer layer of fabric on the pillow
- -Polyester Fiber Filling with no added chemical and no flame retardants.
- -$109 (at time of posting this article)
- -Additional covers available for $54-$74 (at time of posting this article)
- -0-9 Months
- -Cover and pillow are machine washable
- -18 different colors or designs
Pros of the Snuggle Me Organic:
- -100% Organic fabrics for the outer layer
- -Entire pillow is machine washable and can easily fit in a standard washing machine.
- -Lightweight, weighing 4lbs
- -Customizable and removable cover
- -Typically high resale value at between 50-70% of original value
- -No incidents regarding infant injury have ever been reported to the CPSC in the 13 years they’ve been in business
Cons of the Snuggle Me Organic Baby Lounger:
- -Price, it is more expensive than many similar loungers on the market
- -Size, it is designed to be used for less than a year and babies who grow faster than others may outgrow it very quickly
- -Organic material, this can be considered a con because it can naturally vary in color so matching colors can be challenging
- -Durability, again the organic material may not be as durable and long lasting as synthetic competitors.
My personal experience with the Snuggle Me Organic
I have owned the same snuggle me organic for 5 years now. I plan to use it with my 3rd baby and it has worked well for us. It has held up great and I personally love how soft and flexible it is for baby. I also love that it has fit in both washing machines I’ve owned over the past 5 years.
The DockATot Review
About the DockATot Company
The DockATot is a luxury baby lounger designed for use with babies aged 0-8 months old. It can be used for lounging, playing, tummy time and even diaper changes. The DockATot founder, Lisa Kotsianis, designed the first baby lounger for her own personal use in 2006 when she had her first baby. She then began developing them commercially and has grow into an international brand. The DockATot brand has branched into selling numerous other baby items including pillows, bassinets and clothes.
What is the DockATot?
The DockATot lounger is developed and manufactured in Europe. It comes different sizes one being a smaller size called the DockATot deluxe and a larger size called the DockaTot Grand for older babies and toddlers.
It is designed to create a womb-like environment for the baby by providing a soft padded bottom to lay on and firm supportive padded sides to hug the baby.
It is made in Europe with Oeko-Tex certified fabric meaning it is free of harmful chemicals used to produce fabrics. It comes in a variety of colors and has lots of accessories that can be added on to increase the functionality of the DockATot. They also state they use breathable fabric as well as hypoallergenic fabrics and materials.
It measures from most outward edge to outward edge 29 inches (73.7 cm) L x 18 inches (45.7 cm) with the buckle closed.
It can be used with the buckle closed for a traditional lounger shape that hugs baby all around or with the buckle open to give leg space for diaper changes, tummy time or a leg room for baby.
The DockATot goes through extensive testing for durability, toxins, performance, colorfastness, and harmful materials like phthalates and heavy metals. They even test their packaging to ensure every element that touches your DockATot is safe for your baby and home.
Key features and benefits
- Oeko-Tex certified for all fabric and materials
- 100% cotton shell (cover/exterior)
- 100% polyester inner tub and inner pad
- Each component is washable either by machine or hand.
- Weighs 5lbs
- Customizable covers
- $195 (at time of posting this article)
- $75-$105 Additional covers (at the time of posting this article)
- Specialized accessories such as a sun cover, toy arch and diaper changing pad are available for purchase
Pros of the DockATot + Deluxe:
- Oeko-Tex fabric is considered one of the top certifications for non-toxic fabrics in the industry
- Can be used with the buckle or without for ultimate baby comfort
- Accessories make it even more customizable for all environments
- 20 different patterns, colors and designs
- Portable, compact design
- Base comes with a padded mat
- Great resale value, selling at 50%-70% of original value
Cons of the DockATot + Deluxe:
- Not made with organic materials
- Price: one of the most expensive on the market
- Size, because of the nature of the product you are intended to use it for less than one year which makes it very expensive for the time you have it
- Washing is a challenge due to some parts needing hand wash only, some needing hot water, some needing cold water and some needing warm water. It would be a multiple hour process to wash the entire pillow.
- As recent as June 2022 DockATot received a violation notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for violating the Infant Product Sleep Rule.
My personal experience with the DockATot
I used one that my friend had for her baby when we went to visit. It was great quality, the pillow was firmer than the snuggle me organic and the fabric did not feel as buttery soft as the snuggle me. The pillow also did not feel as it cradled baby as much because the pad went under the pillow instead of scooping baby up. It felt slightly bulkier than the snuggle me but still very portable. I do believe I used a version that is no longer made and has since been upgraded but they still appear very similar.
Comparing the Snuggle Me Organic vs. DockATot lounger, main differences
Price:
The DockATot is almost double the price of the Snuggle Me Organic. The covers for the DockATot are also almost double the price of the Snuggle Me Covers so this is an important consideration. Both loungers are also more expensive than similar products on the market.
Price Winner: Snuggle Me Organic
Durability:
The DockATot regularly submits their products to testing for fabric performance, seam strength, colorfastness, durability towards holes and tears as well. Snuggle Me Organic does use organic materials and does not seem to have the same intense testing standards as DockATot. Some reviews have mentioned they feel the Snuggle Me Organic does break down some with extended use.
Durability Winner: DockATot
Non-Toxic Standards:
The snuggle me organic uses 95% organic materials for their product. The cover is 100% organic cotton and not treated with flame-retardants or chemicals of any kind. The DockATot baby loungers are made with 100% cotton but it is not organic. The DockATot does use Oeko-Tex fabric which ensures they are free from toxins, harmful substances. Both baby loungers use high-quality materials that are great options for a non-toxic choice.
Non-Toxic Winner: Tie
Accessories:
The snuggle me organic does not have any accessories that can be added on. It is a very simple minimalist design that is made for families who are only looking for a baby lounger, not a multifunctional product. The Snuggle Me Organic does allow you to purchase an extra cover to use when washing, traveling or just give it a new look.The DockATot has numerous accessories that can be added on for an additional cost. They have a sun cover, mosquito net, toy arch, diaper changer and travel bag. If you are looking for something more versatile than just a lounger the DockATot is a clear winner here.
Accessories Winner: DockATot
Comfort:
The snuggle me organic fabric is so incredibly buttery and soft. I also love the design of the lounger because it does really cradle baby and create a little hammock like nest for baby to lounge in. The main drawback is the base of the snuggle me is a thin fabric layer with no additional padding. The DockATot is a bit firmer than the snuggle me and does not feel as cradle like but does have a padded base for additional comfort regardless of where you set it.
Comfort Winner: Tie, it depends on what aspect is important to you!
Washable Aspect:
You can toss the entire Snuggle Me Organic directly into the washing machine or just the cover if needed. You can also place it on low in the dryer to dry. The DockATot requires some more detailed guidelines to wash, the cover should be washed in warm water in a garment bag and hung dry, while the pad is hand wash only with an instruction to lay flat too dry. The inner sleeve is to be washing in cold water and the inner tub is to be washing in hot water and then tumble dried on low. As you can see the fact each part needs specific, separate detailed washing guidelines makes it a bit more time consuming to care for.
Washable Winner: Snuggle Me Organic
Safety:
The Snuggle Me Organic and DockATot both submit to testing, safety regulations and deem a safe environment for baby as the utmost importance. Snuggle Me Organic has not had an safety incidents reported to the company the CPSC, or Health Canada in their 13 years in operation. The DockATot has received notification on violations of safe sleep standards as most recent as June of 2022. They have also had 4 reports of incidents of death or injury regarding their product on saferproducts.gov.
Safety Winner: Snuggle Me Organic
Overall Winner:
Snuggle Me Organic is the overall winner between the two for me but you may have different priorities and wants in your baby lounger and the DockATot is loved by many families. I value comfort, ease of use and safety for my baby so the fact the snuggle me is super soft material that cradles baby was important. I also love that I can easily wash the whole thing quickly and easily without googling directions and the safety aspect is huge for me. I personally struggle with postpartum anxiety and value that the Snuggle Me Organic has been a safe space for babies for the last 13 years.
Let me know you thoughts on both loungers and which one you use for your family. The opinions in this article are of course based in my own research, experience and ability to analyze my findings.
If you’re looking for more baby and kid products be sure to check out my ultimate non-toxic toy guide!
If you’re just starting your non-toxic journey for your little one then check out my paint guide to create the perfect safe environment for your little one!