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frequently asked questions

If you have a question that is not answered here, please reach out via the contact page or email and we would be happy to help.

Operating instructions

See below for detailed instructions on operating your sleep doll and soundbox. Additional instructions and advice can be found on our FAQ page.

Sleep Doll

The operating instructions are the same for each character.

You will find a gold clip temporarily attached to the safety zip. This has been attached for ease of use to adjust soundbox to your preferred settings.

The gold clip MUST be removed before the sleep doll is used with your child.

Please store the gold clip out of reach, for later use when changing batteries, sound settings etc.

Soundbox

Our soundbox comes with test batteries, which may not have a full play duration of 200 hours. When replacement is required, please use high quality batteries.

Examples for use

We recommend experimenting with the settings and sounds to find the right play combination for your baby. This can take some time and requires parental patience, especially while baby is bonding to their sleep doll.

Babies will connect and respond to their sleep doll in their own time, but rest assured bonding will happen.

Baby will establish a positive sleep association to the sleep doll, which will assist calming and relaxation, encourage sleep and help with resettling.

Thirty minute play setting: you can use a lullaby to relax, soothe and get baby ready for sleep (such as during cuddles, feeds or story time). You may like to combine this setting with the use of an external “white noise” sound machine to run consistently through sleep time.

Sound activation setting: the chosen sound will be triggered by waking noises and cries to play again for a further 30 minutes (repeating upon each trigger). This setting restores/recreates the sound element of a scene in which baby fell asleep, aiding resettling. This setting provides opportunities for skill building until baby learns to activate the sleep doll when needed (ie by pressing the nose)

Lullabies: our beautiful bespoke lullabies have been written and recorded especially for Little Koko, with a focus on gentle repetition which babies find very soothing but which parents will not find tedious. They have been commissioned with the specific purpose for relaxation.  

When incorporated into a sleep routine, the lullabies are extremely effective at calming baby through becoming a positive sleep association. They can also be used at times when baby needs help settling.

Brown noise: this is beautiful natural sound for settling and calming baby. Brown Noise has a more layered sonic hue and deeper frequency than White Noise. Brown Noise is akin to natural tones such as the “rumbling” of a flowing river, waterfall or rainfall. This setting can be used with or without an external white noise sound machine.

If used simultaneously with an external White Noise sound machine, Brown Noise can offer a gentle transition to the cot. If used without an external sound machine, we recommend use with the sound activation setting.

Brown noise is very helpful for settling and calming on the go (car, pram, other travel etc) where baby is accustomed to a continuous "white noise" in the sleep space.

If you have a question that is not answered here, please reach out via the contact page or email and we would be happy to help.

Product/General

Are the sleep dolls/comforters safe for babies and children?

Little Koko sleep doll comforters and sound boxes have been thoroughly safety tested according to Australian Standards AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2002 (regarding toys for children from 0-36 months of age).

We always recommend that parents follow advice from the Australian Red Nose Foundation to ensure safe sleeping environments for babies and children. Please see current advice specifically related to soft toys in the cot here.

Safety is our upmost priority and we have paid further attention to the safety features of our design:

- High quality extra-strong ties to ensure parents have full control over how securely the doll can be tethered to a cot, pram, carrier etc

- Made from lightweight and breathable material

- No loose items (ie buttons, snaps or velcro)

- No toxic chemicals

- High quality safety zip enclosing the soundbox

- Screw casing to enclose AA batteries

- Safe sound volume set to a maximum of 65db

What type of materials are used to make the sleep dolls/comforters?

Our products are made with natural materials: 100% GOTS certified organic cream cotton velour and a linen and cotton blend in earth colours. Natural materials are known to soften with each wash.

Because they are made with natural materials and are handmade, they also have a "perfectly imperfect" appearance, which adds to the character and aesthetic of the sleep doll comforter.

Only natural materials will absorb mama's scent, which can enhance your baby's bonding to the sleep doll comforter.

The material is breathable and nasties-free, which means safe for a little mouth (chewing, teething, sucking etc).

The filling of the sleep doll (within the head) is 100% recycled hypoallergenic polyester.

What does GOTS certified organic mean?

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) defines requirements to ensure organic status of textiles. This begins from harvesting of the raw materials, environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.

GOTS is recognised as the world's leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres. It defines high-level environmental criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain and requires compliance with social criteria.

Unlike synthetic fabrics, GOTS is a textile production certification that limits the use of bleaches, toxic dyes, formaldehyde and other chemical inputs during the production process of textiles. GOTS is produced in a mill that enforces strict social and environmental standards.

How do I operate my sleep doll/comforter?

The sound box has two settings designed to help improve re-settling in two ways:

- Intelligent sound activation setting: this setting will respond to babies waking noises and cries. The chosen sound will activate automatically and play for another thirty minutes. It will repeat for another thirty minutes each time it is triggered. This setting is perfect for babies seeking the same sleep cue in a semi-responsive state and will help with re-settling.

- Thirty minute play setting can easily be activated by pressing the dolls nose. It can be silenced by holding for three seconds. This setting perfect for older babies and children who have established skills and have learnt to use the doll independently to increase security and comfort when needed.

How long do the batteries last?

The sound box uses two AA batteries. The overall run time is around two hundred hours. Choose good quality batteries. Please do not use lithium batteries. You may use rechargeable batteries. Please recycle your batteries according to advice from PLANET ARK found here.

How do I introduce my sleep doll/comforter?

As advised by Red Nose Australia, soft toys should only be introduced into the sleeping environment when a baby is seven months or older. From seven months of age, most babies can actively move an object away from their face, which significantly reduces the risk of having a small object in the sleeping environment.

Prior to seven months, the sleep doll can be used under supervised conditions and securely tethered to the outside of the sleep space, where baby can still receive gentle sensory input (eg audio, olfactory, sight). We have designed intelligent, high quality knotting hands to ensure parents have full control over how securely the doll can be tethered to a cot, pram, carrier etc

A key aim is to help your little one to form a friendship and positive sleep association with their sleep doll. Some tips to nurture bonding and add to the feeling of comfort and safety:

- As a parent, keep the doll close to absorb the scents and smells that baby recognises and loves; ie sleep next to the doll, keep it in your bed, wear it down your shirt etc for a few days/nights

- Include your doll (playing the sound of your choice) in the normal bedtime routine ie during feeding, cuddles, rocking, patting etc

- Be consistent with your approach and use the doll for every nap and night time sleep

- Encourage role playing affection with the doll such as cuddling, playing, dressing, wrapping, talking etc

For more ideas and tips, visit our instagram here.

For more tips on achieving calming, connection and deeper sleep download our sleep guide here.

Do you offer personalised notes for surprise gifts?

Yes, we offer complimentary personalised Love Notes to include in your parcel. There is an option to include your Love Note at checkout.

How do I wash my sleep doll/comforter?

The soundbox must be removed prior to washing.

We recommend cold/warm machine wash and tumble dried on low heat. The material can happily be steam ironed on very low heat if you prefer to return the doll to a pressed appearance. If you prefer to use high heat, we recommend using a pressing cloth (protective layer between the iron and the sleep doll). You can use a de-pilling machine on the sleep doll if required and this is also safe for use around the embroidery. 

Due to the use of natural materials in the dolls design, hot washes and regular high-heat tumble-drying is likely to affect the dolls shape and appearance.

Shipping

Do you offer free shipping?

 Yes! We offer free shipping for all orders over $100 (within Australia only).

When do you ship my item?

Because we offer a flat rate for express delivery (1-2 day delivery via courier), we currently ship twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays on both days at 11am).

 We ship within 24 hours for international orders. Please see our shipping policy for worldwide delivery timeframes.

We would be happy to answer any questions, receive feedback or suggestions.

Your customer experience is extremely important to us. We also welcome wholesale enquiries.

hello@littlekoko.com.au | (08) 7230 6362