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Sleep positioners and pillows must not be used and there should also be no loose or bulky bedding inside the crib as this can cause a baby to overheat. The Lullaby Trust also advise that portable cribs aren’t placed against radiators and remain out of reach of blind cords. How much does a travel cot cost? Use the bassinet for a new-born in the standalone travel cot or in the co-sleeping setup. For older babies remove the bassinet for a deeper protective side panel.
Choking hazards are also something to look out for so make sure that small parts, like zips, are well covered It’s vital you use this mattress with the cot, as the mattress is designed to fit the cot properly and safely. Travel cot mattresses often serve as a structural support too, and taking the mattress out can make the travel cot less stable and even a risk to your little one. Always use a travel cot with the mattress it comes with. Can you use a travel cot long term?
While you may have dedicated a lot of time to finding the best crib, moses basket or cot bed for your child, we tend to give less thought to which travel cot to buy. But getting the best sleep possible is just as important while you're away from home, so we've put some of the best travel cots on the market through their paces. Ruth looked at how much space the cot took up in a room – did it slot in easily, and was it more suited to indoors or outdoors? Even if the mattress feels thin, don't be tempted to place folded blankets underneath your child. Go for a baby sleeping bag or a well-fitted swaddle instead.
The Lullaby Trust says that all cots need to comply with British Standards Institution (BSI) safety standards regardless of how old they are. If there is no safety standard number visible then you shouldn't buy it. We also wanted to see which products might cause difficulty for people with mobility issues and which were the easiest to assemble and take down We tested products with a variety of price tags and compared the more expensive models to those that were cheaper
Ruth scored each product based on each criteria below, with the highest scoring coming out on top as the overall winner. Honourable mentions were then given to nine other top-performing beds. Safety and stability If, however, you tend to travel often or think your little one will have regular sleepovers with the grandparents, then a travel cot is a great solution. The likes of mud, sand, peanut butter, milk and orange juice were smeared and spilled onto the interior and exterior to see how easy stains were to remove The Babylo Deluxe Drop Side Co-Sleeper Travel Cot has been designed to be easily assembled and folded down. It functions as both a co-sleeper and a standalone cot, gives you with much more flexibility than a standard travel cot. Many travel cots are designed for newborn babies to sleep in, often with raised bassinet attachments that can be fitted inside the travel cot. However, for any travel cot you’re considering, it’s important to make sure it’s suitable for your little one. Travel cots will say what age, size/and or weight they’re designed to hold – such as from newborns up to 15kg. Make sure the travel cot you buy matches your baby.
Some, like the Arc 2, also come with added extras like built-in mosquito nets for camping. What's the best travel cot to buy? You’ll find that the added extras will usually need to be carried separately once the frame is folded down. Brands that offer attachments like these include Joie (the Joie Commuter Change won Mumsnet Best Travel Cot 2018), BabyBjorn and Graco. Some cots have removable side panels, but if they don’t then you can always wipe them clean with warm water. 4. Extra features Portable beds can be expensive and can take up unnecessary space in an otherwise baby-filled home, so if you think you'll only get use out of one for two weeks of the year, then you could probably do without.Ruth also considered how easy it would be to access spare parts and whether each cot came with a warranty It’s important to understand too, that whilst travel cots can make brilliant beds for holidays and trips, they’re not for long term use. Your baby should sleep in a suitable bed at home, like a cot, a Moses basket or a bedside crib. This type of cot is usually used from the newborn stage up until toddlerhood – or until the little wriggler can climb out by themselves. Do I actually need a one? If you already have a co-sleeper, Moses basket or carrycot that you use with a travel system, you might be able to use that when you're away from home with a smaller baby.
We commissioned Ruth Lumley to write about and test a variety of toddler and baby travel cots. Ruth is a journalist who has used a number of baby beds with her three young children – from the newborn stage right through to toddlerhood and while holidaying abroad and visiting relatives in the UK. Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there. Travel cots don’t need a separate mattress. All our travel cots come with safe and firm mattresses already included with the cot. Travel cots make wonderful beds for babies, toddlers and young children to sleep in for trips and short periods. As they’re easily portable, travel cots are ideal beds for holidays and overnight stays, even for taking naps in when visiting friends and family for day trips. Five products were then awarded a Mumsnet Best badge – these are the products that we feel offer the absolute best value for most parents. We also gave honourable mentions to four others.
How we tested and why you should trust us
Each product was tested in rooms with both carpet and laminate flooring, then scored on six key areas:
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