As a parent it’s important to enjoy time away from home with your baby or allow your infant to stay the night with a close relative so you can have time on your own. Any parent who has done this will understand the benefits of owning a travel cot. A travel cot is designed to provide a portable sleeping environment for your child which is safe and comfortable while they are away from home.

Buying a travel cot

Today’s range of travel cots offer something for any discerning parent and child on the move. Innovative designs, lightweight materials and strong fabrics all combine to provide a travel cot that can be easily stored, carried and assembled when away from the family home. In this buyer’s guide to travel cots, we’ll give some tips and advice on getting this essential baby purchase right so you don’t waste your money on something that doesn’t meet your demands or expectations.

Travel cot tips and advice

Consider where you’ll be using the travel cot. If it’s for a brief nap while on a day out then you’ll only need something small and ultra-portable. If the cot is for a night with grandparents or close family member then something larger that can double as a play pen is preferable.

There are a few key factors to consider when looking for a travel cot: ease of use, portability, versatility, comfort and quality. Get these things right and you’ll have a travel cot that is perfect for you and your child until they are old enough to sleep in a bed.

Ease of use

Any travel cot should be constructed in a way that makes it easy to assemble, dismantle and pack away. Modern travel cot designs offer simple folding mechanisms or slot construction so you can put the cot together quickly and easily. Once you’ve mastered the instructions, you’ll be assembling your travel cot in no time at all.

Travel cot portability

Depending on the size of travel cot you need remember that you’ll still have to haul it in and out of a car or through a busy train station or airport terminal. Consider your own stature and ability to lift and carry the cot as you don’t want to injure yourself. The larger travel cots which double as play-pens can weigh 10kg or more so buy a model that has wheels and a carry bag.

Tippitoes Cirrus Travel Cot

Travel cot versatility

Some travel cots are designed in such a way as to provide a dual-purpose environment for your baby. The main function is for sleeping in but the cot can also be used as a play pen or UV tent. If you want to double up the cot as a play pen make sure it has mesh sides and sufficient padding to provide ventilation and prevent injuries. If you want your baby to enjoy time outdoors, go for a travel cot that provides protection from the sun’s harmful rays (a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 25 or more is recommended).

Littlelife Arc 3 (requires additional sunshade for outdoor use)

Travel cot comfort

Your baby will be spending time away from home in an environment that is strange or unfamiliar so make the experience as comfortable as possible with a travel cot that has plenty of support and padding. There should be padding at the bottom of the cot and at the sides. Padding may be built into the construction of the cot or be a mattress that can be removed for easy cleaning.

BabyDan Travel Cot

Travel cot quality

The travel cot you buy should be made from quality materials and be able to accommodate your child until they are too big to sleep in it. Consider if the cot can be used for other purposes once they’ve outgrown it and try to make longevity or usage a priority so you get value for money.

Travel cot extras

Many travel cots come complete with mosquito nets but for certain models you can buy this piece of kit as an optional extra. A mosquito net is advisable if you’re somewhere hot as there are likely to be plenty of bugs and insects flying about.

Travel Cot mosquito net

If your baby is suffering with a cold or earache, blocks under the legs of the cot will raise it to an angle that is safe and has been clinically proven to offer your child relief from a blocked nose or ear.

Baby Bed Blocks