Travel cots
Travel cots are essential kit for any parents on the move, whether spending a day at a
friend’s or granny’s house or going abroad. Having a travel cot means your baby
can sleep or rest in a familiar environment away from home.
There are four main types of travel cot to look out for:
- Travel cot in a bag
- Travel cot playpen
- Bassinette travel cot
- Folding cot
What most people understand as a travel cot is a sturdy fabric cot on a frame, which
folds down into an oblong shape and packs away into a zip-up travel bag with carry
handles. This type of travel cot fits easily into the boot of a car or with the luggage
when travelling. Depending on style and make, a travel cot might weigh from 8 to 12kg.
Features to look for
- The quality of the mattress that comes with the cot
- Are fabric covers removable for washing? Or will they wipe clean?
- Is at least one side made from mesh, to enable you and your baby to see in and out?
- Is there a roll-down blind to cover the mesh when you want to make the cot darker for
sleep? - How easy is it to erect and fold down? Ask the retailer to give you a demonstration
before buying - Are the erecting and folding instructions printed on the cot fabric? Useful if it’s
a complicated procedure
Some travel cots are now designed to double up as playpens, but they have to be extra
sturdy to fulfil this second role. A travel cot playpen sometimes comes with a toy tidy or
detachable toy flaps included in the price.
This is a travel cot which has the added feature of a special insert (bassinette) which
allows a newborn baby to sleep much nearer the top of the cot. The bassinette is usually
only suitable for use up to 3 months age or around 6kg baby weight. After that you use the
travel cot in the usual way.
If you’ll only need a travel cot now and again, a folding cot may be a cheaper
option. This is a fabric cot on a frame which folds flat for storage and is very quick and
easy to put up and take down. It doesn’t always come with a travel bag although some
manufacturers sell them as an optional extra. It may not be as portable as other types of
travel cot although it will usually fit into the boot of a car.
Updated May 2001
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