Travel Cots

[mmp]

I'm looking to buy something for my baby to sleep in when she's at her grandparents and was looking at the travel cots which have these (some have a change table area too). I was after opinions on travel cots or other ideas that anyone has before I go out and buy something. Looking forward to your ideas. Thanks.

[Ky]

Hi mmp

I have a perfectly plain travel cot ... only one level and no frills ... it has been great for me!

The things I would look for are ...

The base stability system ... mine just has a central cone and nothing else, most have a more stable base and I think that is better.

The netting on the side ... scrape the tip of your finger across it and see if it hurts! Some of the cots have a coarser material used than others and bub can take the skin off themselves if they roll or kick against it.

If you want one with a basinette level ... check to see that it doesn't sag. My sil ended up having to use a piece of plywood under the matress as her baby always ended up slumped in it.

Check for ease of setting up and dismantling ... often, when you arrive at your destination, the first thing you want to do is put your sleeping bub from the car into a cot with the minimum of fuss, so the easier the better.

Check that it will fit in your car ... some cars are just a bit small to fit the cot, pram, bouncer, bags etc especially if you are having to dodge tether straps!

Make a decision whether you want to purchase an extra mattress and make sure that it is a snug fit with no gaps around the edges. Check that the cover is of quality material that is going to cope with a few washes and not disintegrate like mine did!

If you live where there are a lot of flies and mosquitos, consider getting a net to go over it ... try to get a fitted one out of preference, but a draped one will be ok until your bub can stand in the cot and only if you secure it to make sure it doesn't fall in on bub.

I hope I have helped a little ...