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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? 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. Were written or visual instructions clear and precise? Could the instructions also be accessed online and were there video tutorials to guide you through? We tested products with a variety of price tags and compared the more expensive models to those that were cheaper PRACTICAL: the cot has functional mesh sides, thanks to which a parent can always keep an eye on the child. In addition they provide an adequate air flow on hot days. Folding takes only a few seconds and its compact size makes it easy to transport
Choking hazards are also something to look out for so make sure that small parts, like zips, are well covered Many larger models double up as a playpen which is great for keeping your child safe at all times no matter where they are. Some even come with changing tables, mobiles and bassinets for newborns.Travel cots are the perfect solution for families on the go. Lightweight and foldable, these portable cots are designed for trips away, visits to gran and grandad, and all your baby’s sleepovers. 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. SOLID: the steel frame makes the cot stable and very strong. The upper layer of the mattress is covered with cotton which provides skin with proper air circulation. The hood and cot cover are made of easy-to-clean material
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. 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? 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. 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.
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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 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 Was it heavy to carry and did it fit comfortably in the boot of an average-sized family car? Could it be taken on public transport easily? 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?
Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun. During the research process, she looked at the types of products available, scoured the Mumsnet forums for recommendations and spoke to baby sleep experts from The Lullaby Trust, an organisation that provides advice on safer sleep for babies.Ruth tried out each bed with her youngest child, who was 18 months old at the time of testing. She tested each for at least three nights, both at home and at the grandparents' house, which meant that all the models were subject to the same environmental factors and held a child of the same age and weight. About the authorFrom new-born until your child can climb, the 'Liteway' will give you years of use. The fabric contains no harmful substances 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. 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? Some cots have removable side panels, but if they don’t then you can always wipe them clean with warm water. 4. Extra features
When inside, was the little one comfy? Did they like it and was there enough room to sleep and to play? 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. Once the Babylo 'Liteway travel cot' has been removed from the carry bag you will have it assembled in a few minutes. Soft mattresses are known to increase the risk of SIDS as they make it harder for babies to lose body heat, which can cause them to become too hot.The mesh sides mean your baby can stay cool and breathe freely. It also allows for complete visibility for both you and baby. The soft mattress makes the travel cot a comfy and secure place for your baby to sleep on a trip or at home. 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
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