Unless you’re happy to share your bed with your baby, travelling with a tiny tot is nearly impossible without a travel cot. But if you buy the wrong one, it can be a nightmare to put up and pack away, as well as feeling flimsy or uncomfortable. From no-frills basics to all-singing, all-dancing models, there's something here to ensure your littlun has a good night’s sleep away from home.
1. Classic Travel Cot: £39.99, mothercare.com
Unlike many, this is simple to assemble and collapse and has two wheels on one end so you can reposition it easily. Suit- able from birth to two years, it doubles up as a play pen and we like the easy-clean, padded, star-pattern rails.
2. Joie Secure Click Commuter Change and Snooze: £99.99, argos.co.uk
This is more like a portable nursery than a mere travel cot. Accessories include a changing unit, newborn bassinet, toy bar with soft toys, and a bouncer that can also be used on the floor. The mattress is super-soft and it also doubles as a playpen.
3. Graco Countour Electrica: £99.99, smythstoys.com
If you’re worried your baby won’t sleep in unfamiliar surroundings, this has a battery-powered mattress that vibrates, as well as an inbuilt nightlight and music player. There’s even a remov- able changing table insert, two mattress levels and toy bar.
4. BabyBjorn Travel Co Light: £179.95, johnlewis.com
This unusual-looking cot costs a lot, but you’re not just paying for style. It’s got a particularly soft mattress, angled sides so it can tuck into smaller spaces, and is washable – great if your baby ends up being unwell. It’s also very light to carry around.
5. Red Kite Sleep Tight: £49.99, mothercare.com
This is a great price for a sturdy cot that you can put together and collapse in seconds. Available in several different colours, it fits into most car boots and the mattress is included, although you may like to add a padded mattress enhancer on top.
6. Classic Travel Cot: £44.95, mamasandpapas.com
The well-padded frame on this one is great for preventing sore heads and limbs in energetic sleepers and is also sturdy enough to double up as a playpen. The mattress included is on the thin side, so you might want to buy a foam one to put on top (from £26).
7. Chicco Lullago: £99.95, johnlewis.com
If the thought of putting your newborn into a standard size travel cot fills you with dread, you’ll love this compact crib that is suitable for babies up to six months. It’s machine washable, weighs just 7kg, and is super-stable, thanks to the anti-slip feet.
8. Littlelife Arc 2: £99.99, littlelife.co.uk
Babies are not always happy campers, but this tent-friendly cot will soon get them used to an outdoorsy lifestyle. It opens at the side with a zip, just like their own mini tent, goes up in no time and packs away into a 2.5kg easy-to-carry rucksack.
9. BabyStart Travel Cot: £27.99, argos.co.uk
Most travel cots in this price bracket are rubbish, but this is both practical and robust, folding into a neat carry bag. It’s comfortable enough, although you might want an extra mattress. A brilliant option for grandparents to keep at home.
10. Graco Nimble Nook: £110.99, toysrus.co.uk
This is brand new on the market and stands out for being lightweight and fitting through doorways without the need to unfold it. There are all sorts of handy features including a two- speed vibration and toy bar with soft toys. Well worth the extra dosh, if you have it.
Verdict:
The Mothercare Classic Travel Cot is hard to fault when it comes to practicality and value for money. For something more comprehensive, the Joie SecureClick has it all.
