Babylo Liteway Lightweight Travel Cot - Grey Mélange

Product Information

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.

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 tested products with a variety of price tags and compared the more expensive models to those that were cheaper Choose from our tried and tested travel cots, available in different shapes and sizes from Babylo, Joie and Nuna, to find the perfect cot for your needs. Bring the comforts of home with you while you travel.

Do I actually need a one?

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. 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? Whether you are going on holiday, or a weekend trip to granny and granddad's house, travel cots are the perfect place for your baby to get a great night’s sleep ...

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 Choking hazards are also something to look out for so make sure that small parts, like zips, are well covered Even if the mattress feels thin, don't be tempted to place folded blankets underneath your child. Go for a baby sleeping bag or a well-fitted swaddle instead.Portable beds can be expensive and can take up unnecessary space in an otherwise baby-filled home, so if you think you'll only get use out of one for two weeks of the year, then you could probably do without. Whether used at home, at the grandparents' or as a playpen, a travel cot can be a familiar place for your baby to sleep, wherever they are. After four months of research and testing, we reveal the best travel cots to buy right now. Each product was tested in rooms with both carpet and laminate flooring, then scored on six key areas:

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. 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. Why not consider a quality Joie travel cotwith a bassinet level for younger little ones? Meanwhile, a double latch safety system will give you complete peace of mind that your baby is secure, so you can both rest easy. Our Koo-di travel cots are a brilliant choice as well, and in addition to a padded mattress they even feature an integrated mosquito net - ideal if you're holidaying somewhere warm! And once your bundle of joy has outgrown it, it'll make for the perfect makeshift playhouse too! Many travel cots are designed for newborn babies to sleep in, often with raised bassinet attachments that can be fitted inside the travel cot. However, for any travel cot you’re considering, it’s important to make sure it’s suitable for your little one. Travel cots will say what age, size/and or weight they’re designed to hold – such as from newborns up to 15kg. Make sure the travel cot you buy matches your baby. 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.

Other things to consider when buying a travel cot

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?

With see-through mesh sides (ideal for camera monitors!), high-grip feet, and just the right amount of give, each travel cot is designed to keep your baby feeling safe, secure, and cosy no matter where you set up for the night. Lift the changing table topper to reveal a baby bath tub with a built-in mould shape to prevent the baby from slipping This travel cot can be used as a next to me crib whilst on holiday or visiting friends. The mesh sides allow you to keep an eye on baby as well as allowing for increased air circulation. If you have a little extra to spend, then the luxury and comfort of BabyBjörn's Light will make sleepovers fuss-free no matter where you go. Our tester found it sturdy, simple to set-up and really easy to transport. The mattress is considerably more comfy than those you'll find in cheaper travel cots, and all the fabric parts are removable and machine washable.

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 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. The BabyDan Travel Cot an extra-long cot at a budget price. No, it’s not as cheap as the excellent Cuggl, but at almost 20cm longer it’s a great option if you need a larger-than-average product. Sleep positioners and pillows must not be used and there should also be no loose or bulky bedding inside the crib as this can cause a baby to overheat. Winner of the Mumsnet Best Travel Cot 2018 award, the Joie Commuter Change didn’t quite make our top five this year, but it’s still a great product and definitely worth considering.