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? 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. Ruth also considered how easy it would be to access spare parts and whether each cot came with a warranty

We tested products with a variety of price tags and compared the more expensive models to those that were cheaper Some cots have removable side panels, but if they don’t then you can always wipe them clean with warm water. 4. Extra features

Babylo Liteway Travel Cot

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.

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 author 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? 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. When inside, was the little one comfy? Did they like it and was there enough room to sleep and to play? 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?

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. Each product was tested in rooms with both carpet and laminate flooring, then scored on six key areas: Were written or visual instructions clear and precise? Could the instructions also be accessed online and were there video tutorials to guide you through? 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.

Google Shopping is a tool that lets users search for and compare prices for products across the web. Simply type in keywords, or a product number, to bring up search results.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? 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. 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. 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 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