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.

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. Were written or visual instructions clear and precise? Could the instructions also be accessed online and were there video tutorials to guide you through?

How we tested and why you should trust us

Some cots have removable side panels, but if they don’t then you can always wipe them clean with warm water. 4. Extra features 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 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.

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. 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? 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? 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 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 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 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. 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. 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.

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

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