While they're mainly used for overnight stays and longer holidays, travel cots can also be used instead of a traditional crib or playpen for both babies and toddlers. 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. Many travel cots are designed for newborn babies to sleep in, often with raised bassinet attachments that can be fitted inside the travel cot. This information is supplied for personal use only, and may not be reproduced in any way without the prior consent of Aldi nor without due acknowledgement.

However, for any travel cot you’re considering, it’s important to make sure it’s suitable for your little one. Travel cots make wonderful beds for babies, toddlers and young children to sleep in for trips and short periods. Extra handy as we could also use the actual cot mattress in it for extra comfort if we had space in the car, or latterly when we had got rid of the cot but had friends or relatives to stay. Graco are well-loved by Mumsnetters thanks to their good-quality, affordable baby gear, and this travel cot is no exception. With breathable mesh on four sides, a carry bag and padding over the poles and edges, it's got everything you need for a safe night's sleep - or a handy play pen.As they’re easily portable, travel cots are ideal beds for holidays and overnight stays, even for taking naps in when visiting friends and family for day trips. Overall, the Joie Baby Kubbie Sleep Bedside Travel Cot is a great choice for parents looking for a safe and comfortable sleep solution for their little one. in this style (one lives at ours, one at my parents) and they do require an extra mattress but are great.

We also turned to the Mumsnet forums - home of the UK's largest network of parents - to seek out authentic recommendations and honest reviews of the travel cots they'd used with their own children. Safety features – did the product have padded rails, lockable wheels, mesh ventilation, firm bedding, a locking system etc? 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.

Ruth scored each product based on each criteria below, with the highest scoring coming out on top as the overall winner.

Not only is there a full-size bassinet, which will save your back when reaching down to your child, but the cot also comes with a changing table which handily clips onto the top. 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. Pop-ups are, of course, the easiest, but check to see if your chosen product is quick to assemble, fold and pack away. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK.Mumsnetters say the mattress could be thicker and better quality, which is often the case with cheaper travel cots. We have the Nuna Sena and it's amazing, the most hassle-free assembling I've seen having watched BIL trying to get his cheap and cheerful one up which seemed to have 1000 steps to assemble! The bassinet level is so handy and baby (who was probably about 4 months at the time) slept like a dream in it. Our parent tester, Ruth, and her 18-month-old put some of the UK's top-rated travel cots through their paces. It functions as both a co-sleeper and a standalone cot, gives you with much more flexibility than a standard travel cot.

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. You’ll find that the added extras will usually need to be carried separately once the frame is folded down. It's a lovely feature if you're travelling with a tiny baby, it provides extra peace of mind and easy access for changing and breastfeeding. This ultra light portable crib may not pack down as small as the LittleLife Arc 2, but it’s spacious and easy to transport nevertheless. Travel cots will say what age, size/and or weight they’re designed to hold – such as from newborns up to 15kg.Make sure it isn’t damaged or broken, that the frame is intact and that there aren’t any sharp edges that could cause injury. 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.