Travel Cot?

Father_Christmas

Anyone got any advice/ info on travel cots? Which are best?, is it worth buying a cheap one or splashing out on a expensive one? And finally..... Anyone seen a good deal in any shops/ online stores?!

girl_friday_4

Father_Christmas wrote:

Anyone got any advice/ info on travel cots? Which are best?, is it worth buying a cheap one or splashing out on a expensive one? And finally..... Anyone seen a good deal in any shops/ online stores?!

We bought a cheap 'no name' basic travel cot from the CO-OP dept. store for £30.
We have used it about once a month, or should I say, the grandparents have used it..... for 2 1/2 years and it has been fine.
From our own experience, when you have your first child, you want the best of everything for your child. You soon learn that the big names in baby products know this too and charge you for it.
Most un-branded/supermarket items we have bought have been just as good as all the big name items we have.

bumpybecky

Have you thought about second hand? I bought one recently from ebay for £10

Spendless

We bought a graco one that cost about £45 nearly 5 years ago. we used it a lot with the eldest one for visiting relatives/friends, if we stopped overnight anywhere as well as holidays.I also used it as a playpen before son learnt to crawl. we haven't used it as much with youngest, only for one holiday. it is still in good condition. ours folds up into a holdall that you can carry.

Think about how much you'll use it before you pay a lot of money. We got a lot of use out of it for the first child but would have hardly been worth it for the second.

Chubby_Cheeks

We bought a travel cot but hardly ever use it. For some reason, my sons would never go to sleep in it.

If you do want to get one, have a look in https://www.kiddicare.com. We find them one the cheapest on the internet for baby goods.

Yoga_Girl

I've got a well-used travel cot that was given to me by a friend, its probably over 10 years old but does the job, my little girl sleeps fine in it.

Its worth checking out NCT sales, they often have large items but you need to be at the sales early to get the bigger items like these. The web site should give details of nearly new sales in your area:

https://www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com

I think the main difference between travel cots is in the weight of them when folded, so depends if you're having to carry the cot about a lot as to how important this is. Otherwise I don't think there's much difference between them - some may be easier to open than others but is that worth paying loads more for?

sunnth

I bought mine for my first child from local paper and its still going strong after 3 kids. I would recommend you check the size of base before buying though as my one much larger than the one my dad bought for when the twins would no longer fit in one cot together. They outgrew that one at two but can still fit in my slightly larger one when we go away to friends overnight (they are three now). I don't think the more expensive ones are necessarily worth the money as there really aren't many extra features worth paying for. The type that fold into a holdall type shape are easy to carry and wipe clean fabric or a removeable fabric cover that can be washed is essential but I don't think anything else is really needed

Savvy_Sue

Size and stability are critical. A friend had a small one which a) rocked unless you stuffed pillows between the supporting legs and the base and b) was easy to climb out of once babies reached about a year old. Most babies didn't like it very much. I bought a big one, second hand, which was much more stable and escape proof, and it was No. 3 son's only cot for two years.

If possible, don't just look at pictures, see them set up and give them a shove ...

purplepatch

My sister-inlaw gave us their one as their kids were too old for it.

Its only a basic one but does the job fine - for the few occasions it gets used I certainly would say that the more expensive ones are a waste of money.

They've recently had an unplanned new addition to their family, so I'm hoping they've forgotten that they gave it to us

katglasgow

I use one my friend gave me second hand - its the Graco one from the Argos Catalogue c. £40? - maybe someone on here can get you a discount code?!
It must be comfortable as I've never had any complaints. Its used at my mother in laws once a week for day naps and then an overnight once a month so its quite well used and has kept itself in good condition and is very sturdy..

Father_Christmas

Thanks for all the advice. Saw a Graco one in argos for 99.99 reduced to 49.99 but no stock in any stores near me! Typical. Will keep looking.