A travel cot is one of those purchases that feels essential before you have a baby and only becomes clear in its implications once you try to use one. Will your baby actually sleep in it? How safe is it? What should you look for? This guide covers the practical and safety considerations for UK families.
Weight and portability: Travel cots range from around 6kg to 14kg. If you are regularly flying or travelling by train, weight matters considerably. Lighter cots (typically pop-up style) are more convenient for travel but may be less sturdy for home use as a secondary cot.
Set-up time and complexity: You will set up and take down the cot many times, often at the end of long drives or after flights with a tired baby in your arms. Test the folding mechanism before buying. Some travel cots fold down to a compact, self-contained bag; others require separate bags for different components.
Size of the sleep space: Most travel cots provide a sleep surface of approximately 95 x 65 cm, which is smaller than a standard UK cot (120 x 60 cm). Check that your baby is not going to outgrow the cot too quickly — most travel cots are rated for babies up to about 15kg.
Sides and height: Mesh sides are standard on travel cots and are preferred because they allow airflow and visibility. Ensure the mesh is robust — no tears, holes, or weak spots that could allow entrapment.
Safety standards: Look for travel cots that meet BS EN 1966:2011, the UK/EU safety standard for folding cots. This covers structural requirements, spacing between components, and suffocation risk.
This is the most important safety point about travel cots that many parents are not aware of.
Travel cots are typically supplied with a very thin, firm mattress — usually between 1.5 and 3 cm thick. This mattress is intended as the sleep surface for the travel cot and should not be replaced with a thicker, softer mattress. The reason is counterintuitive: a very firm, flat sleep surface is what is required for safe infant sleep. The Lullaby Trust and NHS safe sleep guidance specifies that babies should sleep on a firm, flat, waterproof-covered surface.
Do not add a folded blanket, extra mattress topper, or conventional mattress to a travel cot. An overly soft sleep surface is a suffocation hazard for young babies, particularly those who cannot yet lift and turn their heads independently. The gap between an added mattress and the sides of the cot can also create an entrapment risk.
The thin mattress that comes with a travel cot feels inadequate to adult standards, but it is appropriate for infant sleep. If your travel cot's mattress is damaged, replace it with a manufacturer-approved replacement or a fitted travel cot mattress of the correct dimensions. Do not improvise.
Several travel cot brands are widely used and well regarded in the UK:
Chicco Next 2 Me Travel: A smaller, lighter option popular for hotel rooms, though more of a standalone bassinet than a full travel cot.
BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light: Very lightweight (approximately 3kg), easy to set up, and comes with a mattress. More expensive than most alternatives but widely praised for ease of use.
Joie Kubbie: A budget-friendly option that is compact when folded and comes with a carry bag. Good for occasional use.
Kinderkraft Jet: Mid-range, includes a bassinet level for younger babies and a lower level for older ones. Folds to a manageable size.
For hotel stays, it is always worth asking whether a cot is available — many hotels provide travel cots, and this avoids the need to bring your own. If using a hotel cot, apply the same checks you would to your own: firm, flat mattress, clean, no loose items in the sleep space.
This is the question every parent wants answered, and the honest answer is: it depends.
Babies who have always slept in their own cot in their own room may find a travel cot in an unfamiliar environment challenging. Babies who have used a travel cot from an early age tend to accept it more readily. A few things that help:
Introduce it at home first. Set up the travel cot in your baby's room a week or two before any trip and use it for naps occasionally. Familiarity makes the transition much easier.
Use familiar sleep cues. The same sleep routine, the same sleeping bag, the same white noise if you use it — these signals tell your baby that sleep is what happens now, regardless of the environment.
Manage room temperature. Travel cots in hotel rooms or holiday accommodations may be in rooms at different temperatures from home. Bring appropriately rated sleeping bags for the conditions.
Manage your expectations. Sleep away from home is almost always disrupted to some degree. A baby who normally sleeps through may wake more when travelling. This is normal and will resolve when you return home.
Most families find that travel cot sleep improves significantly with repetition. After a few trips, the travel cot itself becomes a familiar cue, and settling becomes easier.
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