Travel cot safety

Keeping an eye on safe sleeping practices is just as important when you're away on holiday with your baby as it is at home. Our guide on travel cot safety tells you how to keep your little one protected.

Here, we share our top travel cot safety tips and offer guidance on buying second-hand. You should know, for example, that all cots sold in the UK must meet the European safety standards.

Keep scrolling for advice on how to keep your travel cot stable, plus details on whether or not your baby can sleep overnight in their travel cot.

If you're shopping for a new travel cot, check our guide on how to buy the best travel cot before you buy.

Travel cot mattress safety

The same safe-sleep rules apply to travel cots as to regular cot beds. Advice from charity The Lullaby Trust states that the cot you use needs to have a firm, flat mattress covered in waterproof material.

Travel cots are designed to be used with the original mattress, as this helps stability, so don’t be tempted to swap it out.

The mattresses in travel cots can be thinner and harder than those in regular cots, but this is normal. You shouldn't add any blankets over the top of the mattress to make it more comfortable to sleep on, as this can risk injury or your baby overheating.

Travel cots are great for short stints away from home or for daytime naps, but they’re not intended for frequent use over a long period of time.

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Travel cot safety tips

Keep it stable

Use the mattress that comes with your travel cot, as this is a key component in helping to keep it stable.

Some travel cot mattresses might seem thin or hard, but using a different one can alter how well your travel cot holds up and could make it easier to tip over.

Don’t make escape too easy

If you buy a new, thicker mattress for your travel cot, you could be inadvertently reducing the height between the top of the mattress and the cot edge, making it easier for determined toddlers to escape.

When we put this to the test on a number of travel cots, the distance between the mattress and the top of the cot ended up too short on just about all those we tested (it should be at least 50cm).

Beware of corners

Your baby’s clothes can get caught on the corners of the travel cot, which could lead to strangulation – especially if your little climber decides to scale the sides in the night, or attempts an escape while your back is turned.

Watch out for flexible sides

Tent-style travel cots are easy to put up and take down again, but the lack of rigid sides means they might not take your weight if you fall on to the cot. If you’re using this style of travel cot, be extra careful.

Keep an eye on zips

Make a mental note if there are any zips on your travel cot, as they can sometimes become detached. If a zip finds its way into your baby’s mouth, it’s a potential choking or swallowing hazard.

Travel cot wheels

Many travel cots have wheels to make them easier to move around. You should check that the wheels either lock effectively, or that there are two wheels and two legs, so the cot doesn’t roll unexpectedly.

Try before your trip

Practice putting your travel cot up before you go on your holiday. This will enable you to check that it’s sturdy, all the locking mechanisms work, and that it will be a safe and comfy place for your baby to rest while you’re away.

If your baby is struggling to sleep during warmer months, read our advice on helping your baby sleep safely in the heat.

Can a baby sleep overnight in a travel cot?

Most travel cots are designed with both daytime naps and overnight snoozing in mind. If you're unsure whether your travel cot is suitable for use overnight, check directly with the manufacturer.

With the correct safety checks in place, using a travel cot overnight can prove particularly convenient. Make sure you monitor your baby while they're using the travel cot, checking on them regularly to make sure they're both safe and comfortable.

Buying a second-hand travel cot

A second-hand travel cot can be a good option, especially because you’re only likely to use one occasionally. But before you buy, keep in mind our top tips on buying second-hand:

• Ask for the original instructions if there’s nothing printed on the cot.
• Make sure it's labelled as complying with British Standards Institution (BSI) safety standards. It should be labelled with the number BS EN 716-1:2008+A1:2013.
• Check the mattress is in good condition and a proper fit. Travel cots don’t all have the same basic dimensions, and the way the mattress folds is integral to the packing-away process – so one that’s the wrong size can make it difficult to store neatly. For safety, the mattress top should be at least 50cm below the top rail of the cot.
• Check there's no obvious damage to the cot, such as holes in the mesh sides, or broken zips, or anything else that might have a sharp edge. Check that the corner coverings are all still in place and there’s no obvious place for your baby’s clothes to get snagged.
• Check the base for damage, and make sure the frame doesn't have flaking paint or sharp edges.
• Try folding and unfolding the cot several times to check that it locks securely into place every time, and it hasn’t suffered any damage over time that isn’t obvious just by looking at it.

Our in-depth guide on how to buy the best travel cot will help you pick the perfect option for your situation.