When the need to travel arises, if you have a young child, the main concern is keeping their routines intact. With sleep being such an important factor, choosing a suitable place for a baby or young child to rest their head is vital. Choosing a travel cot is the best way to maintain strong sleeping routines whilst ensuring comfort and safety. 

Travel cots come in two forms. The first is the traditional design, which you will likely picture in the mind as closely mimicking a normal cot's design. These include semi-permanent fixtures and a lightweight design to make transportation simple. Another popular choice is pop-up designs, which, as the name suggests, can be constructed in minutes. This second choice is recommended for travel as they can be stowed away in a compact form, making them perfect for both road and air travel. 

Travel cots are fantastic pieces of equipment to purchase, as you never know when the need to visit somewhere new may arise. Alongside offering a comfortable place for a child to sleep, they also offer many other benefits. 

The first advantage is that travel costs allow a sense of familiarity and routine to be given to little one as they can sleep in a similar environment to what they have at home. This is important as putting a child in a different location can be tough enough for them to adjust to, so having a sleep set-up that they recognise will help them feel relaxed. Travel cots are also designed to be transported, meaning they allow excellent transportability. They also offer a full-size design once opened, ensuring that a child is never given a cramped condition in which to sleep. Travel cots can also be suitable for children aged from newborn through to four years, offering brilliant value for money from this investment.

Travel cots can also be used as a playpen, allowing parents a way to keep children safe when they are busy or in need of rest. This also promotes independence and supports healthy development. Finally, travel cots are easy to maintain with simple wipe-clean designs. Many are also provided with travel cases to stop them from getting grubby whilst in transit.

There are several things you should add to your checklist when choosing a travel cot. 

First, all designs should be easy to use for simple assembly. The last thing you want to contend with must spend ages trying to put a travel cot together when you have been travelling, and your little one needs a nap. Travel cots should allow instant access to safe and comfortable rest spots. 

You should also look for a bassinet attachment if you are planning on using the travel cot from the newborn stage as this ensures the same model can be used for the first few years of their life. Washable covers are also essential for hygiene, as are wipe fabrics. It’s also a good idea to look for travel cots that offer detachable covers, as this makes cleaning easier. 

Finally, you should always check that the travel cot has a mesh window so that you can always see your baby. This is also important for keeping them calm when visiting new places. 

When you purchase a travel cot, we understand that safety is of paramount importance. All new cots sold in the UK must meet the British safety standards BS EN 716, which has been shown to offer all features needed to ensure protective conditions. The risk of choosing an older design or second-hand cot is that these safety elements are likely not to have been met. These standard tests aspects such as child-bearing weight, the strength of fixtures and robustness of the design offer parents peace of mind that their little one can always be safe. 

At Kiddies Kingdom, we only stock designs that meet these criteria, which means you can shop our entire range without risking choosing a low-quality product.