Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

The Babylo Deluxe Drop Side Co-Sleeper Travel Cot has been designed to be easily assembled and folded down. It functions as both a co-sleeper and a standalone cot, gives you with much more flexibility than a standard travel cot. If, however, you tend to travel often or think your little one will have regular sleepovers with the grandparents, then a travel cot is a great solution. Were written or visual instructions clear and precise? Could the instructions also be accessed online and were there video tutorials to guide you through?

We tested products with a variety of price tags and compared the more expensive models to those that were cheaper It’s important to understand too, that whilst travel cots can make brilliant beds for holidays and trips, they’re not for long term use. Your baby should sleep in a suitable bed at home, like a cot, a Moses basket or a bedside crib. When inside, was the little one comfy? Did they like it and was there enough room to sleep and to play? Travel cots make wonderful beds for babies, toddlers and young children to sleep in for trips and short periods. 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.

Use the bassinet for a new-born in the standalone travel cot or in the co-sleeping setup. For older babies remove the bassinet for a deeper protective side panel. Even if the mattress feels thin, don't be tempted to place folded blankets underneath your child. Go for a baby sleeping bag or a well-fitted swaddle instead. Many travel cots are designed for newborn babies to sleep in, often with raised bassinet attachments that can be fitted inside the travel cot. However, for any travel cot you’re considering, it’s important to make sure it’s suitable for your little one. Travel cots will say what age, size/and or weight they’re designed to hold – such as from newborns up to 15kg. Make sure the travel cot you buy matches your baby. We commissioned Ruth Lumley to write about and test a variety of toddler and baby travel cots. Ruth is a journalist who has used a number of baby beds with her three young children – from the newborn stage right through to toddlerhood and while holidaying abroad and visiting relatives in the UK. It’s vital you use this mattress with the cot, as the mattress is designed to fit the cot properly and safely. Travel cot mattresses often serve as a structural support too, and taking the mattress out can make the travel cot less stable and even a risk to your little one. Always use a travel cot with the mattress it comes with. Can you use a travel cot long term?Choking hazards are also something to look out for so make sure that small parts, like zips, are well covered Was it heavy to carry and did it fit comfortably in the boot of an average-sized family car? Could it be taken on public transport easily? The Lullaby Trust also advise that portable cribs aren’t placed against radiators and remain out of reach of blind cords. How much does a travel cot cost?