PRACTICAL: the cot has functional mesh sides, thanks to which a parent can always keep an eye on the child. In addition they provide an adequate air flow on hot days. Folding takes only a few seconds and its compact size makes it easy to transport 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. Sleep positioners and pillows must not be used and there should also be no loose or bulky bedding inside the crib as this can cause a baby to overheat. We also wanted to see which products might cause difficulty for people with mobility issues and which were the easiest to assemble and take down 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.

Once the Babylo 'Liteway travel cot' has been removed from the carry bag you will have it assembled in a few minutes. We tested products with a variety of price tags and compared the more expensive models to those that were cheaper Many larger models double up as a playpen which is great for keeping your child safe at all times no matter where they are. Some even come with changing tables, mobiles and bassinets for newborns. You’ll find that the added extras will usually need to be carried separately once the frame is folded down. Brands that offer attachments like these include Joie (the Joie Commuter Change won Mumsnet Best Travel Cot 2018), BabyBjorn and Graco.

Other things to consider when buying a travel cot

The likes of mud, sand, peanut butter, milk and orange juice were smeared and spilled onto the interior and exterior to see how easy stains were to remove When inside, was the little one comfy? Did they like it and was there enough room to sleep and to play? During the research process, she looked at the types of products available, scoured the Mumsnet forums for recommendations and spoke to baby sleep experts from The Lullaby Trust, an organisation that provides advice on safer sleep for babies.Ruth tried out each bed with her youngest child, who was 18 months old at the time of testing. She tested each for at least three nights, both at home and at the grandparents' house, which meant that all the models were subject to the same environmental factors and held a child of the same age and weight. About the author

While you may have dedicated a lot of time to finding the best crib, moses basket or cot bed for your child, we tend to give less thought to which travel cot to buy. But getting the best sleep possible is just as important while you're away from home, so we've put some of the best travel cots on the market through their paces.Ruth looked at how much space the cot took up in a room – did it slot in easily, and was it more suited to indoors or outdoors?