or are travel cots absolutely shite? Single mum in air bnb and have had full on fist fight with said cot.

[TeachesOfPeaches]

Mothercare to be specific. Have given up and am now drinking wine with toddler sat next to me.

Unlock the sides. And cancel the cheque.

Middle up

Sides unlocked all four sides

Really check again the sides are unlocked

Pull up middle

Lock all sides, push down base.

The sides are unlocked. The whole thing is an amorphous blob. The jellyfish of travel cots.

In case first photo wasn't clear.

The base looks like it's out tho. Pull up the middle of the base, then do the sides., then flatten out the base.

PILs have this one, there's a bit of a knack to it IIRC. Unfortunately I can't remember which order you're supposed to do it in, but could have sworn the instructions were actually on the cot somewhere? Maybe in a side pocket? Or on the back of the (horribly solid) mattress?

Make sure everything (side and base) is unlocked before you start otherwise it won't work.

Are both bits unlocked.

Feel the middle bit of each side, is each bit broken either side.

In the photo one bit is still locked, that's all it will take and it won't behave

Try another photo, we are with you, we can all do it with you

Could you push the sides in and it would close back up?
If you can't they unlock more.

I am feeling your pain.

The only good travel cot I have ever encountered was one we had from IKEA - basically an inside-out tent, with a sturdy set of metal poles creating the outside, linked together with plastic corner pieces, then threaded through the canvas that formed the bed. And even that one needed a good kick in the final corner to get it in...

Pull up the base. It will seem as though you are making it worse but that's how they work

Just put the toddler in your bed and spend the night clinging on to the edge with a foot in your throat while waking every 5 minutes in a panic to check they haven't rolled off after spending the evening getting the travel cot up then failing to pursuade them to sleep in it.
Holidays are fun.

The end near the wall doesn't look properly unlocked.

Twist and pull the base handle upwards

How about co-sleeping? Just for the night?

It looks similar to the one we inherited and it has nearly caused a divorce. We both fucking hate the piece of evil shit bad design with a fiery passion but can't justify the cost of buying a new one.

I still don't know how the fuck to do it properly but I find the shorter ends are slightly easier to wrestle with and they do eventually give up and click in to place. Oh, be careful of catching palms in it too, I did that and made up some good new swears.

And pull the base up

If the bed is a double then push it up against the wall and sleep in it with the toddler on the inside

Looking at the photo the left long side needs a bit more unlocking

Is it up yet??

Pull up the base! The base goes last. Do all the sides first.

Oh gosh no advice but tons of sympathy!!
I hate the damn things with a passion. Can the hosts help?

Could your do sleep on a mattress on the floor? Or go in with you?

Yes, unlock the sides, then pull up the base.

Lock the sides
Push down base

OP these things are indeed the work of the devil and so bloody ridiculous , if you would like to pm me the model Ill happily google the instructions for you and other message you back or phone chat you thru it if you like. I will even let you vent ;-)

We have all been there- don't worry

Is it the Asda one? To unlock the sides properly you have to not only press the button but also sort of shake/jiggle it till it comes properly loose. We had two of those bastards because twins and my main memory of holiday first nights for the first 4 years was crying in frustration trying to get the bloody things to stand up.

Had another look at the photo

The side next to the bronze bit of wall, the left side of the middle needs unlocking