To put pillows in the travel cot

[AideMoi]

Hello MN - we're on our first holiday abroad with our 10 month old. All's gone fairly smoothly so far but the AirBnB we've rented for our last night has provided a travel cot without a mattress. It's basically a thin base on top of the metal bars. I am very confident our princess and the pea sleeper will not stand for this madness.

AIBU (or unsafe, is actually my question) to put pillows under the base with the sheet on top? The base is still fairly firm and there's no loose bedding. The arrangements just a bit squishier.

I wouldn't, can you pop to a shop and get a better mattress? Pillows are really dangerous in such a confined space.

I personally wouldn't.

Don't assume she won't sleep, all basic travel cots are the same and none of mine had any problems with it despite one having a tendency to be a bit of a princess also

Do you have a blanket you could put under the sheet instead?

Just when little ones sleep, they often move around and sheets come off.

I wouldn’t either. I’d ask the hotel if they have a better mattress

I would put towels down under the baby and a sheet over the top. I used to do that when mine were little.

I’d go for a towel under the sheet instead too, but actually DD was always fine with those crap travel cot bases so she might surprise you.

No, too easy to roll and get wedged down the side.

Another vote for towels - I have done this. Mattress often isn't provided with a travel cot in hotels/holiday apartments and tbh not a bad thing from hygiene perspective.

There was a thread on here many years ago of someone who did this on a holiday and the child got wedged between the mattress and pillows. It was so sad.

Or you could put the baby in the bed with you? Partner can sleep on the sofa…

Fuck no! Firm solid mattress or go home. I'd be complaining to reception. An adult wouldn't put up with a mattress of such poor quality, so why should a baby?

Don't do it...not safe

I wouldn't. I've used a spare folded up duvet cover under the thin mattress before in the same situation. Is there a sofa bed that your partner could sleep if the baby comes in with you?

No, please don’t. Find a safer solution.

Is there any mattress? Like a thin one? My DD’s were always happy with them. We didn’t use an additional one

Towels. Definitely not a pillow.
You can buy folding travel cot mattresses - if you're planning on travelling any more I'd recommend getting one, they'll be more useful as the child grows!

I wouldn't at that age and you will probably not a have good sleep with worry anyway.

@Leftphalange

I personally wouldn't.

Don't assume she won't sleep, all basic travel cots are the same and none of mine had any problems with it despite one having a tendency to be a bit of a princess also

This

I'd fold a towel under the mattress. More breathable than a pillow so unlikely to cause an issue.

Thanks everyone! Towels instead are a good tip. I'm going to try that but I think DH could be looking at a night on the sofa...

DD has actually been pretty good in various travel cots over the summer but this one really would be like sleeping on metal rods. I've already complained to the AirBnB host as I did email about this I advance.

Definitely buy a travel cot mattress for future trips. Takes up loads of space but I wouldn't sleep on a plank so I wouldn't expect my child to.
In the same circumstances I have taken seat cushions from the sofa and forced them in with a sheet on top. Firm ones, mind you, and no spaces around the edge.

I'v used towels before! I don't know why most come with such thin 'mattresses'.

Maybe take a camping or yoga mat for if this happens again?

Unfortunately it wouldn’t be safe. The reason babies need firm mattresses is to stop them ‘re-breathing’ exhaled air, which happened if their heads are resting on a soft surface which indents too much. Pillows would be very dangerous for that.

If she really won’t sleep in the travel cot she would be safer co-sleeping with you in accordance with the lullaby trust’s safe sleep guidelines.