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Original poster

Apartment has no cot - advice for 11mo baby's sleeping?

27 replies

Lizcitral · 19/02/2007 11:00

We've booked an apartment in Italy that has no cot (and no chance of one - I've double checked). Our dd will be 11mo, likely to be quite mobile, and travel cots seem to be too heavy to take on the flight or too expensive.
Can anyone offer any tips on somehow creating somewhere she can sleep safely? The apartment has a separate bedroom but I'm keen to make sure she's contained in some way to keep her safe and out of mischief...

OP posts:
percypig · 19/02/2007 11:07

We have a Samsonite travel cot and have used it all over the place for ds - now nearly 11 months. It's very light and fits into a fairly large suitcase, or possibly taken as handluggage.

The only thing is it's really only suitable for up to 18 months, so buying at this stage is maybe a bit of a waste, unless you're planning to have more!

We used it in Italy, the only thing I'd say is that as Italian floors tend to be tiled and the mattress is quite thin you might want to put a towel underneath it.

tinkerbellie · 19/02/2007 11:14

we have the sme prob have booked to go to bulgaria in may but they do not supply a cot for you

my daughter hated the normal travel cot we had for ds and as the travel cot comes off your baggage allowance weight we wanted something lighter

i eventually got a nomad travel cot which goes up a bit like a tent, she loves it it's up to age four and is really small and light

scotlou · 19/02/2007 11:15

See if you can rent one. If it is a tourist area it is quite likely that there will be somewhere that rents stuff out.

PrettyCandles · 19/02/2007 11:22

cheap and packs fairly compact

LIZS · 19/02/2007 11:27

Depending on the airline and whatever else you plan to take you may be able to take a travel cot for no extra cost.

Original poster
Lizcitral · 19/02/2007 14:38

Thanks everyone - some good ideas. I'll look into renting and ta esp. for the tip-off about Italian tiled floors. Amazing how differently you look at the world post-baby.

OP posts:
rookiemum · 19/02/2007 18:13

The littlelife twin arc is expensive but our DS has slept in it a couple of times and likes it plus its really light

Original poster
Lizcitral · 21/02/2007 12:14

Do you think it's possible to use one of those suntents? It occurred to me they could keep her inside something and if the zip goes both ways, provide some ventilation at the top. Or would they tip over too easily?

OP posts:
Rosa5 · 21/02/2007 12:40

Whereabouts in Italy are you going ? NOt just being nosy but I am in Italy and have a few friends dotted about that might be able to help.

maisym · 21/02/2007 12:42

Will you have transport? - you could get one there from a large supermarket or baby things shop.

Original poster
Lizcitral · 21/02/2007 15:37

We'll be in Baveno, nr Stresa, on Lake Maggiore, flying into Milan Bergamo and hiring a car (not a very big one, probably).

OP posts:
bluejelly · 21/02/2007 15:39

How about in your bed? ( next to the wall?)

Original poster
Lizcitral · 21/02/2007 16:11

We did consider all sharing the one bed as we did until she was about 8 weeks, but I ended up not sleeping very well and not moving in my sleep(!) which led to a very cricked neck. Am hoping to relax on holiday (ahh, allow me my foolish dream...) and find some way of putting her to bed safely before we turn in later.

The apartment owners have now assured me that the bedroom door closes firmly, so if nothing better turns up, we'll rig up something comfy on the floor for her.

OP posts:
LIZS · 21/02/2007 17:04

There is a large Chicco store just outside Milan !

DinosChapman · 21/02/2007 17:16

I recall taking a travel cot to Berlin for DS1 when he was about 15 months - I don't recall it being any problem with the airline or anything, but this is going back a few years now.

Hulababy · 21/02/2007 17:21

Normally a bit young, but if struggling and wanting to avoid a travel cot - how about a First stage ready bed? Such as this one - various designs available and about £25 to buy.

Hulababy · 21/02/2007 17:24

This inflatable travel cot would be lighter and says suitable to 30 months - £50 - but not sure in plastic would be good in hot weather!

This travel cot is supposed to be lightweight and is only £40.

Ot and this travel cot is reduced to £30! Seems good price.

LIZS · 21/02/2007 17:54

There are lots of the Samsonite bubble ones over on ebay - hardly used and weigh only 3kg

LIZS · 21/02/2007 17:59

or this one claimes ot be the lightest framed one at 7kg.

tinkerbellie · 21/02/2007 18:48

we've got the nomad which is framed and weighs about 3kgs

is quick and easy to put together when you've done it once and has a nice self inflating matttess and is def small enough to fit in your suitcase

the only thing is the price (£100) but i found one for £50 on ebay if your prepared to use second hand

tinkerbellie · 21/02/2007 18:50

the samsonite bubble ons are only suitable upto 6 months or until they can crawl or something though aren't they, we thought about getting one of them but dd will be 18 months, but i suppose if you are going to shut the door it would work

Original poster
Lizcitral · 21/02/2007 18:56

You lot are just great! If we could work out how to turn goodwill and helpful advice into electricity, Mumsnet could power the world

OP posts:
Rosa5 · 23/02/2007 10:16

Just contacted a friend there and she only has a bubble up to 6 months. Sorry I had a look in big supermarket Panorama / Auchan they are pretty Italian wide and they do a travel one for about 30 Euro . I think from Baveno if you headed towards Arona or other way Domodossola you would find something similar. Coming form Bergamo you will go past Arona. Stresa has nothing just tourist shops or an expensive baby shop.

nappyaddict · 18/03/2007 23:58

get one of these

JodieG1 · 19/03/2007 00:04

Co-sleep Did with our older 2 and now with our baby, easy and lovely for them