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Original poster

travel cot---use it or lose it?

51 replies

maomao · 27/09/2003 10:17

Hi everyone,

I'm sure you experienced Mumsnetters can help me. I'm debating about purchasing a travel cot for my almost 5 month old DD. Pros: it would give me a place to stash her, on occasion, away from dog and cats if I need. Cons: cost and space---our flat is quite small. Therefore, I'm really only trying to acquire the "must haves".

Do you have a travel cot? Do you use it? What, in your mind, are the pros and cons? Does yours double as a playpen?

Thanks in advance for your help. Your advice is greatly appreciated, as I am of limited budget and limited space!

OP posts:
Mummysurfer · 27/09/2003 10:23

Great for staying overnight with rellies/friends.
Limited use as playpen. OK for a few minutes while you go to the loo/answer the phone etc. But they soon get pretty fed up with it espec once they can move. IMO

Original poster
maomao · 27/09/2003 10:26

Thanks Mummysurfer!

OP posts:
LIZS · 27/09/2003 10:30

We have one (Graco with bassinette, latter never used but was included in the special offer). For ds it sat in the lounge and was useful as a playpen while he was starting to cruise - he could make hand exchanges and take a step or two across easily - I could do things like the ironing knowing where he was and he napped in it occasionally. He slept overnight in it about twice but we also used it for guests' kids a couple of times. We have used it far more for dd as we have travelled more and had guests which necessitated her moving into our room. She is 2.1yrs and has been able to climb out for about 4 months but will still sleep in it.

They do fold away reasonably small and quickly (although the mechanism on ours is tempramental)You can usually get one from about £40 full price but Toys r Us often have them on offer. You could also probably get one at an NCT type sale relatively unused and cheaper or may be borrow from a friend if you will only need it occasionally.

hth

Original poster
maomao · 27/09/2003 10:37

Thanks, LIZS - I'd never thought about how it could be useful in learning to walk, etc. Also, I must say that I'm impressed that you iron -- my ironing always ends up looking more wrinkled than when I started!

Unfortunately we're not really able to travel much (money, sigh), nor do we have friends or relatives to visit. So it's unlikely that we'd use it much for overnight, perhaps a handful times at most.

hmmmm....

OP posts:
LIZS · 27/09/2003 10:56

ROFL - ds is now 5 so I started out with good intentions to iron but now ... He was also of a rather more placid personality than his sister so it probably depends on the temperament of your child as to how long they would tolerate it.

Original poster
maomao · 27/09/2003 10:59

DD's temperament? Let me see.... how can I say... IMPATIENT, IMPATIENT and MORE IMPATIENT. (Did I mention that she's impatient?!) But she's a sweetie of my very own making, I suppose! (What is that saying, about the apple never falling far from the tree?)

But yes, that's part of the reason why I'm unsure about the travel cot, 'tis true!

OP posts:
Moomin · 27/09/2003 11:01

Ours has been invaluable. My cousin got it for us second hand so it was very cheap. When dd was a baby we used it for going away which we did quite regularly then folded it away between times because, even though our house isn't tiny, the travel cot's still quite bulky. Now we keep it up at dh's parents' house so if dd is with them she can go up for her nap in it and obviously can use it when she stays overnight.
I'd say it's great if your baby is quite portable and you plan to visit places. Otherwise it will probably get in the way. IME, with pets, as soon as dd starts moving, the animals will leave her well alone and find their own sanctuary!!

Mummysurfer · 27/09/2003 11:02

Forgot to add ... we used it a lot when dd was about 3 and ds was 12 months. She would ask to go in it so she could do jigsaws without ds spoiling them!
She would also go in there to play with beads or other toys too small for ds. She could get in & out on her own.

Original poster
maomao · 27/09/2003 11:04

Okay MS and Moomin, I want to hear about the temperaments of your dear darlings, if you please!

OP posts:
Moomin · 27/09/2003 11:07

Er, yes, it has to be said: dd was a very calm and placid baby. But if she didn't like something we knew about it! Happily, she loved and still loves her sleep. Our childminder tells us that sometimes she puts dd in a travelcot for half an hour "chill-out" time when the other babies seem to be getting on her nerves. She likes being away from everyone for while, even if she doesn't drop off.

Original poster
maomao · 27/09/2003 11:10

Moomin,

Did I tell you that I think our babies were swapped at birth accidentally? (Despite them probably being different ages and being born in different countries.) Yes, you most definitely have my child. Now give her back!

OP posts:
Bogwoppit · 27/09/2003 11:39

Mine was invaluable. used it loads. Thinking of selling it now, but rather big to post! where do you live Maomao?

NCT sales nearly alqways have travel cots for sale it's worth checking them out.

Does a friend have one you can borrow to try?

Original poster
maomao · 27/09/2003 12:07

Bogwoppit, How long did you use yours for? I'm in NW London. I've heard wonderous things about NCT sales (I'm originally from the States), and have looked on the web site to find one near me. But I am reliant on public transport (that's a good thing!), and it seemed like the NCT sales were some distance away.

Unfortunately, no, I've no one to borrow one from, yet. But that's indeed an excellent suggestion!

It's just that we're on an extremely tight budget (DH is a grad student, and I've not a working visa), and so I must be certain before I make a purchase....

Thanks everyone, for your responses!

OP posts:
LizC · 27/09/2003 13:11

I wouldn't be without mine, but if you say that you don't travel and stay away with your dd then you probably don't need one really. I certainly never used ours as a playpen, dd wouldn't have tolerated it (did buy a BabyDan playpen which she could walk in and out of herself, and she liked that but wouldn't really tolerate being shut in - depends on temperament I suppose). Doesn't sound to me as though you need one.

Re. NCT sales, every branch has one and they're twice a year, usually September/October and March/April, so you should look out for a local one now. There are usually posters up and you might be able to find out from their website which is your local branch.

aloha · 27/09/2003 13:29

It's not a must-have unless you travel a lot with a baby. We have always been able to borrow one from friends on the rare occasions we have stayed overnight. Self catering holidays usually have cots (or only stay in places that do) and my MIL has Dh's old cot still in her house for grandchildren. My ds would also not tolerate it as playpen.

Original poster
maomao · 27/09/2003 14:03

Thanks Lizc and aloha! I'm sensing a trend in thought---or perhaps that's just my need for more coffee.

I shall have to try and borrow one from someone and see.

OP posts:
Bogwoppit · 27/09/2003 14:26

We used ours downstairs when DS was a baby (but we have a big lounge) then an awful lot when visiting relatives & also on Guide camp.

Looks to me like you will be able to manage without.

babydan play den is good. can use it as a playpen or to section off part of a room. I put a big inflatable ring in ours B4 DS could sit up on his own.

Original poster
maomao · 27/09/2003 14:38

Bogwoppit,

Not to hijack my own thread (does that constitute hijacking then?), but what on earth is "guide camp"? Sounds very reality-tv!

Thanks for the baby dan recommendation. I'll have to see how large it measures (it may take up half of the flat!)

Anyone else like the baby dan den? Or other playpen?

OP posts:
codswallop · 27/09/2003 14:44

never used it - would never buy one.

Bogwoppit · 27/09/2003 14:45

Guides are the US equivalent of Girl Scouts.
basically Guide camp is taking a group of girls (aged btwn 10& 15) away camping for a weekend or week in tents.

to see baby dan look here

there are probably cheaper places to buy it though so look around.

We have a circus tent for ours too.

Original poster
maomao · 27/09/2003 14:55

Bogwoppit,
Thanks for all the info, and the link!

Codswallop,
Would you never buy one because you don't think you need one?

OP posts:
Mo2 · 27/09/2003 15:03

Agree with everyone else - useful to have for weekends away/ when people come to stay (travel cot in our room or in with other child) but wouldn't buy one new is I was doing it again.
have you checked the small ads of your local paper or Loot? They are the sort of thing people are always selling second hand and rarely have been sued much.
Also what about eBay? even if you have to pay postage it may still work out £20/ £30 cheaper than new.
Have to say, never used ours as a play pen, both DSs screamed the house down whenever I tried to put them in it for that purpose!!

eidsvold · 27/09/2003 19:27

found it invaluable when dd was little - put it up in the lounge and she had her daytime sleeps there and made it easier than treking upstairs all the time to check on her. Also useful for when we go to stay with family or friends.

codswallop · 27/09/2003 20:41

No I had one lebnt with ds1 but inlaws both have second hand cots at theirs and would never use a play pen...

I would DEF get a 2nd hand one. people hardly use them

Cam · 27/09/2003 20:42

Never used it as a playpen but invaluable as went on holiday by car to France a lot when dd was little. Also used it everytime stayed with family.