Travel cots. Can they all be used as a playpen or is there a difference?

[covenhope]

Is there any difference between travel cots advertised as "also suitable as a playpen" and those that aren't?

Is there any reason why a particular travel cot couldn't be used as a playpen? All of Mothercare's travel cots say also playpen, but most of kiddicare's ranges (which are cheaper) don't have that phrase on the product info.

I don't want to have to buy both

I have a Graco one that we use as a ball pit, I think it did say playpen. TBH they are all fairly similar in design, just check the wieght limit as one or two are for smaller babies only. The Graco should last until approx 3 years iirc.

Kiidicares site may not be as detailed as the manufacturers so if you like the price of one google the model and see what the manufacturers instructions say.

Might be to do with British Standards too. ie some have been tested as travel cots and/or playpens, others not. Suspect most travel cots can be used as playpens but not viceversa. Agree your best bet is to google the various manufacturers, Mothercare's tend to be Graco models rebranded.

Thanks. It actually hadn't occurred to me to google the manufacturers! (duh! )

It seems that most are actually OK as a playpen too so I can get the one I liked the look of.

Thanks again.