Portacot recommendations

[Manhattan]

Hi Ladies

We're looking to buy a portacot for weekend trips etc, and was after some recommendations. Have been looking at the Phil and Teds Traveller which seems pretty good. Does anyone have experience with this one? Or which cot do you have?

Any thoughts much appreciated

[HotI]

I have used a few, and they are all pretty much the same (as far as i can tell). A bub bassinete can come in handy, but apart from that its just whatever look appeals to you. OOh, and you want a carry bag, but i think they all should come with one.

[mbear]

We spent about $100 on a childcare one....plus we later bought a portacot matress ($80 ish...) as bubs slept in there at 8months old due to rennovations...it worked fine. Came with a carry bag. I wouldnt spend heaps on one....

[*Infinity*]

I wouldn't fork out heaps either. I have a Steelcraft that I bought from Target at one of their big baby sales - down to $49 on sale - and its great. Even got a little flip over change table which is ideal for when we go to our shack. In a carry case and everything.

[CrazyLady]

I wouldn't fork out heaps either. I have a Steelcraft that I bought from Target at one of their big baby sales - down to $49 on sale - and its great. Even got a little flip over change table which is ideal for when we go to our shack. In a carry case and everything.

I don't own one but my parents bought one for use when the grandchild/ren stays. was a steelcraft one with changetable and DD slept like a dream in it. I think Mum paid $10 at an op shop but it was in good nick!

[Life is Good]

We have just bought the Phil and teds Traveller.

It is good in that bub sleeps on a mattress on the floor, so they can use it a lot longer than a regular portacot that usually has a 14kg limit because the base is raised off the floor. They say this one can be used up to 3 years.

The whole thing is really light and compact to carry (I think about 3kgs), compared to a portacot that can weigh a whole lot more.

It is great for camping or outdoor sleeps as you can zip the whole thing closed and keep the bugs out.

Downside is that you can't use a sheet on the mattress (the mattress slides into a pocket under the cot). So basically bub needs to be in a sleeping bag or otherwise sleep directly on the cot base (which is nylon).

I think it is more complicated and time-consuming to erect, as well as pack away than a regular portacot.

It is quite narrow - not good if they like rolling.

It is expensive (around $200). It was worth it for us, because our boy weighs almost 12kgs and is only 8 months old. Given his rapid growth, we were concerned that he would grow out of the portacot weight limit.

Is it worth the money? I am not convinced...if he wasn't the size he was we would probably have gone with a regular portacot.

Hope this helps.

[CrazyLady]

My friend has the P&T portacot that you mentioned. She puts the matress in it so her wee one doesn't have to sleep on the sweaty plasticy stuff. The net comes in handy because of camping on their block of land. She is always going places and hates lugging heavy stuff so it suits her but she also has a little boy that stays where put in the cot and doesn't roll around etc.

[Manhattan]

Thanks for all your input Ladies. We ended up getting the P&T Traveller, and she slept through the night in it, just like at home...woo hoo!

Thanks again x