How to choose a travel cot for your holiday
Sleep is the number one concern for parents on holiday. A baby who sleeps well means parents who enjoy their stay. And the reverse is equally true: a poor sleeping setup can turn a dream holiday into sleepless nights.
Yet the choice of travel cot is often made last minute, without really comparing options. Here's what you need to know to make the right call.
Travel cot vs new generation portable bed
The classic travel cot has been the standard for years. It's lightweight, foldable, and fits in a carry bag. But it has drawbacks that many parents know all too well: a thin mattress of just a few centimetres, a rigid frame that wobbles with every movement, and sometimes fiddly assembly (who hasn't struggled with a stubborn locking mechanism?).
New generation travel cots like the Hauck 3-in-1 that we offer for rental at C&V are a real step up. The mattress is significantly thicker and more comfortable. The sleeping height is adjustable, which is invaluable for young babies: you don't have to bend down to ground level to lay a sleeping baby down. The folding system is intuitive, taking just seconds.
Your baby's age makes all the difference
From 0 to 6 months, a bassinet or cot with a built-in riser is ideal. Baby is closer to you, the sleeping surface is suited to their small size, and the proximity reassures everyone. The Hauck 3-in-1 has a removable riser designed for this age range.
From 6 months to 3 years, a standard travel cot works perfectly. At this age, baby needs room to move during the night, and the cot bars keep them safe.
Beyond 3 years, most children can sleep in a single bed with a safety rail. If your Provencal accommodation doesn't have a child's bed, we can still help.
Why rent rather than buy?
A quality travel cot costs between 100 and 250 euros to buy. Add to that the weight (7 to 12 kg), the boot space it takes up, and storing it at home between trips. If you only travel once or twice a year, the maths is straightforward.
At C&V Baby in Provence, renting a Hauck 3-in-1 cot costs 8 euros per night. For a week-long stay, that's 48 euros (tiered discount from 5 nights: -15%). You receive a clean cot, assembled and ready to use. No assembly, no transport, no storage.
And if you need more than a cot, our Essentials pack combines cot and high chair at 15 euros per night, saving you compared to renting separately.
Our tips for good sleep on holiday
Even with the best cot in the world, a change of environment can disrupt baby's sleep. Here are our tried and tested tips:
- Bring your baby's usual fitted sheet so they recognise the smell. This is the number one piece of advice we give to every parent
- Keep the bedtime routine as close as possible to the one at home: same time, same rituals (bath, story, lullaby)
- Consider a video baby monitor if your room is far from baby's. In Provencal farmhouses, bedrooms can be at the other end of the house
- Darken the bedroom: Provencal shutters are generally excellent for this. In summer, the sun sets late and rises early
- Pack a sleeping bag suited to the season. In Provence, nights can be cool in spring and warm in summer
Complementary equipment for peaceful nights
Beyond the cot, other equipment contributes to baby's night-time comfort. A Twistshake baby bath for the evening bath (a soothing pre-bedtime ritual), and a video baby monitor to keep an eye on baby from a distance while you enjoy the Provencal terrace.
All these items are available in our catalogue, with free delivery from 30 euros of rental.