Portacot

The short definition

A portacot is a folding cot with mesh sides that packs into a bag. It gives bub a safe sleep space away from home.

What it actually means

A safe portable cot meets the mandatory Australian standard for infant sleep products. The rules for using one are short and they matter:

• Only use the firm, thin, well-fitting mattress that came with it.
• Never add a second mattress or extra padding, over or under. A baby can get trapped face down in the gap.
• Check the mesh is intact and nothing is broken or worn, every time.
• Make sure the base is flat.
• Read the instructions, especially the first time.

Where Dadda will hear it

At the grandparents' house, usually five minutes before bedtime, usually while he works out which bit folds first.

Not to be confused with

A pop-up tent or an inflatable travel bed. They are not cots and they are not built to the infant sleep products standard. A portacot is.

Also look at

• The full item: portable cot
• What a safe sleep space is