What Should You Consider When Hiring a Cot for Your Baby?

Published on 6 June 2025

Posted in Blog

Planning a family trip or expecting guests? Hiring a cot might just save the day.

If you’re travelling with your little one, preparing for overnight visitors, or simply need a safe sleep solution for a temporary stay, cot hire has become an increasingly popular option for families across the UK. With flexible rental periods and the convenience of baby cot delivery and setup, it’s no surprise that more parents are turning to baby furniture hire as a stress-free alternative to buying.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to consider before you rent a baby cot in the UK, from safety standards and hygiene to eco-friendly choices and portability, so you can hire with complete confidence.

Why Do Parents Choose Cot Hire Over Buying?

More families are asking the same question: “Should I really buy a cot I’ll only use for a week or two?” For many, the answer is a clear no, and here’s why:

1. Cost-Effective for One-Off Needs

Hiring a cot is ideal for occasional use, such as family holidays, weekend stays with grandparents, or visiting friends. Why invest in an expensive cot you’ll barely use when you can hire a cot for your baby only when you need it?

2. Perfect for Small Spaces or Temporary Setups

Not everyone has room to store bulky baby furniture. With short-term baby bed hire, you can have a cot when it’s needed, then return it once it’s not. No storage stress, no clutter.

3. Access to Premium Products Without the Commitment

Hiring gives you the chance to use premium cots without the hefty upfront cost. Whether it’s a solid beechwood cot or a luxury travel option, you can provide your baby with the best, temporarily.

4. Eco-Friendly Parenting Made Easy

For families embracing eco-conscious parenting, cot hire reduces unnecessary manufacturing and landfill waste. Reusing high-quality furniture supports a circular economy and helps build a greener future.

5. Popular for Holidays and Special Occasions

Whether it’s a wedding, a weekend getaway, or the festive season, baby crib hire is a smart and practical choice. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your baby has a safe, comfortable place to sleep, without packing extra gear.

Key Considerations When Hiring a Cot for Your Baby

Hiring a cot might seem simple at first glance, but not all cot rental services are created equal. To ensure your baby’s comfort and safety, and your peace of mind, here’s what you need to consider before confirming your booking.

Safety Comes First – UK Cot Safety Standards to Know

If you’re wondering, “Are rental cots safe for babies?”, the answer is yes, but only if you hire from a reputable provider that meets British safety standards for cots.

Make sure the cot you’re hiring complies with BS EN 716, the UK and EU safety standard for children’s cots. The mattress should meet BS7177, which ensures it’s flame-retardant and suitable for infant use. Look for essential safety features like:

• Rounded corners and smooth edges
• Secure drop-down sides with locking mechanisms
• No loose parts or sharp fittings

Types of Cots Available for Hire and Choosing the Right One

When browsing options, you’ll find there are different types of cots available for hire, each suited to different needs:

• Full-size wooden cots: ideal for longer stays at home or in a hotel, offering more structure and space.
• Travel cot hire: lightweight, foldable, and great for holidays or quick setups.
• Folding or static cots: space-saving and convenient for smaller rooms or multi-use spaces.

The Mattress Quality, Hygiene, and Fit

The mattress is just as important as the cot itself. For safe sleep for infants, it should be:

• Firm and flat (to reduce the risk of SIDS)
• Well-fitted, with no gaps around the edges
• Flame-retardant, breathable, and ideally hypoallergenic

Cleanliness and Hygiene

Let’s face it, babies are sensitive, and hygiene is non-negotiable. Before you confirm your baby cot hire, ask about the company’s cleaning protocols:

• Are cots steam cleaned or treated with antibacterial solutions?
• How are mattresses, frames, and soft materials handled between hires?
• Can they provide a cleaning checklist or visual inspection report?

How Long Will You Need the Cot?

Do you need a cot for a weekend, a fortnight, or longer? Most services offer daily, weekly, or monthly cot hire rates, and some even offer short-term cot rental bundles for events or guest stays.

It’s worth checking:

• If there’s a minimum hire period
• Whether bulk discounts apply for multiple items or longer hires
• If early booking can lock in better pricing, especially during school holidays or festive seasons

Delivery, Assembly, and Portability Considerations

Let’s be honest, no parent wants to spend time wrestling with assembly instructions during their break. Choose a service that offers baby cot delivery and setup for added convenience.

Ask:

• Will they assemble the cot for you, or is it flat-packed?
• Is the cot portable, lightweight, or foldable if you need to move it?
• How quickly can they deliver? Same-day or next-day delivery options can be lifesavers.

Company Reputation and Customer Support

Before you trust anyone with your baby’s sleeping arrangements, check what other parents have to say. Look for:

• Reviews highlighting customer service, punctuality, and product quality
• Services that offer last-minute hire or emergency delivery
• Clear, responsive customer support that answers your questions confidently

Is Hiring a Cot More Sustainable Than Buying?

So, is it better to rent or buy a baby cot? If you’re only using it temporarily. You get the functionality without the waste, and you support a cot hire vs buying model that’s better in terms of sustainability.

If you’re trying to reduce your family’s environmental impact, cot hire is a brilliant step in the right direction.

• Reusing high-quality cots helps reduce landfill waste
• You avoid the carbon cost of manufacturing and shipping a new cot
• Many hiring companies now actively promote eco-friendly parenting

Hire the Right Cot with Confidence

When it comes to what to look for when hiring a baby cot, the key is to prioritise the essentials: safety, hygiene, and a perfect fit for your baby’s age and sleeping needs. Choosing a trusted cot rental provider means you can rest easy knowing your little one is secure and comfortable, wherever they sleep.

Beyond peace of mind, cot hire offers incredible cost savings, especially for short-term needs like holidays, house guests, or family events. It’s also a fantastic choice for eco-conscious families, helping reduce waste and avoid unnecessary furniture purchases.

So if you’re wondering whether to hire a cot for your baby or buy one outright, remember this: hiring gives you flexibility, convenience, and quality, without the long-term commitment. Just be sure to check the company’s safety credentials, cleanliness standards, and customer reviews before you book.

Need a Cot for Your Baby? Hire Today With Peace of Mind

Looking for a safe, clean, and comfortable cot for your little one? At BedHire, we offer premium baby cot hire with flame-retardant mattresses, hygienically cleaned and ready to go, perfect for travel, visitors, or short-term stays.

Whether you’re planning a weekend away, hosting family, or setting up a temporary nursery, we’ve got the right cot to suit your needs. And we don’t stop at cots, we also offer:

• Bed hire for adults and children
• Clothes rail hire for keeping things tidy
• High chair hire to make mealtimes easier

Whatever the occasion, we’ll deliver, set up, and collect, so you can focus on what matters most: your family.

Call us today on 0208 933 8888 or fill out our enquiry form, and one of our baby hire experts will be in touch to help you make the right choice.

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