Due to the huge cost of all the equipment you need when you are having a new baby, a lot of people are now looking to buy second-hand products for their baby wherever possible.
And when it comes to buying your travel cot, a second-hand product may be a good idea.
A lot of people do not use their travel cots as much as they could or should, so you should be able to find a good priced second-hand cot that is ideal for your baby.
However when you are going to buy a second hand travel cot for your baby, there are a few things you should look out for to make sure you are doing the best you can for your new child:

1. Trust Your Gut Instinct: When you are initially looking at the travel cot also take a look at the person, and if you are in their home, the state of the other items in their home.
   Are there any animals, does anyone smoke, do they take care of the other items in their home, so are they likely to have taken good care of this cot?
2. Use the cot: make sure you put the cot up and down several times to try it out.
   Make sure that the operation is smooth and that you don't have to force the mechanisms in any way.
   While you are doing this look out for patches of exposed bar or cracks in the base of the cot which will indicate misuse or potential hazards for your baby.
   
3. Ensure you have full instructions: Usually the instructions for how to use the travel cot will be on the underside of the travel cot.
   If they are not there, ask for the manual or see if you can download it from the internet to make sure you are fully aware of any issues with the cot.
   
4. Thoroughly check the cot: Remember that a small hole in the side today coul be a potential finger trap in the future.
   If there are any tears or holes in the soft covers on the cot, make sure you are confident that you can fix them before purchasing.
   
5. Consider the Mattress: Research into the study of infant deaths always states that the best way to keep your child safe is to make sure that they sleep on their own mattress that has only been used by them to stop the risk of bacteria spreading.
   Even if you are going to buy a second-hand travel cot, if you feel the mattress has been used or cannot be washed to a high enough temperature to kill all bacteria consider buying a brand new replacement mattress to fit in the second hand cot.
   

And if you are still in any doubt whether you should buy your travel cot second-hand then don't.
This will be a place that your new baby will be sleeping, and if you are at all unsure about their safety then think again.