If you're starting daycare or heading away with your baby, one question comes up a lot: do you need a bed set for a carry cot? The short answer is yes, a fitted sheet at minimum, and a spare. Bare mattresses aren't hygienic, and most daycare centres will ask you to bring your own bedding anyway. This pack list keeps it simple.
What Daycare Usually Asks For
Every centre is different, so always check with yours first. Most will ask for:
- 1 to 2 fitted cot sheets or bassinet sheets, depending on their cots
- A labelled bag for used bedding
- Season-appropriate layers, such as a sleeping bag or an approved blanket
- Your baby's name clearly on every item
Some centres provide their own cots but nothing else. Others have a full linen policy. Confirm before you pack.
Do You Put a Sheet on a Travel Cot?
Yes, always. Travel cot mattresses are thin and firm by design. They can feel uncomfortable without a layer between your baby and the surface. A fitted sheet also makes cleanup much easier when there's a nappy leak or a spill.
Standard cot sheets are usually too large for travel cots. Look for sheets labelled specifically for travel cots or portacots. They fit snugly without loose fabric, which matters for safe sleep.
Bassinet Sheets: What to Know
If your carry cot doubles as a bassinet, you'll need sheets cut to that smaller size. Bassinet sheets are narrower and shorter than standard cot sheets. Using the wrong size creates loose fabric around your baby, which is a safety risk. Always match the sheet size to the mattress size.
How Many Cot Sheets Do You Actually Need?
For daycare, pack at least two fitted sheets per location. Accidents happen, and centres won't always have a spare on hand. You'll want one on the mattress and one clean in the bag, ready to swap.
For travel, three sheets is a practical number. One on, one clean, one drying. This holds up even in accommodation without a laundry.
If your baby is also using a sleeping bag, check that the tog rating suits the climate you're travelling to. Getting that transition from swaddle to sleeping bag right makes a real difference to overnight sleep quality. Read more about when to move from swaddle to sleep bag if you're still figuring out that step.
Core Cot Sheet Kit for Daycare and Travel
- 2 to 3 fitted sheets sized to your specific cot or bassinet
- 1 waterproof mattress protector that fits the same cot
- 1 to 2 sleeping bags in the right tog for the season
- A labelled wet bag for used or damp items
- Permanent marker or iron-on labels for every piece
Keep this kit packed and ready. Restocking it after every daycare drop-off means you're never scrambling the night before a trip.
A Note on Labelling
Label everything before it leaves the house. Sheets, sleeping bags, wet bags, all of it. Daycare centres manage a lot of items. Labels prevent mix-ups and make it easier for staff to return things to the right bag at the end of the day.
Iron-on labels hold up better through repeated washes than stick-on versions. Write on the corner or the care label tag, somewhere it won't rub against your baby's skin.
What Else to Pack for Day Trips and Overnights
Once sleep is sorted, it's worth thinking about what your baby wears during the day. If you're travelling somewhere warmer or cooler than home, sizing up in layers can make a difference. Our guide on knowing when to move up a clothing size is worth a read before you pack the bag.
For parents who carry their baby during the day at travel destinations or on long daycare drop-off walks, having the right carrier matters too. Choosing between a stretchy wrap and a structured carrier depends on your baby's age and how long you'll be wearing them.
Browse our baby wraps and carrier range if you're still deciding what works best for your stage.
Quick Summary
- Yes, you need at least a fitted sheet for a carry cot. A bare mattress is not enough.
- Use sheets sized for the specific cot, whether that's a travel cot, portacot or bassinet.
- Pack two sheets minimum for daycare and three for travel.
- Add a waterproof mattress protector, a sleeping bag and a wet bag to complete the kit.
- Label every item before it leaves your house.
