Hosts and hoteliers: welcoming babies to your property

Going on holiday with children is often a headache. But going on holiday with a baby is another story ! Before booking, parents ask themselves : « Is there a travel cot and a high chair on site ? » Here we help you stand out by offering these essential items to welcome babies.

Which baby items should you offer ?

There is a multitude of items for babies. But the main ones are :

• A travel cot

• A high chair

• A crib (for the very little ones)

• A safety gate for the stairs (if you have any)

Compare the prices of items on Vinted and at Ikea before deciding. For second‑hand purchases, check the condition of the equipment and whether the model has been subject to a recall. If you cannot verify its safety, discard it, even if the price is attractive.

For a second‑hand travel cot, make sure it is complete, stable and that its locking mechanisms work before making it available. Check the manual to know its usage limits and to confirm the mattress fits the model. If the manual is missing or you have any doubt about the cot’s condition, choose another one.

If you want to go further, you can also offer :

• A toilet seat reducer

• Baby cutlery

• Some toys and soft toys

Start with a travel cot and a high chair. Add a safety gate if your property has stairs, and a crib if you welcome very young babies. The toilet seat reducer, cutlery and toys come afterwards.

This table offers pointers, not strict sleeping rules. The travel cot is not necessarily suitable for all ages : check your model’s usage limits in its manual. The crib is not always essential : you should judge whether it meets the needs of the families you host.

Équipement	Priorité	Source d'achat	Pour qui
Lit parapluie	Essentiel	Vinted, Ikea	Tous les âges
Chaise haute	Essentiel	Vinted, Ikea	Bébés qui mangent
Berceau	Essentiel	Vinted, Ikea	Très jeunes bébés
Barrière d'escalier	Si escaliers	Vinted, Ikea	Logements avec étages
Réducteur de toilette	Complémentaire	Vinted, Ikea	Bébés en transition
Couverts bébés	Complémentaire	Vinted, Ikea	Bébés qui mangent
Jouets et peluches	Complémentaire	Vinted, Ikea	Divertissement

What should you state and prepare before guest check-in ?

Before buying baby items, compare their cost with the likely use by the families you host. You can decide to include them in the nightly rate or offer them for rental, especially in hotels.

In a hotel, state at booking whether the travel cot is included in the displayed price or charged as an extra. If you charge an extra fee, show the amount. This is separate from your commercial choice to bill the cot separately or include it in the nightly rate.

In your listing, list the available items and add a photo. State their usage limits and say whether parents need to request them before arrival. They will know what to expect on site. To present your property, also see our tips for your listing.

In an Airbnb listing, name the items you actually provide : travel cot, high chair, crib or stair gate. For each, state whether it must be requested before check-in, its usage limits according to the manual and, where applicable, the extra charge. Parents can then check whether the equipment suits their baby before booking.

If you charge an extra fee on the nightly rate, announce its amount before booking. Then verify that the promised equipment is available and ready to use. Compare its price with the expected use and the possible surcharge before setting your offer. To go further, read our article on welcoming children in rental properties.

Frequently asked questions

Which baby items should be prioritised ? A travel cot and a high chair already cover most requests. Add a crib if you target the very young, and a safety gate if your property has stairs. The rest — toilet seat reducer, baby cutlery, some toys — comes afterwards.

Should this equipment be bought new ? Not necessarily. Compare prices on Vinted and at Ikea depending on the item. If you consider second‑hand, check the condition and whether the model has been recalled. If you cannot perform these checks, choose another model.

How can I check that a second‑hand travel cot can be used in my accommodation ?

Check the condition of the cot and whether its model has been subject to a recall. Consult its manual to know its usage limits : it is not necessarily suitable for all ages. If you cannot verify its safety, choose another model.

What should I tell parents about the age limits or usage limits of the equipment provided ?

State the usage limits written in the manual of each item, notably those of the travel cot : it is not necessarily suitable for all ages. Specify that the crib is for very young babies and that the high chair is intended for babies who eat. If you cannot verify an item’s safety, do not offer it.

Should I charge an extra fee for baby items ? In hotels as in rentals, compare the equipment cost with the benefit of including it in the nightly rate to help parents choose your property. If you opt for an extra fee, state its amount in the listing before booking. Without knowing the cost of the items nor how often they will be used, you cannot be sure the purchase will pay off.

Is the travel cot included in the displayed price or charged separately ?

You can include the travel cot in the nightly rate or charge it separately. If you choose an extra fee, state its amount in the listing before booking. Compare the cost of the cot with its expected use in your property before setting your price.

How do parents know I have the equipment ? State it in your listing and add a photo of the items. Parents will be able to see what you offer before booking. A photo shows the equipment more precisely than a simple line of text.

Is a stair gate essential ? Only if your property has stairs. In that case, it joins the main items, alongside the travel cot and the high chair. On a single level, it is unnecessary.