Ickle Bubba Mini Rocker Crib review

For £20 more, Ickle Bubba has also created the Drift Gliding Crib with a bassinet that can be removed from its stand.

What were your first impressions?

A basic but neat and compact crib that was extremely easy to set up with two fold-out legs. It arrived already in its zip-up travel bag.

How easy is it to build?

Ickle Bubba boldly states that it takes five seconds to put up – not quite, but not far off. The two sets of legs fold out and click in place, the mattress goes in (held in place with Velcro) and you’re done.

To fold down, you remove the mattress, hold the base of one leg down with your foot and pull up to release (this is labelled leg one) then the same with leg two. Instructions are straightforward with images, and were not needed after the first set-up.

If you used any other bedside cots or cot/cotbed or Moses basket, how does it compare?

The Mini Rocker, as its name suggests, is smaller than most bedside cribs and travel cots, which is no bad thing if you're short on space.

It is also lower than most cribs with a height of just 60cm, which is not adjustable and, depending on the height of your bed, may be too low if you plan to use it as your main bedside crib.

Unlike many bedside cots, it also doubles up as a travel cot with a handy storage bag once it is folded. I found the overall size a nice middle ground between larger next-to-me cots or standing cots and Moses baskets, but the mattress may be a little too thin and firm for some babies who prefer extra padding.

Price-wise, it retails at £99, which is cheaper than a lot of bedside cribs but more expensive than more basic Moses baskets – given it is designed to use until your baby is 6 months and its only gadget is to have a rocking and standing mode, £99 may seem a little pricey for some. Having said that, it's a sturdy piece of kit and I can't fault the style or quality of materials used.

If this is the latest version of a previous crib, how does it compare?

Ickle Bubba offers a small range of cribs. The Mini Rocker is one of two new products in this range, billed as a portable space-saving crib with both static and rocking modes.

For £20 more, Ickle Bubba has also created the Drift Gliding Crib with a bassinet that can be removed from a larger stand, which is slightly taller (70 cm) and heavier (6.9kg) than the Mini Rocker (60cm, 6.6kg). Both of these products are a simplified version of the Bubba&Me Bedside Crib, which can be strapped to the bed with a zip-drop side, has a storage basket underneath and seven adjustable heights.

It is slightly bigger (H68-80cm x D94cm x W53cm) and considerably heavier (10kg) than the newer models.

What age is the product suitable for?

From birth to 9kg (approx 9 months).

How firm is the mattress?

Very. It is a thin mattress on a solid plastic base. It feels quite hard to touch, but my 2-month-old was happy to nap in it for a good couple of hours without complaint.

How easy is it to see and access your baby?

The crib was a nice height to rock or pick up our baby from our sofa. I could see him through the side meshing. From standing, it was quite far to pick him up, but I wasn’t bothered by this.

Next to our bed, which is quite high, the crib was much lower than me, so I could see him easily (leaning over) but it was too awkward to pick him up from there – better to get out and lift him, which might put some parents off.

Can you lower the side?

No.

How portable is it, and how easy is it to store?

It isn’t designed to be carried upright from room to room, but as it is so quick and easy to fold down and lightweight, that makes it very portable. Folded down in its travel case, it was easy to carry and fit in the boot – great for staying with grandparents.

Does it rock?

Yes. Each leg has a very simple twist mechanism in the middle that turns it into a rocker crib in seconds. It's very smooth to rock.

Does it tilt?

No.

How comfy is this crib for your baby?

Comfort-wise, it's quite basic. The high sides aren't padded (so it can fold down easily) and the mattress is very thin and firm, so it may not suit all babies, particularly for overnight sleeping.

Having said that, my baby was very happy to nap in the crib for a couple of hours as well as to have awake/alert time in it.

How robust and durable does the crib feel?

Very. I can't fault the materials.

How easy is it to keep clean?

The mattress cover is easily removable (with Velcro) and has a slightly plastic feel, like a changing mat, so is easy to wipe clean, too.

Does the crib have any in-built storage?

No.

Are there any design elements you find particularly useful?

The overall compact size, quick fold and carry bag make it a great travel cot.

What's in the box?

• 1 x Ickle Bubba Mini Rocker Crib
• 1 x mattress with removable cover
• 1 x travel bag
• 1 x instruction booklet

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

None.

What did you think of the packaging of this product?

The cardboard box was a good size for the product and recyclable. The crib was already zipped in its carry bag, so no plastic except for the cable ties around some Styrofoam padding on the legs that didn’t seem necessary and were slipping anyway.

Tell us about repair options if it breaks

Ickle Bubba offers a four-year extended warranty for cribs, excluding normal wear and tear and incorrect use. It offers a six-month warranty on mattresses and materials.

Depending on the damage/defect and how it has been caused, Ickle Bubba offers repairs, spare parts or a full replacement product.

Now you've tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the product?

The firmness and thickness of the mattress.

Who would this product be most useful for?

New parents who are short of space in the home or in need of a lightweight, compact travel cot.

Is this product worth the money?

It is a little pricy for what it is compared to other cribs and travel cots, but with a price guarantee from the brand, there's a deal to be had to make it worth its weight.

Where can I buy the Ickle Bubba Mini Rocker Crib?

It is available from Boots, Kiddies Kingdom and Argos

MadeForMums verdict:

The Ickle Bubba Mini Rocker Crib does exactly what its name suggests – at £99, it's not the cheapest bedside cot on the market but it's compact, lightweight, smart and very portable, making it a great option for travelling with newborns and for using both in the bedroom at night and living space in the day, especially if you are short of space in the home.