There's nothing quite like having the grandchildren come to stay. But if you're like most grandparents, you've probably wondered: do I really need to buy a travel cot, high chair, and stair gates that'll sit unused 90% of the year?

The good news is no, you don't. Here's a practical guide to what you actually need—and smarter ways to get it.

The Essentials (What You Really Need)

Safe Sleep Setup

Babies need a safe place to sleep. For most grandparents, a travel cot is the answer—it folds away when not in use and meets safety standards. But unless the grandchildren visit very frequently, buying one that sits in the spare room for months makes little sense.

Smart option: Rent a travel cot when they visit. Costs around £8-15 per day, and you return it afterwards.

Feeding Station

Once babies start solids (around 6 months), you'll need somewhere safe for them to sit during meals. A high chair or clip-on seat does the job.

Smart option: Portable high chairs or clip-on seats are compact and easy to rent for visits.

Getting Around

If you're planning outings—to the park, shops, or just a walk—you might need a pushchair. But storing a pram you use twice a year? That's a lot of garage space.

Smart option: Ask the parents to bring theirs, or rent one locally for longer stays.

Safety Essentials

Some safety items are worth having permanently:

• Socket covers — cheap and small to store
• Corner protectors — for sharp table edges
• Cupboard locks — for cleaning supplies and medicines

Stair gates are trickier. They're bulky and need proper fitting. If visits are infrequent, consider temporary pressure-fit gates that can be removed between visits—or simply keep little ones away from stairs with supervision.

What You Don't Need

Resist the temptation to buy everything. You probably don't need:

• A full nursery setup — a travel cot in any quiet room works fine
• Duplicate toys — children are happy with pots, pans, and cardboard boxes
• Every gadget — baby swings, bouncers, and walkers are nice-to-haves, not essentials
• Expensive brands — for occasional use, mid-range works perfectly

The Renting Solution

More grandparents are discovering that renting baby equipment makes far more sense than buying for occasional visits:

• No storage needed — return it when the visit ends
• No wasted money — pay only for when you need it
• Quality gear — access well-maintained equipment
• Flexibility — rent different items as the grandchildren grow

A weekend visit might cost £20-40 in rental fees versus £200+ to buy equipment that gathers dust.

Preparing for Different Ages

Newborns (0-6 months)

• Travel cot or Moses basket
• Somewhere to change nappies (a mat on the floor works)
• Parents will bring car seat, bottles, etc.

Older Babies (6-12 months)

• Travel cot
• High chair
• Basic baby-proofing
• A few safe toys or books

Toddlers (1-3 years)

• Toddler bed or travel cot
• Booster seat for meals
• More thorough baby-proofing
• Stair gates if needed

Talk to the Parents

Before buying or renting anything, check with the parents. They might:

• Bring everything they need
• Have specific preferences or requirements
• Be happy for you to rent or borrow items
• Have spare equipment they can leave at yours

The Bottom Line

Being a grandparent shouldn't mean turning your home into a baby equipment warehouse. Focus on the essentials—safe sleep and feeding—and rent what you need for visits. Your home stays clutter-free, your wallet stays fuller, and the grandchildren are just as happy.