Cribs and high chairs in vacation rentals: what to include, regulations, and how to attract families

Offering a crib and high chair in your vacation home may seem like a minor detail, but it's one of those things that make a family choose your apartment over the neighbor's. Families with babies travel loaded and look for accommodations that save them from moving half the living room. In this guide, I tell you which models to include, what safety regulations say, how much it really costs, and how to turn these two items into a reservation machine.

Why families with babies are a niche that interests you

Families with young children have a very specific booking pattern: they book in advance, stay longer (an average of 5-7 nights compared to 3-4 for couples), and are less sensitive to price. They are also more careful with the apartment because they are attentive to the baby and don't throw parties.

The problem is that many owners don't attract them because they don't offer the basics: crib, high chair, and some baby kit. And a family with a 10-month-old baby isn't going to travel with the crib on their back.

According to internal data from major OTAs, filters like "baby-friendly" and "crib available" are among the most used by families booking stays longer than 4 nights.

What you need to have (minimum viable)

You don't need to set up a nursery. With the essentials, you're more than covered:

• Travel crib with mattress and sheets.
• High chair for eating.
• Plug protectors (optional but adds points).
• Bag or box to store everything when not in use.

With that, you can check the "baby-friendly" box on Airbnb, Booking, and Vrbo. If you also add a portable changing table, potty, or bed barrier, you level up and can highlight these in your listing.

Cribs: which model to buy

Here are three options, each logical depending on your property.

Foldable travel crib

The most practical option for vacation rentals. It folds, takes up little space, is taken out when needed, and stored when not.

• Price: between 60 and 150 euros for a decent one.
• Reliable brands: Chicco, Hauck, Kinderkraft, Joie.
• Advantage: no permanent space occupation, doesn't bother guests without children.
• Disadvantage: needs to be assembled and disassembled.

Fixed wooden crib

Only makes sense if you have a dedicated children's room or if you rent to families frequently. It takes up a lot of space and may bother other guests.

Mini crib or cradle

For babies under 6 months. Almost no one travels with such young babies, so it’s not worth it unless your target audience is very specific.

My recommendation: foldable travel crib. End of story. It's used by 90% of vacation rentals and works.

High chairs: which model to buy

Similar to cribs, but with fewer useful options.

Standard foldable high chair

The sensible choice. It folds, stores, and is taken out when needed.

• Price: between 40 and 100 euros.
• Reliable brands: Chicco Pocket Snack, Ikea Antilop (this last one is a classic for 25 euros and lasts forever).
• Advantage: cheap, lightweight, easy to clean.

Table booster seat

Clips onto the table or a chair. Takes up very little space, but isn't suitable for all tables or all babies.

Adjustable high chair

Forget it. Expensive, large, and not suitable for vacation rentals.

My recommendation: Ikea Antilop. 25 euros, easy to clean with a cloth, stackable, and durable. Used by the entire sector.

Regulations and safety: what you can't be fined for but can be sued

There is no specific law requiring you to provide a crib or high chair in your vacation rental. It's voluntary. But if you do, they must comply with European child safety standards.

CE Marking and UNE-EN standards

Product	European standard
Travel cribs	UNE-EN 716
Fixed cribs	UNE-EN 716-1
High chairs	UNE-EN 14988
Crib mattresses	UNE-EN 16890

Always buy products with CE marking and referencing these standards. Second-hand products from Wallapop pose a risk: you don't know if they have been withdrawn due to safety defects or missing parts.

If a baby suffers an accident due to a defective crib in your property, your civil liability may be activated. Check your tourist rental insurance and ensure it covers third-party damages caused by property elements. More info in our insurance guide for tourist rentals.

Maintenance and inspection

• Check the crib every 3-4 months: screws, fabric, zippers.
• Replace the mattress if there are persistent stains or it loses firmness.
• Wash crib sheets between guests (obvious, but remember).
• If the crib falls, breaks, or has a damaged part, remove it immediately. Do not use it "until the new one arrives".

How much does all this cost (real numbers)

Concept	Cost
Decent travel crib	80-120 euros
Additional mattress	20-30 euros
2 sets of crib sheets	20-30 euros
Ikea Antilop high chair + tray	30 euros
Plug protectors (pack)	5-10 euros
Storage bag	15 euros
Initial total	170-235 euros

These items last for years if cared for. Amortized over 2-3 family bookings.

How to communicate this in your listing

Having a crib and high chair is useless if you don't make it clear. Here are the places to mention it:

1. Listing title (if your apartment is clearly family-oriented): "Baby-friendly" or "Complete family kit".
2. Services / amenities: check "crib", "high chair", "baby-friendly" boxes.
3. Description: a specific sentence. Example: "We have a travel crib with sheets and a foldable high chair at no extra cost. Just let us know when booking."
4. Photos: a picture of the crib set up in the room works very well. It shows it's real, not just an ad.

How to manage it day-to-day

The common mistake is to leave the crib permanently assembled. Don't do it: it bothers 70% of guests who don't need it.

Effective system:

• Ask the guest in the welcome message if they need a crib or high chair (more tips in what to communicate to your guests before they arrive).
• If they say yes, the cleaning staff leaves it assembled before check-in.
• If not, it stays stored in the closet or storage room.

This way, you don't bother anyone and provide the service to those who need it.

Common mistakes that cost you reviews

• Dirty or stained crib from the previous baby. Disgusting. Guaranteed 1-star review.
• Reused crib sheets without washing. Just as serious.
• High chair with dried food residues. Very common. Check it thoroughly.
• Crib without mattress or with an inappropriate mattress. The mattress must be specific for that crib, not just any cushion.
• Not informing that you have a crib until they arrive. If you have one, mention it in the listing. If they don't know, they travel with theirs.
• Charging for the crib. Don't do it. 25 euros amortized over two bookings. Charging it closes doors.

Is it worth it for your apartment?

It depends on your property's profile. Quick test:

• Do you have 2 or more rooms? Yes, list them.
• Are you in a beach, mountain, or rural area? Yes, list them.
• Is your apartment a studio in a party zone? No need.
• Do you accept groups of more than 4 people? Yes, list it.

In general, if your apartment can host families, this is an investment of less than 200 euros that opens a very profitable niche.

How Autoregistro fits in

When a family with a baby arrives, you need to register all guests in SES Hospedajes, including minors (here's the complete guide on registering minors in tourist rentals).

Autoregistro does exactly that: your guests receive a link, fill in their details and those of their children from their phone, and everything is automatically sent to SES Hospedajes. No scanning IDs with a crying baby in your arms, no manual forms.

1 euro per month per property. Less than a coffee. And it saves you the most uncomfortable part of check-in with families.

Frequently asked questions

Can I charge an extra for the crib and high chair?

You can, but I don't recommend it. Most competitive properties offer them for free. Charging 10 euros for a crib makes you look stingy and excludes you compared to the neighboring property that includes them.

What if a guest breaks the crib or high chair?

It's rare, but if it happens, you can deduct it from the deposit (more info in how to manage damages and deposits). Document the condition with photos before and after.

Do I need to register the baby in SES Hospedajes?

Yes. All guests, including minors of any age, must be registered. The baby's details are provided by one of the parents.

Can I use a second-hand crib?

Technically yes, as long as it has CE marking, all parts are present, and it's not damaged. But it's risky: safety standards change, and some old cribs have been withdrawn from the market. For 80 euros new, it's not worth the risk.

What about bunk beds or extra beds for older children?

Another good investment if your apartment can accommodate them. An extra bed or sofa bed for children aged 3-10 broadens your audience. But don't confuse: the crib is for babies (under 3 years) and doesn't replace a children's bed.