Thursday, January 8, 2009

7 Steps to Getting the Right Toddler Travel Bed for Your Child

By Jen Stoddart

Don't lose sleep trying to decide which Toddler Travel Bed is right for your child. It used to be when parents took their kids overnight to grandmas that grandma and grandpa had a second-hand crib that the toddler could sleep in. Or when traveling on vacation parents would rely on some crummy old crib setup by the hotel.

Not any longer. Parents want their child to be comfortable and safe when they travel - even if the travel is just an overnight at the grandparents' home. If you have ever been away from home with your child for at least one night you have probably considered a Toddler Travel Bed. There are lots available on the market - some will suit your family better than others. Here is help for you to choose one that best fits your lifestyle and budget.

1. Lightweight - make sure that the bed is light enough to carry. When you are travelling with your toddler think about strategies to keep your load light. One way to do this is to buy a travel bed that is light. It should certainly weigh less than 6 pounds or under 3 kilograms. The lighter the better.

2. Small. You may be packing the bed to take with you on a plane or a cruise ship or just loading into your car with all the other baby gear. Look for one that is small when packed away. Good portable beds will be no larger than 60 centimetres by 20 centimetres by 20 centimetres or 24 inches by 8 inches by 8 inches. The toddler travel bed should also come with its own carry case.

3. Easy to set up - the last thing you want is when you get to your destination is having to fumble in setting up the bed for your child. It should be a simple process to set up and a simple process to fold it back up again when you are finished. Set up time and fold up time should take less than 1 minute, and it should be able to be done by one person.

4. Able to reach your child with ease. It's midnight and your child is awake. You want to be able to easily put them back to sleep by patting their back or you want to pick them up. You want to easily and effortlessly get to your child. Look for a bed that has a side panel that zips down so that the panel can be lowered allowing you to reach for your son or daughter.

5. Mesh panels for good air flow. When travelling the room your child may be sleeping in may be stuffy. Choosing a bed with mesh panels on the side will maximize the amount of air circulating past your child helping to keep your son or daughter comfortable during their sleep-time.

6. Light and comfortable mattress. The mattress in a toddler travel bed can sometimes be heavier than the bed frame itself. Look for a travel bed that comes with a foam mattress - it will be both comfortable for your child and lightweight to carry.

7. Guarantees and returns. A toddler travel bed is an investment in your child's comfort, safety, and happiness. You want to make your purchase with confidence. Look for a bed that has a lifetime warranty. And make sure that it can be returned to the retailer with no hassles if it just isn't right for your family.

There are lots of essential pieces of baby gear that make life better and easier for families. We consider a toddler travel bed to be essential to our family - and maybe you feel the same way for your family. When the time is right for you to look for a bed for your toddler child use these tips to help to make the right decision for you. - 16955

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