Tuesday, January 6, 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.

We know that parents want their little ones to be safe and comfortable when they are away from home - but it is not always easy. It just takes one night away from home when your son or daughter cries all night because the bed they are sleeping in just isn't comfortable for them. Or, you see the bed that has been set up for them to sleep in - and you just know that it is not safe. The solution may be to get a toddler travel bed for your child - there are many options available - here are our tips to help you choose one that is best for you and your child.

1. The lighter the better. All things considered - the lighter the bed the better. The bed you choose should be under 6 pounds (in metric that's under 3 kg.). Travelling with a baby means that you have other gear as well - diaper bag, stroller, etc. Everything you buy - including your toddler travel bed should be ultra lightweight.

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. No hassle set up and put away process. Speed and simplicity are the keys when setting up or putting away your toddler travel bed. You arrive at your destination - your child is tired - you don't want to struggle to get the bed set up. You want a bed that one person can handle on their own for set up and for putting it away in its travel pack. The bed you get for your child should be easily set up in less than one minute or so, and it should be put away in a similar amount of time.

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. Comfortable and light mattress - you want your toddler to be comfortable and you also want to have a lightweight bed. Make sure that the portable bed that you purchase has a comfortable foam mattress.

7. Buy with confidence. Check to make sure that the retailer that you purchase from has a no problem return policy - you want to make sure that the bed can be returned (with no problems from the retailer) if it just isn't right for your family. And if the bed that you purchase is a high quality one, the manufacturer should provide a life time guarantee which will protect you years from now in case there is a problem.

If you travel (even to the relatives) a couple of times a year having a toddler travel bed will make it so much easier for you and your family. We think that it is an essential piece of baby gear. If you a considering a travel bed for your toddler daughter or son refer to these seven tips when making your purchasing decision.

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