Portable Crib

Uses of a Portable Crib

• Naptime-When you bring your newborn home from the hospital, you may find that it is easier if you designate a place in the living room for your baby to nap, especially if her bedroom is some distance from the main areas of the house. You'll have lots of visitors in the first few weeks after your baby is born, and they'll all want to see him or her. In addition, if you had a Cesarean birth, you'll need additional rest and just walking from the couch to the nursery can be exhausting. To make things a little more convenient, you can set up a portable crib in the living room or den, and this is where your baby can take her naps.
• Traveling-Another great plus is that they are great when you are traveling with baby. While some hotels may offer cribs or cots to their guests, many don't. Portable cribs are a great option for traveling parents. You and your baby can get some much needed rest at the end of a long day. If you are off to Grandma's for the weekend, and she doesn't have a baby bed set up, it's is easy to take along your child's portable bed.
• Playtime-As your baby grows, he can use it as a playpen. Since these cribs are so mobile, you can even take them outside as you garden or work in the yard. Many parents set them up in the corner of the living room, dining room, or kitchen and use them as a play area for baby, especially once baby begins crawling all over the place. Of course, you never want to leave your active baby very long in a portable crib or playpen. He needs exercise and stimulation, and he won't enjoy being cooped up for too long!

Purchasing a Portable Crib

As you begin your search, there are several points that you should keep in mind.

Cosmetic Features

• How much money have you set aside in your budget for this crib?

You can always select the crib of your choice and register it at department stores. Several friends or relatives may decide to go in together to purchase one, eliminating one a major item on your list of baby supplies.

• You also need to decide what features are important to you.

Do you want a portable crib that has a changing area and mobile attached? Do you want a crib that has side pockets for storage?

• Think about how the crib will be used.

Do you travel often? Do you see yourself using this crib as a playpen, too?

• Do colors and patterns matter to you?

Do you want one matching your baby's nursery? Are there specific colors that you favor over others? If you know your child's gender, do you want to purchase a crib that is specifically decorated for a boy or a girl?

Safety Features

Once you've narrowed down the cosmetic features that you want, you need to consider some safety features that are essential to a good portable crib.

• Recall Notices-Before you ever begin shopping, you need to visit the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website to see a list of product recalls. This is especially important if you are planning on borrowing or purchasing a used portable crib for your baby!
• Crib Mattress-Although it won't be your baby's primary bed, it is very important that the crib mattress fits the crib snuggly. You don't want to risk your infant becoming caught between the sides and the mattress. Some of the mattresses are very thin, too, so check for comfort as well as safety.
• Safety Features-There are several safety features that you should look for when purchasing a crib. Mesh sides should have very small holes, so that little fingers don't get caught. The hinges on the crib should lock into place, so that there is no chance of the crib collapsing and injuring your child. Your baby or toddler should not be able to unlock the safety locks!
• Crib Height-The crib height should be at least 22 inches. When your toddler gets old enough to begin climbing out of the portable crib, it's time to put it away!

Compare Prices

Finally, continue to compare prices over several weeks. If you are ordering online, take shipping costs into account as well as the online store's return policy.

Related Baby Articles

• Crib Mattress
• Round Baby Cribs
• Baby Nursery Bedding
• Baby Carrier
• Baby Crib Bedding