In Alice in Wonderland, Alice asks the Cheshire Cat which road to take. The cat said it depends on where she is going. That pretty much answers a question that one could ask about what portable bed to buy. It depends on where you are going, what you are doing, or what you are. Are you going camping, to college, or vacationing? Are you a backpacker, a student, a mother, someone who travels a lot?

For Campers, Hikers and Backpackers. If you are frequently going on trips to the mountains, up steep trails and camping grounds, you have the choice of sleeping pad, inflatable mattress or sleeping cot. Each has its own advantage and disadvantage. A sleeping pad is easy to use, but it is generally less comfortable as it would put you more directly over rocks and tree rots than an inflatable mattress or cot would. An inflatable mattress, being cushioned, is more comfortable than a sleeping pad while being comparable in size, ease of use and weight. But it is prone to puncture and is more complex to use as it would need inflation and deflation. A sleeping cot has the advantage of height over a mattress and a sleeping pad. But it is more complicated to set up than a sleeping pad and could take up tent space. With these considerations, it’s for you, the buyer, to balance these factors when choosing a bed.

For Mothers. Running a home would most likely mean having to accommodate relatives, the kids’ friends or other visitors in the house. Portable beds will be a good thing to have when there’s no more room space in the house. An air bed or inflatable mattress would always come in handy when unexpected guests arrive or when going over with the kids to the house of relatives or on hotels during vacation. Inflatable beds offer the advantage of being light to carry and easy to keep without the need for large spaces. They can also be rolled and folded to variable dimensions.

For Babies. Portable air beds for infants and toddlers could help a lot in making the child comfortable whether at home or somewhere else. With the baby comfy, Mommy could enjoy and relax herself. Kids’ travel beds usually have raised edges to keep the child from rolling off and falling. They’re great to carry when visiting grandma and grandpa, when traveling or napping at a visit to the park.

For Students. Going off to your first year in college and living on your own in your first apartment? Just like Mom in your home, an inflatable mattress, air bed or sleeping pad would come in handy around your dorm. You can bring it when sleeping over to friends’ place, or going on camping trips. You can also have use for portable beds if you have guests coming over and they need a place to sleep. Or perhaps an opportunity will come to you when you need to travel to another city or state to do summer jobs, volunteer works, trainings and the accommodation is such that you need to bring your own bed.

Rachel Nunez

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/portable-beds-what-type-is-for-you-734119.html

Many parents debate as to whether or not to use portable inflatable toddler beds when taking their children on overnight trips.  There are quite a few different models available for them to use when taking their children out on their trips.  It is simply a matter of finding the right bed to make that parent happy.

Keep in mind that the inflatable toddler beds are really airbeds.  However, one must find an airbed that is safe for their child to sleep on, and does not present a hazard in any form for the child.

How do you find the right one?  Well, it takes some time as you do not want to put your child in jeopardy.   Taking a trip to the local camping store to do some comparison shopping would be a really good start, with your child in tow.
Look at the airbeds that are in the camping store.  Do they have surfaces that are completely flat or are the surfaces sunken below the edge so that the child will not roll out onto the floor?

Are the airbeds in the store cheap, thin plastic, or are they a thick PVC type of plastic?  Have you, as a parent considered not using the airbed, and just putting your child on the floor, instead?

While putting your child on the floor is an option, it is not always a good idea.  This is especially true for some children who seriously thrash around in their sleep, as they may hurt themselves.
On the other hand, making your child as comfortable as possible when they are going to be away from home so that they will sleep well is just as necessary, too.  Well-rested children are far less cranky during overnight trips, and definitely more cooperative.

One option that may not necessarily be found in some camping stores, but may have some similarities to what is found in them are Ready beds for children.

However, the one thing that this particular airbed does have–that most airbeds do not–to protect children is a sleeping surface that is recessed by ten centimeters.  While children sleep in a recessed surface, they are less likely to fall out of the bed that they are sleeping in, and consequently won’t hurt themselves.
Finding airbeds that have a recessed sleeping surface can be done, but not with such a deeply recessed surface as these Ready Beds.  In an effort to prevent children from rolling off while sleeping, and harming themselves,  these Ready Beds were designed for children so that a child can toss and turn in their sleep.

Click Here to Browse the Full Selection of Ready Beds for Children