Did you know? The mattress your child sleeps on profoundly affects his or her bone strength and posture. It’s an important decision and, when the right product is chosen, it can last up to 10 years and provide your child the foundation he or she needs to grow up healthy and strong.
There are various steps we recommend following when buying a child's mattress. First, you are going to want to determine the proper size bed for your child. This is a critical decision as too small of a bed will be uncomfortable but too big of a bed can pose a safety issue. For example, if you have a toddler, it makes sense to start them off with a toddler bed first rather than move straight to a twin-size bed. Make sure that whatever size kid bed you get, it is appropriately sized for your child.
Additionally, you should consider the material the bed is made out of. Most children’s beds have innerspring coils, but there are also memory foam, latex foam, and pillow-top options. The primary consideration here should be comfort and support, so allowing your child to try out different materials at the showroom is a good way to get a verdict on which one they like best. Finally, you should consider the possibility your child may have allergies to a particular mattress or mattress material. You can buy a synthetic mattress, which will be resistant to dust mites and other allergens. You can also purchase an antimicrobial bed cover in order to further reduce the possibility of allergens disturbing or preventing your little one’s sleep.
Below, we will explore each step in more detail to ensure you buy just the right mattress for your child.
1. Determine The Right Size
Kids mattress shopping begins when your child is an infant. Many cribs convert to toddler beds, but you’ll want to purchase a new, toddler mattress when your child reaches that stage. Avoid moving straight into twin-size mattresses as they may be too high and/or stiff and pose safety issues.
If your older child is tall or you want to avoid your child outgrowing a mattress too soon, consider an extra-long twin mattress. Many middle-school-aged children and teens prefer full- or queen-size mattresses, which can accommodate them well into adulthood on visits home.
2. Find The Right Support
Children’s mattresses are essential to their bone growth and spine development. You’ll want to invest in the most supportive mattress you can afford. Bring your child with you when shopping for his or her mattress so that he or she can test them out for comfort. You should also test each mattress, as children often have trouble determining adequate support. A good rule of thumb: choose a mattress with at least 225 coils and a gauge of 13.
3. Explore Materials
The most common children’s mattresses are made from innerspring coils. They consist of a series of coils—or springs—which provide support, topped with comfort layers (various foams and fibers) to cushion the body. Memory foam, latex foam, or pillowtop mattresses also are good options for kids, as they have added cushion and support.
4. Make It Durable
Kids have accidents, and not only that—they are well known to jump on beds. Be sure to add a mattress protector and cover to your purchase, which will help the mattress last longer.
5. Consider Allergies
If your child has or develops allergies, consider purchasing him or her a synthetic-filled mattress, which will resist dust mites and allergens. You can also purchase microbial mattress covers and be sure to wash sheets with an allergy-free detergent.
