Sleep is essential for a child’s growth and well-being. A good night’s sleep is vital to develop memory, immune system, responsiveness, and perform well at school. If you’re noticing that your child can’t concentrate in class or is becoming a fussy sleeper, it may be time to upgrade their sleep setup. Here are a few vital tips to help you choose the best mattress for your child.
Set Your Budget
Like adult mattresses, children’s mattresses come in a wide range of prices. A budget will help you to limit your expense and narrow down your options. As a parent, you may feel tempted to buy the highest-end product for your child to ensure a peaceful sleep. But, if your child is still growing, you may want to consider holding off until they’re ready for a full-sized mattress.
Pick the Right Size
The first point to remember while choosing a mattress for kids is determining the size. Younger sleepers have different needs than tweens or teens. The bed’s size depends on the child’s age, size, and how long you wish to continue using the mattress. Here is a quick guide for your reference.
- Baby and Crib Sleepers– The standard mattress size to look for for a new baby is 28 inches by 52 inches. However, for a crib mattress, you need to have your crib dimensions handy while shopping.
- Toddlers– If your child is transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed, you’ll need a new mattress. A toddler bed usually has a partial or low railing to keep your child safe and prevent them from rolling out of bed. Or, you can go straight to a standard twin bed if you don’t want to invest in another bed for the growing sleeper. If you’re shopping for a toddler mattress, you need to go for a twin or a minimum dimension of 38 inches by 75 inches.
- Kids– While a twin is the most common mattress for this age group, you can consider a twin XL mattress if you want it to last longer. The standard dimension for this category is 38 inches by 80 inches.
- Tweens and Teens– You can safely buy a full-size mattress (also known as a double) for teens and tweens, measuring 54 inches by 75 inches. Or, you can opt for a queen, measuring 60 inches by 80 inches.
Choose a Mattress Type
Apart from the child’s age, you should also consider their weight, height, sleeping position, and medical needs when investing in a new mattress. There are different types of mattresses from which to choose:
- Foam– Foam mattresses are not recommended for infants and toddlers. However, older children, particularly those who sleep on their side, may enjoy the adaptive nature of memory foam. Remember, memory foam may have a strong smell for the first few weeks, disrupting sleep. However, it isn’t harmful, and if the bedroom is well-ventilated, the odor can quickly dissipate.
- Innerspring– The coils within innerspring mattresses create a more-defined edge, making it more difficult for a child to roll off this type of mattress.
- Hybrid– Hybrid mattresses have two support systems: their innerspring construction and a foam layer. These mattresses provide a combination of support and comfort.
- Organic– An organic mattress is chemical-free and recommended for children who suffer from allergies. These mattresses are made from organic materials and are often flame resistant and even biodegradable. Organic mattresses are gentle and highly recommended for infants and toddlers.
Pick the Right Firmness and Thickness
Firm mattresses are recommended for young children, especially children below 18 months, because it helps in proper form development. As they grow older, children may prefer a soft or firm mattress, so keep that in mind before making a purchase. If your child has a medical condition like back pain or any other chronic illness, they may need a specific mattress thickness. If you’re looking for a child’s mattress with standard thickness, you’ll want to search for the best 12-inch mattress on the market.
Look for Durability
Last but certainly not least, you want to consider durability, as even the best-behaved kids may spill things, roughhouse, or jump on the bed. When it comes to durability, latex beds tend to last the longest, and you may want to choose this option if you have multiple kids and another sibling may inherit the mattress. However, if you only need the mattress for one kid, durability isn’t as crucial, as they’ll grow out of the mattress anyway.
Better Sleep for Growing Bodies
Though mattresses can get pricey, think of buying a new bed as investing in your child’s physical and mental health. Even more so than adults, kids need their sleep to rest, refresh, and grow their bodies, and having the right mattress can make all the difference when it comes to sleep quality.