Sleep is so important for any child’s development and growth. Your child needs plenty of rest to be able to grow and develop and function properly. Sleep allows the brain to rest so that your child can be ready for school and/or play the next day. It also ensures that your child will be able to grow physically and be active each day. Having a comfortable mattress to sleep on each night, can play a big role in whether or not your child sleeps soundly. So, what is the best mattress for your child?
What Is The Best Mattress For Your Child?
Did you know that buying a mattress for yourself is very different from buying for your child? There are many different things to keep in consideration when buying a mattress for your child.
Their physical needs are different, and they require different support. They grow SO fast, they may suffer from allergies, and they may have accidents during the night. You just never know with kids! So unpredictable! And, each child is SO different!
Because investing in a good mattress for kids is key for health and development, you will need to know a bit more about mattresses before just jumping in and spending your money on just any mattress.
There are SO many mattresses on the market, so I put together this helpful post that will help to answer your question: “What is the best mattress for your child?“. Below is a guide to assist you in picking out the best mattress for your child, so that both you and your children can sleep well at night.
What Materials Should You Choose?
There are a lot of things to take into consideration when purchasing a mattress (for you or your child!). You should consider how firm it is for your child, as well as understand how your child sleeps at night before making the big purchase, mattresses are not cheap! Is your child a restless sleeper? What position did he/she sleep in? A lot of things to take into consideration!
Does your child suffer from allergies? If so, you will want a mattress that is naturally hypoallergenic as a rule of thumb, but there are some that might impact your child more than others.
As with adult mattresses, kids mattresses come in open-sprung, pocket-sprung, memory foam and latex. Each of these has its own, individual benefits, but they have their downfalls too. Here is the breakdown of the differences between the mattresses:
Open-Sprung
Pros
- Lighter than most mattresses;
- They are a long-lasting and good value for money;
- You can flip them and turn them in any direction.
Cons
- Not very supportive due to their make-up;
- They tend to sag in the middle;
- They are more susceptible to bacteria and mites.
Pocket-Sprung
Pros
- Highly supportive;
- Comfortable tufted covering layering;
- Will last eight to ten years.
Cons
- They are more susceptible to bacteria and mites;
- Fewer springs mean less support (check the number of springs carefully);
- Excessive use can lessen the number of years the mattress will last.
Memory Foam
Pros
- Highly supportive;
- Dense and body forming which is perfect for restless sleepers;
- Will last over 12 years
Cons
- A downfall is that the foam releases gasses from the foam known as off-gassing;
- Can be very hot with little insulation.
Latex
Pros
- Highly supportive;
- Breathable mattresses that are perfect for children who get really hot at night;
- The synthetics of the mattress are less likely to attract bacteria and mites and are naturally hypoallergenic;
- It is made of natural materials and is environmentally friendly;
- They are comfortable and retain bodily movements;
- They last longer than most mattresses and are very durable.
Cons
- They are more costly than other mattresses;
- They are incredibly heavy.
Have You Thought About Age Differences?
Considering the age of your child is also important when picking the right mattress. You will naturally want something that will last a while for your child, as let’s face it, mattresses come with a price-tag. But each stage of development will come with different mattress needs. You will also need to ensure that you are buying bigger mattresses to adapt to your child’s growth.
Naturally, this is not set in stone, however, these are the recommended guidelines for updating your child’s mattress.
One to Three
Babies and infants will need very firm mattresses. These are ideal as their little bones and muscles are developing at a rapid rate, and they need all the support that they can get. You will also need a mattress that is protected due to the frequent accidents that infants have.
Make sure you measure the crib and make sure you buy a suitable size that is not too high or too small for the crib. A foam or innerspring mattress is your ideal option, but make sure they are not too soft. When it comes to foam, it is easy for it to become too soft and your infant can sink into the bed and possibly be suffocated.
Four to Ten
The best options for this age-group are the foam types. They are resilient, hypoallergenic and supportive for the child. They also don’t need to cost an arm and a leg, so that when the child grows out of the bed, you can replace it.
As mentioned, the off-gassing might put you off, however, ensure that the room is well ventilated at all times and you should not have a problem. If your child wets the bed frequently, you can protect the foam with a protective cover.
Eleven to Sixteen
These are now the ages where you can look into a longer-term investment. You can choose to increase the size of the bed and possibly invest in a more expensive mattress. Keep in mind, accidents still happen at a younger age, so protectors are important.
Sleep monitoring can also assist you in making the choice of what bed to buy for your child. Depending on their restlessness, you can make the choice of which option is best for them.
Why Should You Think About The Bed?
Choosing a mattress will also depend on the bed and the frame that you have chosen. If you are choosing a mattress for a bunk bed, for example, you are going to have to go for one that is stronger, firmer and sturdier than other mattresses. You will also need to measure the height of the frame itself and choose a mattress based on its height. You obviously do not want something that is too high, as the child could roll off over the railings, but one that is too low could also impact their sleep.
Spring mattresses, as well as foam mattresses, are great choices for bunk beds. They supply just the right amount of support and ventilation. They are also handy in the case of having bunk beds that have large spaces between the slats of the bed. If you are still concerned, you can purchase and lay down support that will also encourage airflow to the mattress.
Consider the size of the bed too. The choice for children’s bed sizes usually come between single and three-quarter sizes. If you are planning to upgrade them to something bigger like a double or queen by the time they reach their teens, consider this before making the purchase.
Wrapping Up
In wrapping up, each child is different and will require different mattress needs. Make sure you do some research into each brand before you buy it. Also, ensure that you buy a great mattress protector for longer-lasting mattresses.