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. Start here with our simple guide to children’s mattresses. Mattress buying 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 a twin-size mattress as it 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Finding the best mattress for your child can be hard work. won’t make specific recommendations. There are, however, recommendations on ways to narrow your search to find the best mattress for your child. One of the easiest ways to begin is to decide what size mattress you should get for your child. Since children start out small, many parents opt for a twin mattress. However, that may not be the best choice. suggests that if space allows, consider a full-size mattress to make storytime and cuddling in bed with your child a bit more comfortable. If your child’s room doubles as a guest room, that’s another reason to think about getting a larger mattress. You also have some choices to make about box springs since they come in different heights. suggests you consider a low profile or bunkie board to keep the overall height of the bed a bit lower. Also keep in mind that your new mattress may last 10 years. Think about what will be best for your child in the future. reports that traditional innerspring mattresses are by far the most popular, and it calls them the “best mattress for most.”
notes that mattress owners generally rate memory foam, air, water and latex mattresses higher than innersprings in comfort, durability and longevity. reports about 20 percent of owners of memory foam mattresses complain about the hardness of their beds and some report an unpleasant odor when the mattress is new. It notes that latex mattresses tend to be springier and durable, but they can be expensive. notes that children of all ages need a mattress that provides comfort and adequate support system. If your children are older, it recommends getting them involved in the buying process. The Better Sleep Council suggests using the acronym SLEEP when trying out a mattress: "Select a mattress; Lie down in your sleep position; Evaluate the level of comfort and support; Educate yourself about each selection; Partners should try each mattress together." notes that hand-me-downs clothes may be cool, but hand-me-down mattresses aren’t such a good idea. If a mattress isn’t good enough for you anymore, it’s not going to provide enough support for your growing child either.
If you’re buying an infant mattress, make sure it’s firm. Infants should sleep on firm mattresses to reduce the risk of SIDS. Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week What Firmness of Mattress Is Best for a Toddler? What Ages Are Toddler Beds Designed For? How to Turn Crib Into Toddler Bed How to Convert a Crib Into a Full Size Bed Safety of Crib Netting Are Memory Foam Mattresses Good for Your Back? Is a Toddler Bed or Twin Bed Better for a 2-Year-Old? The Best Mattress for Large Heavy Side Sleepers The Best Beds for Your Back Pillow Safety for Toddlers Tips for Keeping an 18-Month-Old in a Toddler Bed Mattresses & Back Pain How to Clean a Crib Mattress How Do I Know What Type of Mattress Is Best for Me?
Exercise Ball Work for Lower Back Pain How Old Should a Baby Be Before Using a Pillow? Is Flame-Resistant Clothing Safe for Children? Exercise for Upper Back Pain Is it Safe to Reuse a Crib Mattress? When it’s time to make the move from toddler bed to big kid bed, do you buy a firm mattress or soft? Here are our tips to remove the stress from mattress shopping and help make your child’s transition comfy and cozy. As adults, we lie on every mattress, test which is most comfortable for us and make informed decisions based on what we feel, but buying a mattress for another person can be tricky, especially when that other person bounces from bed to bed in the mattress store, proclaiming them all jump-worthy. So how do you choose the best mattress for your child? Here are some questions to consider as you make your selection: What material is inside the mattress? Many materials contain harmful chemicals, like polyvinyl chloride, which let off emissions that are known carcinogens.
Organic mattresses, which are typically made from organic cotton, are growing in popularity and are increasingly easy to find. Will the mattress allow for your child to grow and still be comfortable? Though your child is small now, he or she will likely be sleeping on the mattress that you choose for 15-plus years, so you’ll want to choose one that’s large enough to comfortably sleep an adult. Should you buy new or gently used? It's always best to buy a new mattress. Used mattresses usually bring with them bacteria, mold, mites and bodily fluid residue. Does your child like the way it feels? Although it can be tricky to get your child to lie still long enough to get a sense of whether the mattress is truly comfortable, it’s helpful if they can tell you what they think about it. Ask them non-leading questions like “How does this mattress feel to you?” and “Is this mattress hard or soft?” If your child wavers between a couple of mattresses, opt for the firmer of the two, since it will offer good support while your child’s bones are forming and growing.