Sleepopolis is supported by readers. Product links on Sleepopolis are referral links. If you use one of these and buy something Sleepopolis makes a little bit of money. See how it all works here. Shopping for the best mattress for kids might seem like a simple and painless process, but are you actually selecting the most appropriate mattress for your child? Sleep habits vary between kids of all ages and taking time to choose the right mattress might be more important than you imagined. There are so many intricacies that are involved with selecting the best mattress for your kids, so how do you know which is best? In this guide, we’re going to highlight the key factors that will help you find the most healthy, comfortable, and best overall mattress for your kids. In a rush today? Click here to jump to the best mattress for kids list! Growing Bodies & Mattress Size As a child gets older, their body will grow. This should not mean purchasing a new mattress every year due to the outgrowing of their current mattress.
One of the most important factors when selecting the best mattress for your kids is mattress size. The smaller the mattress, the quicker it is outgrown. Twin, Twin XL, or Full size mattresses are typically the best choices for children. Additionally, the Twin and Twin XL are going to be the most affordable. While the Full mattress is a bit more expensive, it does serve as an excellent size to allow for growth all the way to adulthood. Additionally, when your children are young, a Full mattress allows you to comfortably lie with them, yet also allows for them to grow into the mattress and retain the constant comfort of the same childhood mattress. A high quality mattress can last 8-12 years. It may cost a little bit more initially, but the benefit to your child’s long-term health and sleep will be well worth it. Many kids experience soreness, poor sleeping habits, and a multitude of other uncomfortable sleep related issues. These issues tend to be directly correlated to a low quality mattress that provides minimal comfort for the child.
Hand-me-downs and cheap mattresses tend to be the underlying cause surrounding this correlation. Although a better fitting mattress can be a little pricier, it is worth the cost in the long run. If a young boy or girl is forced to sleep on an uncomfortable mattress, they can develop poor sleep habits at a young age. If a high quality mattress is purchased, the comfort levels tend to skyrocket for the kids, creating an easier night’s rest. High quality sleep is extremely important for a child’s health. The benefit to your child goes well beyond just sleep. Quality sleep impacts their school performance, mood level, and a litany of other correlated factors. Good sleep creates good kids. Although comfort and support are often interpreted as the same dynamic, they are two completely different topics. A supportive mattress will help maintain good spinal alignment during the night, while comfort deals more with preference regarding feel and firmness. If a child is not supported properly throughout their night’s rest, it can inhibit normal growth and have other negative impacts on their health.
As a child grows, it is extremely important that their mattress supports their growth. Additionally, as the child gets older, you should engage them in the purchasing process. Once your child reaches a certain age, they can typically describe their sleeping patterns, whether it’s on their back, stomach, or side. Some mattresses are better or worse suited for different sleeping positions. For example, a very soft mattress is not ideal for stomach sleepers and a super firm mattress can create pressure points and poor support for side sleepers. As you children get older and begin to develop a more consistent sleeping style these positional preferences become more important when selecting the best mattress. Best Mattress for Kids Sleepopolis recommends the following mattresses for kids. Provide room for growth Provide ideal comfort and long-lasting quality Provide exceptional support for healthy growth Provide varying feel and firmness levels (especially important for older kids who have an established sleeping style / position)
Prices below are for Full sized mattresses including any available discounts Balanced level of firmness. Available in 2 firmness levels. Good response and support.$549 Available in 3 firmness levels. Healthy materials, organic cover, natural thistle FR. Pricey, but high quality.$949Adequate support for kids. BKB Model - Medium feel. Specifically designed for kids up to 15 years old.$499Choose the Correct Size Most children transition from a crib mattress to a big bed between the ages of 2 and 3. You may opt to use your crib mattress and go straight to a toddler bed, but if you're considering longevity, it's best to focus on a twin-sized children's mattress, a twin XL or a full-sized bed. A regular twin mattress is one step up from a crib mattress. These mattresses are ideal when you're looking to save space, and they work well if you have two or more children sharing a room. A twin XL mattress is slightly longer and is more likely to accommodate a teenager's growth spurts.
A full-sized mattress is ideal for larger rooms and can sleep more than one child. This type of mattress is the same length as a standard twin-sized mattress, but it can usually accommodate a child well into adulthood. Children with allergies are often sensitive to synthetic mattresses. Synthetic mattresses can sometimes cause skin irritation, respiratory problems and other health issues. To prevent a possible reaction, choose an organic mattress or one made of natural materials, including cotton, organic wool, silk, natural latex and even bamboo. If you are unsure of the composition, read the manufacturer's label and look for any chemicals. Select the Right Support Type The most popular types of mattress support systems include innerspring coils and memory foam. Innerspring open-coil mattresses are the most common. These mattresses feature a network of connected coils that allow pressure points to sink in but provide support to keep the spine from bowing. Innerspring pocket coils feature springs that work independently from one another.
They are typically more expensive than standard innerspring coils, but they are fantastic at eliminating motion transfer. Innerspring mattresses are a good choice for children, because the weight of a child isn't enough to cause continuous stress to the coils, which can damage them and shorten the life of the mattress.Memory foam mattresses contour to the shape of the body, are hypoallergenic and last much longer than coil spring mattresses. The more expensive designs feature gel infusions that keep you cooler throughout the night. Latex mattresses are perhaps the highest quality and can last up to 30 years. Latex mattresses provide excellent support, but the cost is usually not practical for a growing child. Pick the Level of Comfort All mattresses come in extra firm, firm, plush and ultra-plush. Ultra-plush mattresses are often referred to as pillow-top or box-top mattresses. Back and side sleepers generally appreciate a firm mattress, while a medium-firm mattress is perfect for stomach sleepers.