You can rest easy when you buy one of our children's mattresses; we've teamed up with experienced, UK based mattress makers to bring you all the comfort and choice your kids need. But buying a mattress for a child is an important investment; it's a decision that affects your sleep as much as theirs after all, and it's not something you do often, so it's likely to be hindered by unfamiliar jargon and a multitude of confusing options. We hope this guide and glossary help you make your decision. For adults and children alike, the most comfortable and healthy sleep position is with a straight spine; this means we need a supportive mattress. A supportive mattress is a responsive mattress, that can adapt to all the curvy (or not-so-curvy) parts of the body, whether it's the shoulders, hips, waist or head. Yes, it is even more important for children's mattresses to be supportive. So that's your watch word when it comes to choosing a mattress for kids; it's not about being firm, or soft, it's about being supportive.
Mattresses are made up of an inner support core (consisting of metal bed springs), various comfort layers and then an outer cover. The level of support offered depends on the type of sprung core and the comfort layers: the sprung core varies according to the spring count, and whether they are of open coil or pocket sprung construction (see our glossary for more help). The thickness and softness of the comfort layers is also important.Bunk beds and raised beds often require a mattress with a maximum depth of 15cm, which may narrow down your options; you will find this information in the product details of your preferred bed. Yes there is a standard UK size, but there is also a longer European standard size; this information will be in the product details of your preferred bed and will narrow down your options. Our "Classic" children's mattresses are all open coil mattresses, offering a very good level of comfort: choose from the Sennen Standard Single or the Pembroke European Single.
Pocket sprung mattresses make up our "Premium" range, offering superior comfort with individual springs that move in unison with your child's body shape and weight. Choose from the Seaview Standard Single, the Perranporth Standard Single or the Bembridge European Single; for toddler beds we offer the Pelynt Toddler mattress. Our Premium Plus mattress (the Lulworth) offers pocket sprung construction, top loaded with extra padding and a Cool Max cover. We also offer two truckle bed mattresses, the Skye Truckle Mattress and the Cove Truckle Mattress (for the Harbour truckle only). Yes, you will find our mattress recommendations in the product details for each bed. You may also find our mattress glossary helpful. Failing that, do give us a call: we're always happy to help. Comfort layer: In general, the higher the density or thickness of the layer, the greater the comfort. It consists of soft, white polyester fibres and some layers of foam, positioned on either side of the sprung, inner core.
In a shallower mattress such as a truckle, the foam layers may be loaded onto one side to make it more comfortable, as in our Skye Truckle Mattress. Cool Max: a unique, high tech fabric which actually wicks moisture away from your child, to help prevent overheating and clamminess; a Cool Max cover is a feature on our Lulworth Premium Plus mattress. European size: this refers to the longer length beds & mattresses frequently found on the continent. These mattresses measure 200L x 90W (cm); the depth will vary according to type of bed (see Mattress Depth). Some of our beds require these longer mattresses; please check the individual bed description to find out. Framed: this means a rigid frame has been fitted around the mattress layers to prevent sagging at the sides. All GLTC mattresses are framed, apart from our Truckle mattresses. Hand tufting: a traditional technique of fixing all the layers of the bed. This is when the comfort layers stacked on top of the mattress are held in place by a pattern of tufts, which are attached to the inner core;
it gives a quilted look and indicates a superior comfort level, as the more filling a mattress has the more it needs hand tufting. This is only used on our Pocket Sprung mattresses. Hypoallergenic: the mattress components have been chosen to lessen the chance of an allergic reaction; there is no anti-allergy finish however. Mattress depth: mattresses vary in depth due to the size of their springs and the depth of their comfort layers. Bunk and cabin beds will require a shallower mattress for safety reasons, truckle mattresses are shallower in order to fit neatly into the truckle drawer. Please take note of our recommendations on the appropriate depth mattress your bed requires, which can be found in the product details. Non-turn: you can prolong the life of some mattresses by turning it over and spreading the wear. However some of our mattresses do not require this due to their superior construction and top loaded comfort layers. They can however be rotated to extend their durability.
Open coil: coiled springs make up the durable, inner core of your mattress. Open coil springs are linked together, so that if one spring is compressed, the adjacent one will react too - think of a domino effect. An open coil mattress is a supportive mattress, but less so than a pocket sprung one. All our Open coil mattresses are part of our "Classic" range. Pocket sprung: this means that the springs at the core of your mattress are individually wrapped or "pocketed"; they therefore move independently of one another, allowing the mattress to contour more exactly to your child's shape and weight. This means they will have a more supportive reaction to your child's body than an open coil mattress. All our pocket sprung mattresses are part of our "Premium" and "Premium Plus" range. Spring count: in general the more springs in a mattress, the better it can react to the unique contours of your child. You will find more springs in a pocket sprung mattress than in an open coil mattress.
Standard UK size: this is the typical size of beds & mattresses in the UK. These mattresses measure 190L x 90W (cm); the depth will vary according to type of bed (see Mattress Depth). Toddler mattress: our toddler mattresses are a smaller size to suit our Toddler Beds. Both measure 140H x 70W (cm), and feature a breathable, washable Ventiflow cover; the pocket sprung construction ensures maximum comfort. Turning: manufacturers often advise flipping your mattress over to spread the wear and therefore prolong the life of your mattress; mattresses that do not require turning are of an equally high quality but are more convenient (however they can be rotated to help extend their life, see Non-turn). Truckle mattress: a shallower mattress, specifically designed for truckle drawers. Due to their shallower depth and their less frequent use, they frequently use an open coil construction rather than the more durable and sensitive pocket sprung system. They do not require a frame.