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.$499 EverTrue™ Elite Twin Mattress The EverTrue™ Elite Twin is a 7.5" thick, twin size mattress, features an open cell,... View full product details → EverTrue™ Grand Twin Mattress The EverTrue™ Grand Twin is a 7.5" thick, twin size, eco-friendlier foam, children’s' mattress designed... EverTrue™ Hush Twin Mattress The EverTrue™Hush Twin is a 6" thick, full size, lightweight, single firmness children's mattress made... EverTrue™ Serene Twin Mattress The EverTrue™ Serene Twin is a 7”, twin size, eco friendlier foam, children’s' mattress designed...
View full product details →We’re not going to lie. Watching your little one peacefully snoozing in her crib, all angel-faced and cuddly, is one of the greatest pleasures of parenting. Whether you use a crib from day one or transition your baby into the crib later, you’ll be sure to get years of use of it, and even longer if the crib converts to a bed. In addition to a bassinet, using a crib is the safest place for your baby to sleep. It’s important to follow crib safety guidelines, no matter which brand you select. The space should be free and clear of stuffed animals, toys, bumpers, and blankets that can become suffocating hazards. Once you’ve got your crib setup, you can add a cute fitted sheet over the mattress and call it done. If you’re purchasing a crib brand new, it will automatically comply with current safety standards. It’s a whole other story though when looking at used models. You’ll want to check for recalls and make sure your crib was made after 2011.
Also, avoid cribs with drop-down sides (since 2007, seven million of these types of cribs have been recalled). You’ll also want to make sure the crib you select has at least a few adjustable mattress settings (allowing you to lower or raise the mattress). When your child is an infant, you’ll want a higher mattress that allows you to easily scoop them up; but as your baby grows, you should lower the mattress so he or she can’t climb out. Although there are still regular cribs on the market, many these days convert to a toddler bed and some later turn into a standard size bed frame (usually a double bed) as well. Some convertible cribs do require conversion kits to morph into different setups and those can be included with your crib purchase or an additional cost. Mattresses are also sold separately from cribs. Some families prefer to just use a mini crib (larger than a bassinet, but smaller and usually more portable than a standard crib) throughout babyhood before transitioning their child straight to a full-sized bed;
this is handy if baby tends to sleep in multiple locations or if you have limited spaces. Although you can use a crib for your baby from the get-go, many parents choose to have their newborns sleep in bassinets or co-sleepers, but typically transition their babies’ to a crib after three to four months. Even if you don’t plan on using a crib right away, consider putting one on your registry since it’s an expensive item that friends and family may want to pitch in to get for you. Depending on your child’s weight and height, you could use a crib until he is four or five years old. However, parents usually move their children into toddler or twin beds around two to three years old. But, if your kiddo is a climber, you’ll likely make the change sooner because of safety concerns. We asked thousands of real BabyList families about the baby products they love the most. We took the top cribs they shared with us and added our own research and insight. We think you and your little one will love at least one of these items, too.
BARGAIN BUYIKEA Sniglar CribWHY WE LOVE IT This simple, low-priced crib comes unfinished so you can paint it any color you want (if you’re up for it!). And, surprisingly, even at this price point you can still use it for a toddler if you move the mattress to the lowest setting and remove one side (so one side will be entirely open - no toddler rail to keep a child from falling out). “I love the simple Scandinavian style.” To prevent this crib from tipping over, it must be permanently fixed to the wall. WHAT BABYLIST PARENTS SAY “The Sniglar is affordable, light colored and bright! And I love the simple Scandinavian style.” -Caitlin D. “The Sniglar is inexpensive, good quality and has a slim profile. I needed to fit two in the same room for our twins.” -C.M. As crib until child weighs 50 lbs. Yes, converts to a toddler bed with included conversion kit. Two adjustable mattress levels. VINTAGE THROWBACK DaVinci Jenny Lind 3-in-1 Convertible Crib
WHY WE LOVE IT This sweet crib features intricate, traditional-style spindles on silver wheels so you can move it around or lock it in place. The surprisingly small price tag for such a find! While the name implies it can convert to three different configurations, there is really only two you can do without need to make an additional purchase. Either use it as a crib, or remove one side and set the mattress to the lowest level for a toddler-like daybed (but one side will be entirely open - if you want a toddler rail to keep your child from falling out, you’ll need to purchase the toddler bed conversion kit). “We are planning to move in the next year and we also have the nursery on the second floor. So we needed a crib that was easy to carry upstairs, assemble/disassemble and will be easy to take it with us to a new house. I also think the DaVinci crib looks really nice and classic.” -Amanda K. As crib until child begins to climb or reaches 35 inches; as a toddler bed until child weighs 50 lbs.
Yes, toddler bed conversion kit sold separately ($61.95). Four adjustable mattress levels. MOD FAVORITEBabyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib WHY WE LOVE IT This popular pick boasts sleek, but substantial good looks and it’s lower profile makes it easier for shorter folks to reach over into the crib. “modern looking yet timeless” If you’d like to use a crib skirt, parents report that a standard one doesn’t fit the Hudson due to angled metal brackets that support the frame. However, you can purchase crib skirts from Babyletto ($39). “We chose the Hudson because it’s modern looking yet timeless (seriously, why do all of the cribs these days look like the same style?), had as many adjustable settings as possible, was durable, and could be converted to a toddler bed.” -Lauren R.as toddler bed until child weighs 50 lbs. Yes, converts to toddler bed and daybed with included conversion kit. LONG-LASTING CLASSICPottery Barn Kids Kendall Crib WHY WE LOVE IT
With craftsman styling and solid wood, the Kendall is a sturdy, traditional pick that’ll hold up through an entire brood. The Kendall is pricier and only converts to toddler bed, not a daybed or full size bed as others do. “I wanted a white wooden crib and this one was very similar to what I envisioned. I read that it was Pottery Barn’s best selling crib, and it was a reasonable cost…We picked it up the next weekend and it was assembled in under 30 minutes. We have loved it!” -Sara P. Until child begins to climb or reaches 35 inches. Yes, converts to a toddler bed with conversion kit sold separately ($129). Three adjustable mattress levels. BUDGET SAVVY SELECTIONIKEA Gulliver CribWHY WE LOVE IT This lightweight, painted white crib is an economical choice and can also be used as a toddler daybed (like the IKEA Sniglar crib, one side would be rail-free). Like the IKEA Sniglar crib, the Gulliver also needs to be permanently fixed to the wall to prevent it from tipping over.
“Loved the sleek style and affordability. And, it was very easy to assemble.” -E. H. Until child weighs 50 lbs. SPLURGEWORTHY MULTI-TASKERStokke Sleepi CribWHY WE LOVE IT Although costly, the Sleepi crib has a 7-year guarantee on all wooden parts and can grow with your child up to 10 years old. It can transform into a bassinet (conversion kit sold separately), a toddler bed, and then into a junior bed with the purchase of a conversion kit. Or, after the toddler years, you can switch it over to a set of chairs for the playroom. The big bummer about the Sleepi is that you’re forced to purchase the mattress and sheets from Stokke because of the unique oval shape of the crib. “We love the way it grows from a bassinet to crib to bed to chairs. I also love the mattress! It’s firm and comfy and very thick. I’d sleep in it if I could!” -Marielle G. As crib until 3 years old; as toddler bed until 7 years old. Yes, converts to toddler bed and two chairs with no additional hardware.