Buying Guide to Kids Mattress

Children need 12 hours of sleep every night for the best cognitive, mental, and overall development. Kids also spend a lot of time playing or relaxing on their beds, making the mattress a vital component. That means you must know how to choose a kids’ mattress to enhance comfort and maximize usability. The availability of numerous mattress options makes purchase decisions challenging. However, you can simplify the process by prioritizing your child’s needs when sorting through children’s mattress recommendations. You also need to know all the essential considerations, such as the most suitable mattress firmness for a child according to the required support or comfort level, and on top of that when is the mattress sale in Toronto so that you could also get the best mattress for your kid for the best price.

So, what kind of mattress is best for a child? The guide below covers all the necessary components you need for the decision-making process.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Mattress For Your Kids

Kids need restorative sleep that enables healthy development. Only a quality mattress can provide that. However, their growth process can make that impossible because you may not buy a new mattress yearly as they outgrow them. The best option is learning how to pick a mattress for a child.

One of the key considerations to keep in mind is that a bed serves multiple purposes for children. They sleep on mattresses, play on their beds, do homework, eat, relax, and jump on them. That means the mattress you buy should have features that enable it to withstand that pressure without compromising its durability. Relevant factors to consider include firmness, manufacturing technique, and material. Additional factors to consider include size, the sturdiness of the structure, and safety. Relevant questions to ask include:

• Are all the components safe for children?
• Are there sections that could loosen and pose safety hazards, like buttons?
• Can children suffocate on mattresses?
• Is the mattress easy to clean for maintenance?

Remember, a good mattress can serve your child for at least 7 to 8 years. Below are further details about those considerations.

Child Mattress Size

Child bed mattress size can be standard according to age. Thus, the ability to categorize them depending on their ages is the first step to choosing a suitable mattress. For instance, 28 by 52-inch width and length mattresses are usually ideal for cribs, meaning they suit newborn babies up to three-year-old. Toddlers and children younger than eight can use 38 by 75 – inch width and length mattresses. Older children can use standard twin foam mattresses, but some may require extra support that XL mattresses measuring 38 inches wide by 80 inches long provide.

Teenagers can use full-size mattresses measuring 53 by 75 inches in width and length. The sizes may not all fit your child, so prioritize their needs and comfort.

Mattress Firmness for a Child

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to mattress firmness for children. The child’s weight and age are the main determining factors. So do kids need firm or soft mattresses?

Babies require a firm mattress with tight-fitting covers and pillows because they are more susceptible to suffocation. Older children can sleep on less firm mattresses depending on the support they need for their spines and necks, so long as the mattress structure is not too squishy to hinder peaceful sleep.

How do you determine what kind of mattress firmness is best for kids? Knowing how to match the Indentation Load Deflection to the child’s weight is critical in choosing the perfect firmness. Typically, medium firmness is suitable for kids between 25 to 31 pounds; plush mattresses are ideal for less than 25 pounds, while firm mattresses are perfect for over 31 pounds.

You can also buy mattresses with adjustable firmness that your child can use for an extended period. Pay attention to your child, especially when they complain about neck or back pain – the mattress may not have the correct firmness for them.

Child’s Age

Babies, toddlers, teenagers, and older children have different requirements regarding their sleeping areas. For example, babies need thicker mattresses, small enough to fit a crib and easy to clean, while teenagers require full-sized mattresses for sizeable beds that can last them throughout their teenage years. Toddlers can use the same-size mattresses for babies, but the firmness should differ with moisture-repellent features. Remember, the child’s age can limit your mattress choices because it determines the usability and durability of the mattress. You must review how long you intend to keep the mattress, whether the child is still experiencing growth spurts, and if they will share the bed with their sibling. There is also the possibility of cuddling or co-sleeping with the child until they fall asleep if they are younger. All these factors, alongside the child’s sleeping patterns and other components like bed wetting, influence how long the mattress remains in good condition.

Allergies or Specific Medical Conditions

The best children’s mattresses are organic or natural ones made of bamboo, cotton, and organic wool, especially for children with allergic issues. Avoid mattress alternatives with chemical infusions or synthetic components that can cause allergic reactions. Finding organic mattresses is easy because many manufacturers add allergen-resistant or antimicrobial elements to the materials. Pay attention to additions like copper, titanium, charcoal, silver, and essential oils.

Other medical conditions like asthma, scoliosis, sleep apnea, and musculoskeletal diseases can also interfere with a child’s sleep. The more the child fails to get quality deep sleep, the higher the chances of symptoms or conditions worsening. A good mattress is essential for such children because it can improve their restfulness. You can consider waterbeds or latex mattresses for kids with sleep apnea. Adjustable mattress options can also be better because you can change the firmness for more comfort.

Remember, the benefits of organic mattresses transcend medical conditions or allergic reactions. They prevent bacteria growth, making them safer regardless of whether the child has a pre-existing medical condition or not. Your child can enjoy peaceful nights without worrying about exposure to harmful chemicals.

Child Mattress' Support

A supportive mattress has many advantages – it ensures proper spinal alignment, distributes body weight evenly on the surface and reduces pressure. The material of choice and formation of a mattress determines the support structure. Memory foam mattresses tend to have a higher density for more support, even though the child can sink in them. They are better for promoting spinal alignment.

Latex mattresses are also supportive, but denser ones may not serve. They lack innerspring, but multiple latex layers can provide support irrespective of the sleeping position.

Mattresses with steel coils have a higher support quality, but they wear off faster than the other types and are better for specific purposes. Their support structure is targeted and can last longer when kids use them.

Mattress Durability

The average longevity of mattresses for kids ranges between 7 to 8 years, like adult mattresses, but that does not mean you should understate the fundamentality of durability.

The type and quality of materials used to make the mattress are the main determinants of longevity, so you should consider them carefully when shopping. Always check the specifications on the labels as you pay attention to additional elements like chemicals that can impact sleep quality. Focus on foam density to confirm quality and the expected lifespan. That information can help you estimate your next purchase period.

Are There Any Common Sleep Complaints?

Your Child Tends to Wet the Bed

Almost all children wet the bed - preparing for such occurrences is the best move. That is why a water-repellent mattress is more suitable for younger kids if you want to extend its lifespan.

The protection ensures the mattress does not get spoilt sooner while relieving your child of embarrassment. The child receives uninterrupted sleep and wakes up clean, and you can easily remove the cover to wash. Removable covers are the most suitable solution if your child wets the bed occasionally or regularly.

Your Kid Fidget Every Now and Then

Fidgeting may not seem like a big deal initially, but it can impact a child’s sleep. They can wake up in the middle of the night as they fidget, but you can reduce the chances of that happening by investing in a mattress with shock absorption and body weight distribution features.

An example of a good mattress is a pocket-sprung one with springs for independent support. Memory mattresses can also mitigate fidgeting by providing the required comfort and support – they may sink in but bounce back, making them fun for children.

Your Kids Overheat From Time to Time

Some children get hot at night due to various factors such as weather, fidgeting, or tossing and turning while dreaming. If your child experiences such temperature fluctuations, you can swap their mattress with one that has cooling or temperature-regulating qualities. Gel mattresses are the most popular option for cooling because of their make and inner components. Alternatively, you can buy a natural mattress with temperature-regulating material like cotton or wool. Compare various options and pick one according to the needs of the child. The mattresses are only suitable for kids five years or older.

So Which Mattress is Best For a Kid After All?

Most parents favour innerspring mattresses for kids, but the other options also have advantages that can promote your child’s well-being. Personal factors like the child’s sleeping patterns or style, preference, and possible conditions like respiratory issues determine the best mattress for a kid. Consider the distinctive features of each mattress type when looking for the most suitable one. You can also factor in where the child sleeps in your decision. For instance, elevated platforms like bunk beds require different mattresses that do not pose a hazard to the child - they should fit the bed snugly to prevent falls. Compare the pros and cons of the mattress you want before buying.

Mattress Type	PROS	CONS
Natural	Sustainable sourcing of the materials, making them better for the environment. Antibacterial and temperature-regulating properties make them perfect for children experiencing issues like allergies or overheating.	They cost more compared to other mattresses.
Air Beds	High durability. Allergen-resistant properties. Adjustable firmness.	Kids cannot adjust to them on their own. The mattress can become less firm during the night. High costs.
Memory Foam	They have a longer lifespan. They can sink in to provide a hugging feeling and support. They are more affordable.	They can become too warm. Chest compressions can be excessive.
Latex	They contain allergen-resistant properties. Great support for spinal and body alignment – moulds into the child’s sleeping shape. They have extensive durability.	A unique feel may not be suitable for every child. It is not ideal for kids with latex allergies. It may not be easy to turn due to the weight.
Pocket Spring	They have a distinctive make for specific users. Can provide support at specific points where you need it.	They do not have an extra feeling, meaning you do not get the luxurious feel most mattresses have.
Hybrid	The mattress structure provides steady and continuous support. The mattresses can last long. They are responsive.	They are not suitable for younger children because of their high profile. They are costlier.
Waterbeds	The most affordable mattress option. Can maintain the correct body posture. Do not have any noise or disturbance. Have allergen-resistance qualities.	They can be too cold. Can leak. Regular maintenance is mandatory. Fungi or odour can develop.
Innerspring	It has a supportive construction that maintains spinal alignment. It is affordable.	They can be noisy. They can lose their sturdiness and sag quickly. Coils can become exposed.
Gel	The best option for overheating – has a gel cooling layer that regulates temperature.	The cooling effect is not permanent and can wear off with time.