Our children seem to grow up so fast, and they certainly keep us busy – one minute we’re wanting to organize the perfect party and the next we’re kitting them out for university.
Buying a Mattress for Your Kids
Two things that are important for kids are their bed and the quality of their sleep – in fact, one affects the other. Perhaps you are looking for a new child’s mattress at the moment but are wanting some extra guidance. This article will help you find the perfect mattress for your sons or daughters.
Get The Right Size
The mattress needs to be appropriate for the age and weight of your child. When you buy a mattress for your toddler, a crib mattress should fit snugly in the crib. This is so that the baby can’t move it around too much or fall out of bed. It shouldn’t be larger than 28 inches by 52 inches (the standard size).
Bed Frame Sizes
You need to buy a mattress that fits the existing bed frame unless you are buying both from new. If you go with a twin-size, keep in mind that even if he/she is not yet ready to climb over the side rails or get stuck between them, there will still be plenty of room to roll into dangerous areas during sleep time.
Room Size
Make sure the bed will suit the room size, not swallowing up all of the potential space for your child to run around in. Children get bigger all the time, so you should look for mattresses that are made to last at least 10 years, and the size should be at least six inches taller than them.
The internet can help you find a mattress that is tailored to your child’s needs. You can select the bed sizes when you buy, and they often range from single to twin, twin XL, full, queen, king or California king. Before you purchase you can also view the products and photos so that you make an informed choice.
Understand The Different Options
You need to consider whether your child is a front, back or side sleeper. Mattresses come made from different materials and also feature different firmness and thickness levels. You can find the different options on any website selling mattresses for kids, and they include:
Innerspring Mattresses
This is a regular mattress and it comes with different coil counts, which are the levels of quality that define how soft or firm it feels. The higher the number, the more durable and comfortable it gets (while also adding to its price tag). The great advantage here is that being longsuffering, it will cope with bouncing children and more.
Pocketed Coils
They allow for better support while ensuring proper cushioning, due to the raised pattern on top. If your kid tends to move around a lot during sleep this may be less comfortable for them.
Memory Foam
This material can mold around a person’s body and then return to its original state. Whilst they are durable, they don’t always provide sufficient support for larger kids, and they also heat up as the night progresses.
Latex
They tend to be thicker, but they also come with different firmness levels. They provide great support regardless of the position your kid sleeps in. These mattresses tend to be very comfortable but they can easily get stained by spills which means you will need to clean them regularly. Also, the latex foam itself does not provide good ventilation, so your kid might end up sweating at night if this mattress has no cooling gel added on top.
Hybrid Mattresses
They combine different materials into one product in order to deliver an enhanced level of comfort and long-lasting use.
Think About Storage
If space is limited and you have more than one child in the room, bunk beds might be the best choice.
You can also buy beds that have storage below the mattress. This can be a great place to keep bedding or children’s toys, keeping the bedroom more tidy.
Put Safety First
Get rid of old mattresses as soon as possible because they can harbor harmful bacteria such as staphylococcus and E Coli which can lead to illness and infection. You should choose a mattress with fire-resistant materials and fitted sheets to avoid suffocation accidents. Make sure there are no sharp corners or edges that could harm your child either.
Height
Consider the height of the bed frame before purchasing any mattresses. It’s important that your child can get safely in and out, and you won’t want them falling out during the night and getting hurt. If your child is going to be sleeping on the top bunk, you also need to be aware of the potential risks.
Damp
Bedwetting can be an issue for some children, even as they get older (e.g. during times of anxiety and stress). In this scenario, you should look for bedding with waterproofing and washable surfaces. This will help ensure that you can easily clean up any accidents and prevent skin allergies from physical contact with dirty sheets.
Think About Allergies And Respiratory Issues
Childhood asthma rates have been on the rise for years, but fortunately there are hypoallergenic mattresses you can buy that are not too expensive. Some mattresses have a removable cover that can be washed at home to prevent dust mites from growing in it and causing your child allergies or asthma flareups. You may also want to buy an allergy protector for your pillowcase and sheets.
Natural latex foam is naturally resistant to mold, mildew and fungus so it wouldn’t expose your kid’s delicate immune system to the harmful chemicals found in most traditional mattresses.
Whilst your budget will be a key consideration when you purchase your child’s mattress, it’s important not to hold back. Once you’ve made your purchase, remember that mattresses need time to “break-in” before they are truly comfortable. If you choose well, you will have invested in your child’s health and comfort for many years to come.