Choosing a child’s mattress is an important decision. The best mattress for kids is not always the first one you stumble across. If you are upgrading your child from a toddler or kid bed to a bigger kids' mattress, you will want to know what mattress is the best for your child. With so many kids beds on the market, how do you choose the best mattress for your kids?
What is the Best Mattresses for Kids?
Deciding which mattress is best for kids as a parent takes proper research and planning, as well as a good understanding of your child’s specific sleep needs. Mattresses for children should foster comfort and growth while providing plenty of the quality sleep that kids need to thrive. Read on to learn how to choose the best mattress for kids, and what that entails.
Why Sleep is Important for Children
Sleep is a fundamental need for everyone, not just for kids. However, sleep is absolutely essential for kids who are still developing mentally, physically, and emotionally. Sleep impacts childrens’ moods, behaviors, ability to process information, and more.
Kids who get good sleep are more likely to be happier, understand concepts more easily, retain information and memories, have stronger immune systems, grow steadily, and do better in school.
Unfortunately, childhood sleep disorders are not uncommon. As with many adults, children can suffer from sleep problems that prevent them from getting as much sleep as they should.
Consequences When Children Don’t Get Proper Sleep
Kids require more sleep than adults in general. Without proper sleep, children have a hard time staying happy and healthy.
Additionally, they will not remember important things they learn during day-to-day life, which are crucial to developing well-rounded personalities.
Mood Issues
Just as it does in adults, improper sleep in children can lead to anxiety and depression. Mental health is critically tied to sleep. Long-term sleep problems can have a severely negative impact on a child’s mental health.
Even short-term sleep issues can lead to irritability, sensitivity, and mood swings.
Health Problems
Sufficient sleep is necessary for strong immune function. When children do not get enough sleep, their immune system can begin to falter, and they can develop illnesses. Additionally, the body’s ability to grow can be affected.
Cognitive Dysfunction
Memory loss, trouble concentrating, and confusion are all related to lack of sleep. Tasks that might normally be simple for a child can become difficult and frustrating.
Poor School Performance
Because of the aforementioned inability to focus and remember things, school performance can suffer. Without proper sleep, the brain is unable to process what is learned during the day. Pair that with an inability to concentrate and complete tasks, and grades can begin to plummet.
Is There a Difference Between Adult and Kid Mattresses?
A quality mattress for adults and a quality mattress for kids is not necessarily going to be noticeably different. Although, a child’s mattress should be tailored to a child, whereas an adult’s mattress should be tailored to an adult.
For example, a child will weigh much less than an adult. Therefore, a child’s mattress will require a different level of firmness and thickness to achieve an ideal level of comfort and support.
Sleepers who weigh less, like children and very petite adults, find thin mattresses uncomfortable because they end up feeling too firm. Therefore, a hand-me-down mattress might not be a great option for a kid’s mattress if certain comfort and support aspects are taken into account.
What to Look for in Kids’ Mattresses
With any mattress, there are a handful of essential components you want to look for. These include:
Comfort
Support
Roominess
Quality
Safety
Affordability
When it comes to a child’s mattress, you should be even pickier. A good mattress for kids should not only keep them safe and comfortable throughout the night, but it should foster growth and stability for several years.
Since children rely so heavily on sleep to learn, develop, and grow, a child’s mattress should offer the best sleep possible, and peace of mind for parents.
Comfort
Comfort is not universal. That is why there are so many different mattress types and styles available on the market today. Consider what your child specifically finds comfortable, and search for a mattress for kids that meets those criteria.
What aspects of their previous mattresses have they liked or not liked? Have they been more comfortable in a sibling’s bed, or in your bed? Consider if those mattresses played a role.
Support
Does your child have a preferred sleeping position? Side sleepers tend to like softer mattresses, while back sleepers usually want firmer mattresses. If your child does not have one usual sleeping position, and switches it up throughout the night, a balanced mattress that accommodates this sleeping style might be best.
Additionally, edge support should be a factor when choosing a mattress for a child. A mattress with strong edge support will ensure that the child does not roll out of bed by accident in the middle of the night. Comfort and support combined keep sleepers from waking up multiple times to move around the bed at night.
Temperature Control
Like adults, some kids are hot sleepers. Kids cannot regulate temperature as well as adults can. Hot sleepers will prefer a kid’s mattress that has cooling properties. Typically, an organic mattress is more breathable than a synthetic one, so this mattress type would be best for kids who are hot sleepers.
Room to Grow
The best mattress for kids is going to allow them to grow without becoming crowded too quickly. You do not want to replace a kid’s mattress within a year or two, and if there is one thing that is true of nearly every child, it is that they grow quickly. You want the mattress size to be appropriate.
Keep in mind that the smaller the kids bed is that you buy, the more quickly your child is going to outgrow it. If you purchase a kid’s mattress that is large enough, it might last your child all throughout their adolescence and teenage years.
High Quality
Naturally, the better a mattress is, the more comfortable and durable it is going to be for a kids bed. The best mattress for your kids is going to be made of healthy, high-quality materials.
Hypoallergenic
A low-maintenance mattress is a good mattress for kids beds. A hypoallergenic kid’s mattress is a great choice because you know that your child will not be sleeping on a mattress filled with irritants and allergens. Latex mattresses, for example, are organic and hypoallergenic, so they will not accumulate dust mites and other pollutants as other kids beds mattresses can.
Long-Lasting
You want to choose a kid’s mattress that is durable, and will last for several years. Otherwise, you will be back in the store purchasing another mattress before you know it.
Affordable Price Point
While you want the best for your child, you also want a mattress you can afford. The best mattress is going to be one that ticks all the boxes, while not breaking the bank. Fortunately, you can find excellent, high-quality mattresses for a kids bed at a reasonable price point.
What Types of Mattresses are Best for Kids?
There are several different mattress types you will come across while looking for a kids mattress. You will find that not all mattress types are created equally. While some types of mattresses are organic, natural, and comfortable, others are synthetic, and contain questionable compounds, making them less than ideal for kids beds.
Innerspring Mattress
This type of mattress has a base layer of springs with a thin comfort layer of either fiber or foam. A mattress with innersprings is what you might think of when you imagine the older style of mattress. It is most affordable, but it does not offer a very thick comfort layer.
If your child is used to sleeping on this kind of firm mattress, however, they might find it comfortable, and have no issue with it.
If buying an organic mattress is important to you, innerspring is not the way to go. Another drawback of this mattress type is that it is not long-lasting.
Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam mattresses are often delivered as a bed in a box. They contour the body, and offer lots of support and pressure relief. Memory foam mattresses are very popular, especially when pressure relief is a top priority. Kids who sleep on memory foam might enjoy the hugging sensation, if they prefer the feeling of being surrounded by material.
However, kids who sleep hot might not like memory foam because it is not breathable. Bed in a box foam mattresses tend to trap heat against the body, and cause sleepers to sleep hotter. Additionally, memory foam mattresses are not organic or natural.
Latex Mattress
Latex is an organic mattress type that is all-natural, and created from the sap of the rubber tree. If you want to purchase an organic mattress for your child, a latex mattress is a great choice. Mattresses made of natural latex are breathable for hot sleepers, and come in a variety of firmness levels.
Latex mattresses last for a very long time, making them one of the best mattresses for kids. If you are looking to buy a mattress for your child that you will not have to replace, latex is the way to go.
Hybrid Mattress
A hybrid mattress typically includes coils like innerspring mattresses, but also includes other materials like foam or latex to add additional comfort. Like memory foam mattresses, they can be shipped as a bed in a box.
What are the Best Mattress Sizes for Kids?
You can buy a mattress for kids in whatever size you choose. However, The best kids mattress is going to be one that allows your child to grow comfortably with plenty of room.
It is most common to choose a mattress size from one of the following:
Twin
Twin XL
Full
Let’s look at each size in more detail.
Twin Mattress
A twin size mattress is the smallest mattress size that you can buy, but it is usually big enough for most children, depending on how old they are. The problem with buying a twin mattress is that your child is likely to outgrow a twin mattress before they reach adulthood.
It is possible for a teenager to sleep on a twin mattress, but it is unlikely that they will find it comfortable.
Twin XL Mattress
A twin XL size mattress is similar to a twin mattress, but it is longer. Twin XL mattresses are a good size if you have an especially tall child. Again, your child might outgrow a twin XL size mattress because it is the same width as a twin mattress.
Full Mattress
A full-size mattress is wider than a twin XL mattress. It is one mattress size below a queen-size mattress. Therefore, a bed of this size will likely last throughout all of childhood if need be.
What Is the Best Mattress Firmness for Kids?
How firm a mattress for kids depends on several factors. A child’s weight and how much support they need will play a role in how firm a mattress should be. A firm mattress for kids will provide pressure relief, but a soft mattress will provide more cushion for a pillowy sleep experience.
A mattress for kids who sleep on their backs and stomachs will need to support their spine and midsections. On the other hand, a mattress for kids who sleep on their side does not need to be as firm or supportive.
What are the Best Accessories for a Kid’s Mattress?
Pillows
Comfortable, breathable, hypoallergenic pillows will allow your child to sleep soundly throughout the night, and give you peace of mind.
Bedding
Similar to pillows and mattresses, hypoallergenic bedding can prevent the accumulation of pollutants and allergens, and keep your child healthy.
Mattress Protectors and Pads
Waterproof mattress protectors and pads protect your child’s mattress from accidents in the night, and are easily washable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mattresses for Children
If you still have questions about what kids mattress is the best choice for your child, check out the FAQs below.
How Much Does a Mattress for Kids Cost?
As with any mattress, mattresses for kids vary in price. Typically, the best mattresses for kids can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000, depending on what type of mattress, and what size of mattress you choose to buy.
Remember that you can save money by buying a budget mattress, but you will likely be replacing it within a couple of years. Whereas, if you buy a high-quality type of mattress, such as a mattress made of natural latex, you will be paying more, but you will only need to buy one.
Do Children Need Pressure Relief?
Children can benefit from the pressure relief that memory foam and latex mattresses provide. While children do not have the typical aches and pains that older adults do, a mattress for kids that provide pressure relief can still benefit children by keeping their spines aligned, and supporting their joints.
What Mattress Type is Safest for Children?
Natural latex mattresses are organic and completely safe for your child and your entire family. Innerspring, memory foam bed in a box, and synthetic latex mattresses, on the other hand, are made of unnatural chemicals, and undergo an “ off-gassing” process once you get them inside your home, where volatile organic compounds are released into the air. This makes these types not the best mattresses for kids compared to a natural latex mattress.
Natural latex mattresses are the safest and healthiest type of mattress for you, your child, and the environment.
Sleep Tips for Children
Here are some sleep tips for kids that may be helpful for your children.
Follow a Regular Sleep Routine
Going to bed and waking up at the same time can train a person’s body to sleep better.
Eliminate Light and Noise
Ensure your child’s sleep environment is free of distracting noise and light that could keep them awake at night.
Avoid Overeating at Bedtime
Overloading carbs too close to bedtime could cause bad dreams and sleep disruptions.
Avoid Caffeine
Caffeine can keep children awake at night, and it should be avoided.
Get Plenty of Physical Exercise
When children exercise during the day, they will be naturally worn out at nighttime, and will be more likely to fall asleep.
Get Exposure to Natural Sunlight
Natural light from the sun halts melatonin production, and increases energy levels, which will allow a child to become sleepy when it is time for bed at night.
Wind Down Before Bedtime
Turn off TVs, phones, and video games at least an hour before bedtime to allow your child’s mind to wind down from screen time.
Create a Worry-Free Sleep Environment
Make sure your child is not afraid of the dark or nervous about anything at bedtime, as this could keep them up at night.
Keep the Bedroom Cool
People sleep better in cool temperatures, so make sure your child’s room is not hot or stuffy at night.
Key Features of Latex For Less Mattresses
Latex For Less all-natural latex mattresses offer organic, natural comfort that people of all ages will love. They are not only healthy and free of synthetic chemicals and harsh substances, but they are luxurious and supportive.
Latex For Less mattresses include:
100% natural latex
100% organic cotton
100% natural wool
These materials combine to create soft, breathable sleep surfaces.
Additionally, each Latex For Less all-natural latex mattress has a two-in-one design with two different firmness options, meaning it is a flippable mattress. The medium side contains 100 percent natural Talalay latex, while the firmer side contains 100 percent natural Dunlop latex.
Why Choose Latex For Less?
Latex For Less mattresses and mattress toppers are natural, safe, and sustainable. Unlike other mattress types, latex mattresses do not contain harmful compounds that will affect sleepers or their environment. In fact, the company’s materials are made with GOTS-certified cotton and OEKO-TEX-certified latex, ensuring their purity.
Additionally, Latex For Less offers sleepers a 120-night commitment-free sleep trial. If you are not completely satisfied with your Latex For Less mattress after your trial is completed, the company will pick up the mattress for your convenience.
The Latex For Less all-natural latex is handcrafted in the USA from high-quality, durable materials, and it is built to last. Latex For Less backs its products with a 20-year warranty, so customers can feel secure in their purchases.
