Best Mattress For Children [Review] in 2021

Picking a mattress for children is HARD

Children can be tough customers, what applies when looking for a mattress for an adult, may not necessarily apply when looking for a child’s mattress. Various factors come into play, such as the age of the child, and if the child has any special needs. Sometimes life can throw you a curveball and all of a sudden, your child needs a specialized mattress. It can be a daunting task but you have to be your child’s hero and give him or her the comfortable sleep they really deserve.

Remember you are buying a mattress for someone who is still growing. This means that you have to consider the change in height and weight and preference as well. If you are buying a mattress for an eight-year-old for example, you know you will probably have to change it by the time he or she is twelve. Depending on how long you intend to keep the mattress for, this will be a very important factor to consider. Another factor you may have to consider is how to handle “accidents”. Children will be children and accidents will happen, depending on the age of the child of course. This means asking questions like, how easy is it to clean, and does it come with a removable cover, will be imperative.

We explore the different children’s mattresses that are available on the market. One of our favourite picks is the Graco Premium Foam Crib & Toddler Bed Mattress. It’s super lightweight design makes it easy to handle and provides the right amount of firmness for an infant.

Best Mattress For Children – Buyers Guide

Your child deserves the very best right? So it only follows that you get an expert opinion and one that matters at that. There are so many products being pushed at you to buy for your child. If you are a new parent, or you are shopping for a child whose needs you are not particularly familiar with all the options on the market can seem overwhelming. Do you go for something “cute” or functional? Children’s beds come in different shapes and frames. A lot of unconventional ones at that, but the mattress is not always the focal point. In light of this you will want to check it, and also know what to look for.

How durable is the mattress?

Check on the strength of the mattress.  Remember the person you are buying this mattress for, will probably not be sliding into bed (we all jumped on our beds at some point as children). Nighttime snacks also tend to find their way into children’s beds and will obviously spill. Also, you want a mattress that can withstand all the times your child’s friends come over and all sit on the bed. In as much as you may think you have rules, but you can not keep an eye on your child’s furniture all the time. Accidents, explorations, games and jumping on the bed, will be a part of your child’s time in their room, all in good fun, but hard on the mattress. Make sure the mattress is durable and can weather your child’s phases. You also need to keep in mind, how long you intend on keeping the mattress. This will help in deciphering what is acceptable in terms of durability.

Protect the mattress.

Accidents on children’s beds of any sort are pretty much unavoidable. Instead of crying over spilt milk, you would rather anticipate them, and get a mattress cover. This will protect the mattress and also preserve it, meaning you will have it for longer.

What is the warranty on the mattress given by the manufacturer?

Check what type of warranty that mattress covers and understand the terms as well. Since the owner of the new mattress is a child, and not you, you are not entirely in control of how it will be kept. You need to know what would qualify you to return the mattress should anything arise, and what would disqualify you.

What frame are you buying the mattress for?

Children’s beds are available in different shapes and sizes. You may be buying the mattress for a cartoon character bed, or you may be buying it for a bunk bed, either way, you will need to know a couple of things before committing. If you are buying a mattress for a bunk bed, there are standard sizes and weights that you will need to get. You will need to make sure you get a mattress that is not too thick ( lest you find yourself falling over the top bunk rails at night). Get a mattress that is about six to ten inches thick, give or take.

Ask about the material that has gone into making the mattress. Gel mattresses are usually quite comfortable and also pretty lightweight. You can also get children’s mattresses in standard spring also known as the open coil. These work as one unit, spreading your child’s weight across the mattress. It provides excellent back support and spine alignment. Pocket sprung mattresses, have individually wrapped coils. This type of construction allows the mattress to respond more efficiently to your child’s movement and body weight.

Most folks ask about memory foam mattresses for their children. I am sure you have seen these more than most, as they go a long way back. There are reasons they are so popular as there are also reasons why people would use other mattress types. Memory foam hugs your child. It has a contouring effect and this helps reduce how much your child will toss and turn throughout the night. Memory foam is a comfortable choice and adapts to the child’s sleeping positions. It is not a toddler’s mattress, however, a child above that age will be able to enjoy a good night’s sleep on it. Make sure the memory foam mattress has enough support for your children back and spine alignment. Your child is still growing, so you need to encourage healthy growth and development in every way possible.

Children’s mattresses can also be found in natural materials such as latex. This material is naturally hypoallergenic and it is breathable so you know it won’t sleep hot, and regardless of your child’s allergies, it won’t disturb your child’s sleep. If your child generally sweats at night, this type of mattress has got to be at the top of your list.

Another mattress type available for children is the reflex foam mattresses. The foam is solid and it gives amazing support for growing children. If you are on the fence about what te of mattress to get, then a hybrid mattress may be an excellent choice. It gives you the best of innerspring (which is the support you get) and the comfort of memory foam.

What firmness is best for a child.

A baby, up to about 18months, requires a firm mattress to keep the back supported properly and spine aligned right. As the child gets older and moves from the crib to a bed, firmness is still an important factor, however, it is now more determined by personal preference rather than by what is the norm. Just lie with adults, a child has their own preference. Take him or her in-store to shop for the mattress. Let the child decide what firmness level works for them.

What is it going to cost you?

Children between the ages of three and five need up to thirteen hours of sleep, whilst children between six and thirteen,  need eleven hours’ worth of sleep. By the time your child gets to the age of three, you probably have a bedtime ritual of some sort, something to calm them down, a hack, or something the child responds to. The last thing you want is to have a bad mattress be the thing that wakes up your child. A bad mattress can cause our child to toss and turn, and be restless.

The horrible thing is that they may not be able to articulate why they are cranky, just like adults, children also can get sore backs if they don’t get the right back support through the night. Good quality mattresses can cost a pretty penny. this is where you need to decide what is more important. A good child’s mattress can cost the same as an adult queen size mattress. It may help if you look at it as saving on future chiropractor bills, and giving your child the opportunity to have a productive next day, well-rested and refreshed.

Final Thoughts

Sleep is extremely vital for a child’s growth and development. For the total number of hours a child spends sleeping (which is more than adults need) make it worth their while.  Always keep in mind the age of the child and how much you will need them to grow with the mattress. This will influence the budget and the type of mattress you invest in. Remember your child has opinions and preferences too. Include them in the process, ask them what they need.