What Type of Mattress is Best for Kids?

What Type of Mattress is Best for Kids? 

It can be easy to overlook the quality of your kid’s bed because they are so tiny and don’t weigh much. However, whether you have a toddler just starting out in a big bed or a teenager that is growing at a rate of knots, choosing the best mattress for kids should be as important a decision as choosing one for yourself. Kids need good sleep to function optimally too. It is important for their physical health, cognitive strength, and emotional stability too. If they are not sleeping on a good quality mattress, it could be impacting one or more of these areas of their life. In this guide on what type of mattress is best for kids, we will advise you on what to look for in a good kid's bed from size, to firmness, and support. Once you're done reading this, you should feel more informed to make the best decision when buying a bed for your child or children.

How to Choose the Best Type of Mattress for Your Kids?

When you’re about to embark on a search for the best mattress for children’s beds, you need to first be very clear on what you’re looking for. Here are a few questions to help you narrow down your needs:

  • What age and size of child are you looking for? Are they a toddler, a young child, a tween, or a teen?
  • How tall are they and how much do they weigh?
  • What is their predominant sleeping position i.e. what position do they fall asleep in?
  • Do they have any physical challenges, injuries, or needs?
  • How big is their room space and what size bed can it accommodate easily (leaving enough room for other furniture pieces like desks, toys, bedside tables etc).

With all of this in mind, here are our top tips for you to help answer the question of, what is the best mattress for kids?

#1: Choose the Right Comfort Type

Most children (unless they are larger teenagers) will weigh under 60kgs, which according to the Comfort Firmness Scale means that they should be sleeping on a bed that is between a plush and medium level of firmness. If they weigh more, then you need to look more accordingly at a medium to medium-firm mattress.

The right comfort and firmness will allow the child to feel comforted, cared for, supported, and warm during the night which will enable them to have a more restful, regenerative night’s sleep.

#2: Know Their Sleeping Position

It’s wise to have a look at what position your child predominantly falls asleep in at night; this will tell you what kind of sleeper they are. Most mattresses are designed to support back and side sleepers as they are able to support the correct alignment of the spine and hips. If your child is a tummy sleeper, you may need to choose a mattress that is specifically for tummy sleepers and one that is not too soft either.

#3: Have You Asked Them?

Unless you're dealing with a very small toddler who hasn't formed an opinion yet, it's also important to ask your child what kind of mattress they like. Take them with you when buying the bed and make sure you go to a Dial•a•bed store that has a Comfort Test Area, where you can test out a few mattress types.

#4: What Size Works?

A single bed is ideal for smaller children who are just starting out in a big bed, but you also might want to consider a three-quarter bed if you want it to last for a few years, which will enable them to grow taller and still fit comfortably into the bed. For tweens and teenagers, you'd be best off considering a double bed, which will allow them the space to stretch their busy limbs at night while they grow and also allow for a friend to fit in comfortably during those fun sleepovers.

#5: Stick to Your Budget

You may be tempted to buy your little prince or princess the biggest bed on the block, but don't. Create a budget that makes sense for you, and your affordability, and make sure you stick to it. Spend good money on a good quality bed and use the rest of your budget to add special extras like beautiful linen and pillows.

What Else to Consider for a Kids Bed?

When it comes to kids (and adults for that matter) making sure you add mattress and pillow protectors to your budget is essential. Especially when it comes to little ones who might still have a few accidents at night, or those pesky teens who love to drink their tea in bed whilst lying down, investing in these protector accessories will help to keep the mattress in good shape. Mattress and pillow protectors help to prevent deep stains from seeping into the mattress foam and leading to bad odours, mould, and other unwanted germs from growing.

For a range of the most comfortable mattresses, each designed with the latest in sleep technology, and engineered to suit your unique sleep style. Visit any of our 76 stores nationwide or online 24/7 at www.dialabed.co.za