Choosing the Best Mattress for Kids
There are lots of decisions that come with parenting, especially as that little infant grows into a toddler and then a young child. Among them is choosing a mattress when it's time to move baby into his first crib, or from the crib into his first bed. This is a decision that many parents struggle with. Some find it a minor struggle that is quickly resolved, while others take it to an extreme that is both unnecessary and unhealthy. So before going further it is important to note that there's no such thing as "perfect" mattress. Even if you do make the "wrong" choice, it's unlikely to have any serious, lifelong consequences.
It's also important to note that with more than 1,200 mattress brands available on the American market, it's going to be nearly impossible to find a recommendation from an unbiased source as to the best manufacturer and model of mattress. Remember that when different sources recommend specific manufacturers and models, they typically have some sort of link to those manufactures which benefits them financially. A completely impartial source such as MattressBuyingGuide.net won't point out one specific manufacturer or model that is superior to the rest in a biased manner.
Size Is the First Question
Before you begin shopping for a mattress for your child the first decision to be made is what size you're going to purchase. You more or less have a few choices:
- youth
- twin/single
- full/double
- queen/California queen/super queen
- king/California king/super king
For most children's bedrooms the queen and king models are not practical. This is especially true if you have multiple children in the same room and are tight for space. That leaves you with the youth, twin, and full options. Some people opt for the youth bed because it is small and typically constructed in the style and design that would appeal to children. Often times you can find them built to look like race cars or fire trucks, with lots of bright colors and child-friendly edges and corners. They are a good option if you don't mind the fact that you'll be spending money on a new mattress within just a couple of years.
A twin/single mattress is usually the type you find in bunk beds or a narrow single bed. This is the most common choice among parents because it gives them a bit of flexibility while still remaining a little bit on the smaller side. With several twin mattresses and beds it's easy to get multiple children in the same room; something else that is appealing to parents. In all likelihood your child could stick with a single mattress right up to his pre-teen years and the growth spurt that accompanies them.
For parents who simply want to buy one mattress and one bed for the entire 18 to 20 years a child lives at home, the full/double mattress is probably the best option. It is the largest of the three; large enough to accommodate your child's growth through childhood and into adulthood. It is possible to find bunk beds that use full mattresses, but they will be slightly larger than bunk beds using twins.
Mattresses for Infants
When purchasing a mattress for an infant bed or crib, remember that it should not be soft enough to allow the baby's head to sink. Remember that a baby cannot adequately turn himself over until about the 3-4 month mark. Even at that, if your baby is ill or restricted in movement by stuffed animals or blankets, he may not be able to roll himself over anyway. Having a mattress that's too soft and allows the baby's head to sink could result in suffocation. Along the same lines, you should never put pillows, stuffed animals, or extra blankets inside a crib.
The mattress you purchase should fit snugly against the crib frame, all the way around. Even a gap of just a couple of inches is enough to cause injury to your child if he should get a hand, foot, or even his head wedged in between. If you're purchasing a mattress for a crib that has been handed down, make sure you take the interior measurements with you to the mattress store.
Mattress Construction
Inner spring mattresses are far and away the most popular on the market. They will generally suffice for most children into their teenage years. If you are concerned about their comfort level on an inner spring mattress you can always choose one of the other types: foam, adjustable air, and waterbed mattresses. Remember that what you find comfortable may not necessarily be comfortable for your children.
When it comes to mattress construction one of the things you have to be careful about are the claims that typically come with organic products. There are those who are concerned about the chemicals and synthetic materials used to make non-organic products, and that's fine. Those who choose to purchase organic because they believe it's better for their children certainly have the right to do so. But keep in mind that organic manufacturers have a vested interest in convincing you that non-organic products are unsafe.
It is common to see all sorts of unsubstantiated claims by organic manufacturers and proponents. Read and understand all of that information, but then do some independent research on your own. Just because an organic manufacturer claims that an inner spring mattress leaches chemicals doesn't mean it's true. Your choice of organic versus non-organic should be made because you've done the research and come to conclusions on your own. It should not be because an advertisement or blog post scared you or manipulated your conscience.
Also keep in mind that any mattresses sold in the United States must meet very stringent guidelines for safety. As long as you're purchasing a mattress that has met those guidelines you can rest assured that it's not going to kill you or your children.
In the end, the best mattress for your child is the one that allows him the most restful sleep. But because you're purchasing a mattress for someone else rather than yourself, it's not always easy to get it right. Don't panic. It's not the end of the world. Do your best to find your child a suitable mattress. But if you can't find the "perfect" model don't beat yourself over the head either.