Kids Mattresses

About Kids Mattresses

While every person can benefit from getting a great night's sleep each night, children especially rely on high-quality sleep to support their evolving growth and cognitive learning function. Younger children particularly need more sleep (around 13 hours) while older kids need a bit less (around 8 to 10 hours).

However, sleeping is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour, nor are kids mattresses. Each family and child has unique preferences for the material, type, and size of kids bed mattresses that support great sleep.

Whether it's a toddler mattress or a bunk bed mattress, it's important to select an option that benefits the child. Finding the best kids mattress will depend on finding high-quality materials while also making sure a child is comfortable.

Advantages and Applications

Supporting Growth

Like all elements of kids bedding, children's mattresses should support a child's growth and encourage good posture. Many factors may influence which kids mattresses are supporting growth, such as whether the material is air or foam and the size of the bed.

Providing Comfort

A child must be physically comfortable while they sleep and rest. Children tend to learn whether they prefer firmer or softer kids beds in their first 5-10 years, although this preference may change. It's important to be receptive to the signs children give off about how comfortable they seem when they sleep.

If a child tosses and turns a lot, it could be because they're simply restless sleepers. On the other hand, it may indicate that they need a firmer or softer kids bed mattress.

Ensuring Safety

Kids furniture and bedding are designed to be attractive and appealing to the child, but also to keep them safe. A kids bed mattress needs to make children feel stable while they sleep. Firmer options for very young sleepers help to prevent them from rolling over and sinking their faces into the fabric, keeping them safe when parents are out of the room.

Types

Kids Foam Mattress

Foam is soft and comfortable but is also firm and springy. This offers excellent support and allows a child to sleep peacefully without sinking too much. A kids foam mattress is one of the most popular choices for this reason.

Kids Air Mattress

A kids air mattress is a great choice because it offers supple support and a high level of comfort but can easily be packed away. This makes it ideal as a permanent fixture, but also it's easy to store in kids wardrobes and is useful for visiting children.

Baby Cot Mattress

A baby cot mattress should be firm and sized to fit a cot or crib (see the size guide below). These options are typically only used when the child is very small but can be reused for younger siblings when they arrive.

Bunk Bed Mattress

A kids single mattress is typically the best choice for a bunk bed mattress. Bunk beds usually have two sleeping areas, although loft beds (a type of bunk bed) also include space for kids drawers underneath the bed.

Kids Mattress Sizes

The size should be fitted to the bed frame. It's normal to only have to upgrade once in size when transitioning from a toddler bed to a single bed.

Kids Single Mattress

These are usually around 75cm x 190cm, although larger options are also available up to around 90cm x 200cm. If a child is growing fast and the family tends to be tall, a larger choice might be a better long-term investment. However, it takes up extra space and may leave less room for kids bedside tables.

Toddler Mattress

These tend to measure around 70cm x 140cm. A cot bed might have an even smaller option, especially a travelling cot designed to take up minimal space. Kids air mattresses are typically best for travelling cots, as they're easier to store and deploy.

Larger Options

Double beds are sometimes good choices for children, especially young twins or siblings if space is limited. If there's room available, older children will appreciate a double bed as it helps them to feel more “grown-up.” 

Things to Consider

Space

The size of a child's bedroom determines how large a bed can be. It's important to leave room for other important furniture and ensure that the room doesn't feel cramped.

Allergies

Most models are hypoallergenic, but if a child is especially sensitive, some materials are preferable to others. This should be discussed with the supplier. An eco kids mattress will also typically be hypoallergenic.

Bedframe Height

Some models are thicker and higher than others. For small children, climbing into bed easily is important - if a bed frame is quite high, this should be taken into consideration when choosing.

Care and Maintenance

A thick, machine-washable protective covering is recommended for all child beds. A plastic underlayer offers extra protection. Otherwise, washing the surface thoroughly with warm, soapy water after any mishaps and applying fabric fresheners is good care practice.