ABC’s of Mattress Buying

What is the best choice of mattress for your child’s bed? As children transition from the crib and toddler bed to the “big girl/boy bed” it is important to consider the investment and the product options for the mattress.

After the toddler bed the mattress you purchase can carry them for some time to come. It can transition in to the teen years and follow them after college to set up their first home.

Investigate option in the mattress beyond the old-fashioned spring mattress. Consider for example a memory foam option. There are vendors making eco-friendly versions that are allergy free. The memory foam is unable to be penetrated by dust mites and bed bugs. The covers are organic cotton or bamboo, also allergen resistant. This can make the sleep experience much easier for your child. There is no need to suffer through the classic red, itchy eyes, stuffy nose and wheezing when the mattress can be designed to be free from allergic elements.

For the active kid, consider combining a memory foam, air or gel-foam mattress with an adjustable frame. This allows them to create alternative arrangements that can help with study time, hanging out or in the case of the sports kid; it can allow the mattress to support the recovery of aches and breaks.

There are types of bed frames to support the adjustable beds and the related mattresses. You can choose a twin size that allows more space planning options in the room but may limit options as your child ages. The twin bed is 39 inches wide and affords more personal space than a shared queen or full bed. This allows a room to have a desk or lounging space and yet affords space enough for the sleeper to stretch out.

If it appears that your little one is moving toward NBA height, then you should consider an extra long version. This is possible in twin and full sizes but queen and king come in the longer 80” length automatically. There are special sizes and shapes available if you are working on a special theme. Round, angular and other odd shapes are especially easy in the memory foam or gel-foam options.

It is challenging to look at a four year old and predict their interests and favorite activities. But there are some things you can predict. They are going to push the bed to the limit. They are going to jump, push and poke at the corners. Look for a manufacturer or vendor that offers a significant warranty or guarantee for their product; it will save replacing the mattress over and over.

Children grow up so fast. One day you are swaddling them in a bassinet and the next you are driving them to soccer practice. Make the growing process a good one, provide a safe, supportive and comfortable place for them to sleep. This allows them to reboot and take on the next day. Find a mattress that gives them all they need to grow healthy, strong and full of the energy they need to take on all that lies before them.