While adults spend around 7-8 hours of sleep, kids need a bit more sleep to develop and grow properly. Depending on their age, kids need to sleep anywhere between 10-14 hours. Babies and toddlers are the ones that need the most sleep of them all.
Knowing that kids also need a quality mattress to sleep on. So, parents must take the time to choose the right mattress for their little ones. But with so many mattresses to choose from, how does one make the right decision?
A firm or a soft mattress – Which one should you choose for your kid?
The mattress that you end up choosing for your kid needs to provide the following things:
- Support the kid’s changing size;
- Encourage the development of a healthy posture;
- And provide a healthy, comfortable, and clean night’s sleep.
Firm mattresses create a float-like feeling. At the same time, they are stable and offer greater spine support. This type of mattress is usually preferred among kids that spend their nights sleeping on their stomach. It is also the usual type of mattress preferred by younger kids that are moved from a crib to their first bed.
On the other hand, soft mattresses allow kids to sink into the mattress itself. Sleeping on a plush bed is like sleeping on a pile of pillows, giving an absolute comfort’s experience. That, however, is not how your spine feels whenever you are laying down on a soft mattress. Soft mattresses are attractive for their comfort level, rather than their spine-support level. Soft mattresses are usually preferred by those who like to sleep on their side or back.
The best mattress is a combination of a firm and a soft mattress. That way, your kid will be getting the best of both worlds. The ideal mattress provides just enough spine support as it offers comfort as well. In our opinion, this is the right mattress to choose from. But then again, which mattress represents the perfect combination between a firm and a soft mattress at the same time? Here are some examples followed by an explanation as to what makes them so great. Whichever option you end up choosing, we believe that your kid will love it and love sleeping on their new mattress just as well.
Memory foam
Memory foam may as well be the true winner when it comes to picking the right mattress for your kids. This mattress offers way too many benefits all at the same time. One of the best things about memory foam is the fact that it can easily conform to every curve of the body.If you remember, we mentioned this being one of the main things to look for in a mattress. At the same time, memory foam is comfortable and creates a float-like effect. Memory foam is also hypoallergenic which is great for kids who struggle with allergies. One downside to memory foam mattresses is that they tend to keep you warm during the night.
Standard sprung
If you want to invest your money in something that works, think of a standard sprung mattress as an option for your children. The standard sprung, also known as an open coil mattress, is worth its money just because it offers long-term support. With an open coil mattress, your kid’s weight will spread evenly on the mattress itself which is a highly important characteristic to look for in a mattress.
Pocket sprung
Pocket sprung mattresses may have similar features to the standard ones. The thing that sets them apart is their flexible movements. Compared to the standard sprung mattress, the pocket sprung one offers better movement and weight support. For that reason, the pocket sprung mattress is considered to be a valuable upgrade to the standard ones. Latex
If your kid likes to stay cool during the night, then go for the latex mattress. This mattress is one of the newer types that hit the market in the last couple of years. As such, it quickly gained popularity. The latex mattress is also hypoallergenic, thus perfect for any kid with allergies. It also creates a weightless feeling which may be favoured among kids.Reflex foam
And last but not least important is the reflex foam mattress. The reflex foam mattress features a more solid foam form. This makes it more firm as compared to the classic memory foam one. Knowing that a reflex foam mattress is perfect for the growing kid.Now that you know all of the different mattresses, it is up to you to make the decision. With older kids, it is always recommended to consider their opinion as well. Take them along with you in the mattress store and allow them to be a part of the choosing process. They can try out the different mattresses and tell you what they like the most. Even if you want to order the mattress online, this is still a great way to gain a bit more insight.
