Finding the right kids’ mattresses can take a lot of time. Just one Google search can send you into a deep, dark rabbit hole of organic vs. synthetic, soft vs. firm, crib mattresses vs. twin mattresses, and so much more.
But with all of this information out there, which one should you choose?
This is an important question because healthy sleeping habits can aid your little one’s growth and development and support a healthy immune system. And choosing the right mattress sets them up for success and quality sleep each night.
The good news is you don’t have to figure all of this out by yourself. In this article, we’ll take you through what you need to consider before buying a bed for your little one and the four most important factors that contribute to good mattresses for kids.
Why Are Kids’ Mattresses So Important?
The biggest reason why finding the right mattress is important is because your little human will spend so much time sleeping.
According to The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the amount of sleep children need depends on their age group:
- Babies (Infant-12 months): 12-16 hours of sleep per day
- Toddlers (1-2 years): 11-14 hours of sleep per day
- Children (3-5 years): 10-13 hours of sleep per day
- Children (6-12 years): 9-12 hours of sleep per day
- Teenagers (13-18 years): 8-10 hours of sleep per day
As highlighted above, adequate sleep is essential for children’s growth and development, and choosing the right mattress can allow your little one to sleep comfortably throughout the night.
But every child is unique, and a bed that might be considered perfect for one may not be ideal for another. So, what should you be looking for before you spend your hard-earned money on a mattress?
Things To Consider Before Buying Kids’ Mattresses
In a nutshell, the right mattress should:
- Support your child’s constantly changing size
- Provide a healthy posture for your little one
- Promote a healthy and clean sleeping surface
There are also three key points to also consider before purchasing a mattress. Here’s a closer look at each of them and why they’re important.
Your Child’s Age
Children require different mattresses at different stages. For example, a baby will naturally need a different bed than a teenager for safety and proper development. That’s why it’s best to buy a mattress perfectly suited to your child’s age.
If you have a newborn, look for crib mattresses, co-sleepers, or bassinets because they are constructed with a newborn’s delicate body in mind. As they get older, you can consider toddler beds, twin beds, twin XL mattresses, etc.
While co-sleepers and bassinets can be a good option for little ones, keep in mind that they can only accommodate your child for a few months before you need to switch to a bigger, more comfortable sleeping surface.
If you’re trying to be economical without compromising your child’s safety and comfort, the best option is a crib mattress like the Newton Baby Original Crib Mattresses. These come in standard sizes and can serve your child well from infancy until they are about two to three years old.
If Your Child Has Allergies
When children have allergies, organic or natural sleep surfaces tend to be the best option. This is because some companies use a variety of chemicals when manufacturing their mattresses, and these chemicals may cause allergies.
In addition, if your child suffers from other medical conditions such as sleep apnea, asthma, or scoliosis, getting into deep sleep can be challenging. If they are sleeping on the wrong mattress, they might experience fatigue from sleep deprivation, which can exacerbate their symptoms.
Depending on your child’s condition, the right bed might include an adjustable mattress to allow you to change the comfort and firmness level accordingly.
Before committing, speak to their healthcare provider, as they may also have specific mattresses they recommend, according to your child’s needs.
Firmness Level
While comfort levels can be subjective for adults, how can you choose the right firmness for your little one?
A mattress that is too hard or too soft will often cause lots of pain and discomfort throughout the night. This can result in a sleep-deprived, irritable child. As parents, that’s the last thing we want.
Look for mattresses within the medium-firm range. These are generally excellent for correct spinal alignment. They can also support your little one during the night as they change sleeping positions.
Now that we’ve looked at the three key areas to think about before investing in a mattress for your child, let’s focus on what every good mattress needs to have.
4 Things The Best Kids’ Mattresses Have In Common
1) Green Materials
Synthetic mattresses are on our no-buy list here at Newton Baby. Not only can they aggravate existing medical conditions, but they may also cause or contribute to respiratory problems, skin irritations, and other health issues.
Instead, a good mattress, like our Crib Mattress, will be constructed with natural, chemical-free materials and will promote proper respiratory health with breathability built right in. Our quality mattress is 100% breathable and has components that are certified safe for your little one.
If you’re unsure what the mattress you’re looking to purchase is made of, read the brand’s label and check for chemicals used. Most suppliers will happily give the information to buyers in the event that it isn’t on a label. If there’s a lack of transparency, then that’s a red flag.
2) Airflow
When most people think of a comfortable sleeping environment for babies, they tend to think of soft sheets, crib mattress pads, swaddles, and the like. While all of these are important, one key area is often an afterthought — airflow.
When babies are born, they aren’t yet able to regulate their body temperature. And if they have on multiple layers of clothing while sleeping (which often happens), it is easy for them to overheat. Overheating increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
For children, it’s best to look for a cooling or breathe-through mattress that allows your child to have appropriate airflow and reduces sweating and overheating.
3) Durability
Earlier, we mentioned the many hours that kids, especially younger children, need to sleep every night. This makes a durable mattress that can withstand wear and tear so important.
But how long are we talking about?
Most quality mattresses should last up to eight years. This is great if you plan on having the bed stay with your child as they get older or if you are planning to have multiple children and pass the bed on from older to younger siblings.
Always look for the guarantee period for your purchase to ensure that you're choosing a bed that will last for the expected years ahead.
4) Waterproof And Washable
Children are well-known for being messy and having an accident or two while sleeping. This is why, in addition to your mattress, getting a mattress pad or cover is always a great idea.
Look for a stain-resistant mattress, mattress cover, or pad that’s machine washable and snugly fits around the bed so you won’t have to worry about those late-night accidents when they occur.
An Option That Has It All
We’ve spoken about the importance of getting a mattress that’s constructed with green materials, allows for airflow, and is durable, waterproof, and washable. But the truth is it’s sometimes challenging to find a bed with all these qualities.
Often, parents need to compromise on one or more factors. But not with Newton Baby.
If you’re looking for a crib mattress that has all these qualities and more, look no further than our Newton Baby mattress line.
We construct our mattresses with innovative Breath-Thru technology, allowing children to breathe right through the material if they roll over in the middle of the night. This helps support airflow and reduces the risk of suffocation.
They are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified. This means they’re independently tested and certified for low chemical emissions, and they can help improve indoor air quality so your little one breathes cleaner air.
In addition, our crib mattress’s outer cover has a convenient removable design, making it easy to pop off and into the washing machine. It’s also super soft and breathable, so you won’t need to worry about adding sheets if you don’t have any.
Help Your Child Sleep Comfortably Every Night
A good night’s rest is essential for everyone, especially children. The better the quality of sleep they get, the more it helps their physical, mental, and emotional growth and development.
Before purchasing a kids’ mattress, remember to consider the most important factors: your child’s age, whether they have allergies, and the firmness level your child needs.
Once you’re clear on what you’ll need and have a few mattress options to choose from, compare them to one another by looking at the materials used, airflow support, durability, and whether they are waterproof and washable.
All these factors will help ensure that you choose the right bed for your little one.
And if you’re looking for safe, quality crib mattresses and covers that have all these attributes and more, check out our selection of Newton Baby Crib Mattress products.
