Choosing Mattresses for Children

Most of us spend a lot of time lying down on our beds. We all need to sleep at night and the fact that we need 8 hours of it in a day means that we spend a third of our whole lives on our bed. Sleep is a very important thing in anybody’s life. It is what keeps us refreshed and prepares us for the next day.

Having a good mattress that fits you well is not about being luxurious; it is about getting something that you need. When you shop for mattresses for kids, there are other considerations than when you are shopping for your own. Children require different things and the mattress that you get has to meet these. When you really get down to what matters, it is just about the comfort that the mattress provides. Maybe as equally important is the length of time that you will be using it.

Children, as opposed to adults, are not fully grown just yet so they need the right amount of support when they are sleeping. Parents should not buy a mattress just because it is the cheapest one there is. Usually the cheap mattresses can only last a maximum of five years and this means you have to go and spend money again on a new one. A child should be able to use a mattress for around ten years. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a new mattress; just do not get the hundred-dollar one used one that you find on Craigslist.

Twin mattresses are the best option for children. The traditional ones measure 75 inches in length and 39 inches in width. The selection also differs in other factors that just the size so the choice can be a bit more challenging to make.

Mattresses come in four main kinds – interior spring, pocket spring, orthopedic foam, and memory foam.

The first kind has interlocked springs that provide support. These are covered by linings and pads. The second kind, pocket springs, have non-interlocking springs that are found in individual compartments. These make the bed more flexible. The orthopedic foam has plenty of foam layers that offer good support and works great for people with back problems. Some children love sleeping on a twin memory foam mattress since it has the capacity to contour to the forms of your body.

The selection also differs in terms of the materials used. Stay away from those that have polyurethane foam, and PVC. These are dangerous for children and can lead to gassing and harmful carcinogens. Your best bet is to go for organic materials. These are mattresses made from organic wools – a material that is mite resistant. Look for the ones with the GreenGuard or Healthy Child, Healthy World seals.