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When you are picking out a mattress for kids, it is important to take as much care in choosing their mattress as you would in choosing your own. During their growing years, it is important that they have a high quality mattress that provides them with good support for their spine by picking out one that has inner springs. A foundation which provides a supportive surface and aligns with your child’s lower back is also important, relieving any tension, strains and muscle fatigue that could be avoided.
In most cases, a child will not need an orthopaedic mattress, but that does not mean they don’t require a good quality mattress with adequate support. Every person is different so get your child involved in the shopping process and allow them to try out a few out in the shop, seeing which they find the most comfortable.
The main factor is determining the size of bed you want to put them in. A child does not necessarily need a special ‘child-sized’ mattress even though there are plenty of kid’s mattresses on the market. Provided the mattress is high quality, it will offer enough support regardless of its size and it may be more economical to buy them an adult size bed and mattress now to last until your child is fully grown. In some cases, a child’s bed and mattress is a better choice for rooms which can only accommodate a child sized bed, but it will not impact their development.
Additional features of a good mattress may include anti-microbial cushioning and waterproofing, including protected covers for keeping the mattress clean and fresh against any mishaps or spillages. These features may be useful if your child is prone to an accidental wetting at night as it avoids the risk of damaging the mattress itself.
How often mattresses need to be changed all depends on the quality of the mattress and the amount of use it has had over the years. A good quality mattress on an infrequently used bed in the spare room will have a much longer life than the same mattress on a bed which has been slept on every night and bounced on regularly by playing children. To test if a mattress has deteriorated in quality, lie on it yourself for a couple of nights to see if it offers you enough support, keeping an eye out for any loose springs or worn surfaces. To keep it in good condition for longer, air it outside on a sunny day to reduce the amount of dust mites and keep refreshing the protective cover to maintain a clean bed.
If you are struggling to create a comfy environment for your child to drift off into, look further than just the mattress. Continue with the same bedtime routine your child has always followed and switch out things like the sheets or pyjamas they wear in case they feel scratchy or itchy. Involving them in buying their new mattress or bed as well as choosing their own bedroom decorations can also help them settle.
