When your baby grows up and reaches the age of having a toddler bed, their tastes then come into play when finding the perfect bed. But what about the bedding? Often you forget to ask yourself this crucial question and buy a mattress without considering which mattress is best for your child. However, this step is very important, because your child grows at night and therefore requires optimal comfort during sleep.

When and why should you switch to a children’s mattress?

Every child is different, which is why the average age at which you will need to change your old baby mattress for a children’s mattress is between 2 and 3 years old. However, you will quickly realize this when your baby has grown up and his bed has become too small; or when he can get out of bed on his own. It’s time to opt for a child’s bed!

It is essential to choose a new mattress for each child because the old mattresses of big brothers or big sisters have had time to sag and thus lost their firmness. They were also exposed to dust and mites during storage. This is why your child will need to have their own brand new mattress.

Before knowing which children’s mattress to choose, it is first important to understand why the best children’s mattress is necessary. Getting good sleep when you are growing is essential. It is during these years that your child will develop his mental and physical abilities. During its nights, its body develops growth hormones during phases of deep slow-wave sleep and its intellectual development takes place throughout its cycles.

In addition, after the age of 4, a child sleeps much less, because his sleep periods are reduced by the fact that he no longer takes as many naps as when he was younger. So after a day of spending time playing and discovering the world, your child becomes tired and it is at this moment that he will develop his abilities to concentrate, memorize and learn, while growing up. It is therefore imperative to choose the best mattress for your child.

What type of children’s mattress should you choose?

Do you want to invest in a children’s mattress that will last on average 10 years, but you don’t know which mattress will be best suited to your child or what criteria to take into account? Don’t panic, we are here to guide you! Here’s what you need to know to buy a good mattress for your child.

While a baby mattress usually measures between 60 x 120 cm and 70 x 140 cm, a child can get a single mattress. The size will depend on the space in the room or the size of your child. The 90 x 190 cm size is largely suitable until adolescence when you can then opt for a 120 x 190 cm or 140 x 190 cm for more comfort.

Density and thickness

For your child to have a comfortable mattress, it must be between 16 and 20 cm thick. Below, it could be too thin and therefore uncomfortable for your child. Please note that the density of the mattress depends on the weight of your child:

Technology

Foam mattresses are the most recommended for children since they adapt to different body types. There are two types: polyether foam and polyurethane foam. Latex mattresses are also recommended, especially for children with breathing difficulties, because its technology allows good ventilation and repels dust mites. However, avoid memory foam and pocket spring mattresses.

The support

Support is a more delicate criterion, because the best children’s mattress should be neither too soft nor too firm. So choose a happy medium that will allow your child to sleep well while being well supported.

Filling and protection

The filling can be natural or synthetic, it’s up to you to decide what suits your child best. You can also opt for a two-sided summer/winter mattress which will have a different filling. To protect the mattress, choose a removable mattress cover which makes it easier to maintain and guarantees perfect hygiene while eliminating dust mites. Otherwise, take a suitable mattress pad to protect your child’s mattress.

What are the mistakes to avoid when choosing the best children’s mattress?

In order to choose a mattress suitable for your child, you can proceed by elimination, retaining only the criteria that suit you. However, pay attention to these few mistakes not to make. First of all, you absolutely should not give your child a mattress that has already been used. Indeed, as mentioned above, an old mattress is not a good choice for a growing child, for many reasons.

Avoid at all costs choosing a memory foam mattress for your child, as this technology is not at all suitable for them. Likewise, a mattress that is too firm should be avoided as it will cause back pain in your child and prevent them from sleeping well. Furthermore, spring mattresses are strongly discouraged because they are too heavy and too noisy. To ensure you choose the best mattress for your child, remember to choose a mattress with a trial or warranty period to ensure it is the perfect fit for your child