Quality sleep is an essential component of the physical and cognitive development of kids, so it’s important your child has the best mattress to support a healthy sleep cycle.
There are a lot of things to consider when looking for the best mattress for kids. Mattress size, density, support, durability, and care are just a few of the features that will ensure the mattress you decide on will be the best one for your child.
This guide covers everything, including how to match the best mattress for kids according to your child's unique sleeping style, when to upgrade, and what are the best sizes and mattress features for young sleepers.
How Important Is Sleep For Kids?
Sleep is important for all living beings, but for kids, sleep plays a very special role in their brain development.
In the early stages of life, healthy sleep also contributes to the creation of the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is the natural ‘body clock’ that triggers alertness and drowsiness. Good sleep habits from an early age help to establish a beneficial sleep cycle.
Kids who sleep well develop positive recovery habits that can have life-long benefits. Poor sleep habits during childhood can lead to a lifetime of difficult sleep.
If your child needs a constant wake up call, it could be a sign that they are not completing all the stages of sleep. Buying the best mattress for kids is one way to help.
Other strategies include making sure kids are sleeping for the total recommended hours as per their age group. The best and only way to help children get enough deep sleep each night is to create a strict sleep schedule.
By combining these actions, your child can perfect their sleep cycle so they wake up energized and ready for another day of fun and learning.
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How Much Should Kids Sleep?
Depending on the age of your child, kids can spend up to 5 more hours in bed compared to adults. This extra time between the sheets makes a quality mattress a must-have for kids.
| Category | Age | Recommended hours of sleep per day |
| Newborns | 0-3 months | 14-17 hours |
| Infants | 4-11 months | 12-15 hours |
| Toddlers | 1-2 years | 11-14 hours |
| Preschoolers | 3-5 years | 10-13 hours |
| School-age children | 6-13 years | 9-11 hours |
| Teenagers | 14-17 years | 8-10 hours |
Data source:Â WebMD.com
A quality sleep surface, combined with the right number of hours in bed, positions children for better mental and physical health. Investing in the best mattress for kids is just as important as ensuring children get the right amount of sleep. It’s close to impossible for a child to sleep soundly on a bed that does not support their body.
Kids require more shut-eye than adults because during the sleep cycle key mental and physical developments take place.
The benefits of sleep for children include:
- Alertness
- Improved memory
- Faster reaction times
- Increased energy
- Brighter mood
- Better behavior
When a child is deprived of sleep, not only will they feel fatigued, but they can also face serious learning difficulties at school. The inability to retain and recall information is one of the most common side effects of poor sleep in children.
How To Help Your Child Sleep Better?
The two best things parents can do to ensure that their children develop healthy sleeping habits are creating a bedroom environment optimized for rest and helping kids develop a sleep schedule.
A recent sleep study of 300,000 children in North America, Europe, and Asia found that children whose parents set strict bedtime guidelines had better sleep hygiene than children without consistent routine.
Setting up the bedroom with the best mattress for kids and having strict bedtimes will ensure your kids have energy-charged mornings each day. Making kids comfortable during bedtime will guarantee they will fall asleep faster.
With so many distractions, some kids find it really difficult to switch their minds off before bed - even if you have upgraded them to the best mattress possible! To help your kids develop the best routine, you can also encourage the following pre-bedtime habits:
- Swap TV and games for some bedtime reading
- No sugars before bedtime
- Warm baths to create calmness
The Right Kids Mattress Size
Mattress size dimensions are a great place to start if you’re on the lookout to upgrade your kids’ mattress to help them sleep better.
Whether transitioning a toddler from a crib to a bed or deciding what size mattress is best for your teen, selecting the right mattress size will give you the peace of mind of knowing that your kid will always be comfy regardless of when they have a growth spurt.
Crib Mattress
If your baby snoozes in a crib, standard crib mattresses are best. Most babies sleep in a crib bed until the age of 3. But this can all depend on how quickly your baby grows and adapts to their sleep cycle.
A standard crib mattress measures in at 28 inches wide and 52 inches long.
Twin Mattress
As soon as you notice your child trying to escape the crib or feeling cramped, it might be the perfect time to transition them to a twin size bed.
Twin size beds are also great for bunk beds if you have kids who share a bedroom. A twin size mattress is the best mattress for kids as it will last for up to 5 years or more, depending on how quickly your child grows.
A standard twin size mattress measures in at 38 inches wide and 75 inches long.
Twin XL Mattress
For kids who are destined to be tall, a twin XL might be the way to go. The only difference between a twin size mattress and a twin XL is the length. A twin XL mattress size will give your child 5 extra inches of legroom. A twin XL is the best mattress for kids who are closer to teenage years.
A standard twin XL mattress measures in at 38 inches wide and 80 inches long.
Full Mattress
Some parents like to look well ahead and make investments that will last. If your child’s room is spacious, a full size mattress dimension is sure to accommodate for growth and provide consistent comfort. A full size mattress is the best mattress for bigger kids, or kids who might move out for college and take their mattress with them.
A full size mattress can suit kids, teens, and even adults who like sleeping cozy. Another popular use for a full size is when you design your kids’ room with a full size loft bed frame. Loft beds save floor space and provide extra room for study, storage, and play.
A standard full size mattress measures in at 54 inches wide and 75 inches long.
Best Kids Mattress: What To Look Out For
Mattress size sorted? The next step is to decide what type of kids mattress will best help your child sleep better.
Kids tend to rest in various sleeping positions throughout the night. For the perfect sleep in any position, a memory foam mattress is a top choice for young sleepers who need an equal balance of comfort and support. That's why it’s considered one of the best mattresses for kids.
A memory foam mattress is adaptive and contours to muscles and joints making it the perfect sleep surface for active kids who spend most of their waking hours learning and playing.
Here’s what to look out for when you’re shopping for the best memory foam mattress.
Firmness & support
Mattress firmness is important for kids. A bed that is too soft or too hard can create pain and discomfort throughout the night.
When it comes to firmness, the best mattress for kids should sit in the medium-firm category. Medium-firm is great for spinal alignment and will support your child even as they switch between sleeping positions throughout the night.
Breathability
The best mattress for kids needs cooling properties to stabilize body temperature. Kids tend to experience temperature fluctuations quite rapidly. A heavy day of play, a hot bath, and even diet can all contribute to drastic changes in body temperature. A quality memory foam mattress will ensure your child doesn’t overheat or feel too cold.
While the ideal temperature for deep sleep varies with age, keeping cool is a must. The best thing about a memory foam mattress is that they regulate temperature. A memory foam cooling mattress is highly breathable and won’t trap heat in the bed.
Allergy control
With allergies on the rise, all children can benefit from sleeping on a hypoallergenic memory foam mattress. Hypoallergenic properties in mattresses create a barrier against irritants that can cause sneezing and itchy skin.
Certified materials
To have peace of mind that your kids aren’t breathing in harmful chemicals when they sleep, ensure the memory foam mattress you buy is made with CertiPUR-US® certified foams.
All best mattress for kids reviews will mention certified foams as a top priority. The CertiPUR-US® certified stamp of approval means the mattress foam is made without any harmful chemicals such as mercury, lead, formaldehyde, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and other chemical compounds that might harm your child’s health.
Mattresses made with CertiPUR-US® certified foams are also tested to ensure they contain low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Beds that are low in VOCs are a good choice for eco-conscious households as they improve air quality.
Explore the benefits of Puffy mattresses made with CertiPUR-US® certified foams to ensure your kids sleep safe and sound.
Mattress protection
As your child transitions to a bigger bed, it’s inevitable that there will be a few accidents along the way. To make cleaning pee and other mattress stains as easy as possible, ensure that the memory foam mattress has a stain-resistant and machine washable mattress protector. A key feature of the best mattress for kids is undoubtedly the ability to keep it clean and stain-free.
You will save time and money on expensive mattress cleaning services with a memory foam mattress that has a zip-n-wash cover.
Durability
Most mattresses should last for up to 8 years, depending on wear and tear. The best way to guarantee durability is to opt for a kids mattress that has a long warranty period.
You can’t go wrong with Puffy's lifetime warranty. For as long as your kid sleeps on a Puffy Mattress, your purchase is completely covered.
Comfort
Last but not least, comfort really matters. A kid that is comfortable will always get better sleep. A Puffy memory foam mattress is a popular choice for kids because it feels like sleeping on a cloud! The biggest dreams start with quality sleep and the most comfortable mattress will guarantee the best sleep for your kids.
When Is It Time For An Upgrade?
When you notice that your kids are uncomfortable, cramped for space, or struggling to fall asleep, it might be the perfect time for a mattress upgrade.
We make kids mattress shopping easy. Thousands of Puffy mattress reviews, free delivery and returns, and a 101-night sleep trial mean your purchase is risk-free. We guarantee your kids will get super comfy sleep and wake up energized for another day of fun!
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