A good night’s sleep is essential for everyone, especially children. Not only can poor sleep affect mood, but it can also have a seriously detrimental effect on overall health and wellbeing too. For growing tots, the right bed can help support them and give them a comfortable night’s sleep which, in turn, can promote healthy growth by keeping the bones and spine in alignment.
Children tend to move around a lot more than adults at night, which can result in poor quality sleep. By providing them with a supportive, comfortable mattress, you’re minimising the chance that they’ll spend the night tossing and turning, meaning they’ll get a fidget-free and sound night’s sleep.
Do children need firm or soft mattresses?
Babies and very young children benefit from firmer mattresses, as they provide a greater degree of support for growing bones. If a mattress is too soft then it won’t provide your child with the right amount of support. This could lead to back problems.
Children’s mattresses use the same kind of design features as adult versions, so you can choose from pocket sprung, latex foam and even memory foam mattresses, all of which have the same type of advantages as their bigger cousins. If your child hates being too hot at night then a latex foam or pocket sprung version allows the air to circulate freely, keeping them cooler.
Bed wetting and allergies
Many children go through a phase of wetting the bed. Some mattresses can either come with a built-in moisture-resistant layer, or you can buy a mattress protector to stop any little accidents from seeping through and ruining the mattress underneath. The real benefit of protectors is that they can be easily removed and cleaned, keeping your child’s bed hygienic and comfortable, even if the poor little one is going through an awkward phase.
Allergies are another issue, and childhood asthma and allergies can be miserable for little ones and their parents. Some people are allergic to latex, so if you are interested in this type of mattress make sure it isn’t going to cause a reaction. Synthetic mattresses are less likely to harbour dust or attract bacteria, or you can go for natural cotton, wool, or any mattress that’s labelled as hypoallergenic for some real peace of mind.
Transitioning to a new mattress
Kids can be funny about anything new or different, so it’s important to make it as easy as possible for your child to adjust to a new sleeping arrangement. Memory foam mattress can produce an odour when brand new that’s known as ‘venting’, so before you put the mattress onto your child’s bed, it may be an idea to allow it to ‘breathe’ for a few days to dispel any smells or gases.
Making sure your child has a favourite toy, or familiar bed linen on a new bed can help calm them at night and ease the transition to a new bed. Make sure they’re included in the process of choosing their first ‘grown-up’ bed so that they have real ownership of it – this will make it much easier for them to accept the feel of a new or different bed.
What about the frame?
If you’re transitioning up to your child’s first proper bed from a crib or cot then make sure you choose a size that suits the child. They’ll feel lost in a full-size adult’s bed, so go for a smaller size that they can feel comfortable in. What’s important is that the mattress and bed make the child feel nurtured, comfortable and secure, and promote a restful night’s sleep every time.
At Bed Guru, we’ve put together a selection of great mattresses suitable for children – including small single mattresses, UK single mattresses (ideal for both single and bunk beds) and even special size mattresses. Take a look at our kids bed frames too, and practical solutions such as cabin beds for some essential additional storage.
If you’re buying a new bed for your child but are not sure what’s best, give us a call and chat with one of our experts who’ll be happy to help you make the right decision so that everyone can get a great night’s sleep!