How to choose a mattress for your child?

August 10, 2022

When you're decorating your child's room, you'll probably spend a lot of time considering which bed and furniture to buy. But no less important for your child's proper growth and development is choosing the right mattress.

During the first year of life and beyond, babies spend a relatively greater amount of time sleeping than awake. It's important to ensure that their sleep environment is conducive to sleep, and that starts with a safe and comfortable mattress.

The type of mattress you need for your child depends on their age and stage of development. In addition to different sizes, mattresses vary in what they are made of and how they are constructed.

What types of mattresses are available for children?

Bed mattresses

For babies, you'll need a crib mattress , which is typically 28 by 52 inches. Crib mattresses fit snugly around your bed to ensure there are no gaps your baby can fall into, and they are firm to reduce the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Most mattresses have a memory foam construction.

Baby bed mattresses

If you see a mattress labeled as a toddler bed, it is usually the same size as a crib mattress, as many cribs convert to a toddler bed. However, some mattresses that are specifically branded for toddlers may be slightly softer than crib mattresses.

Some crib mattress brands, like Serta, sell mattresses that have two sides (one firm, one slightly less firm) that can be flipped over once your baby transitions from a crib to a toddler bed.

Twin mattresses

Next up is a twin mattress, which measures 39 x 75 inches. Some children move straight from a crib to a twin mattress. Twin mattresses typically have an innerspring construction or are made of memory foam or latex. Some are a hybrid of the two materials.

Full mattress

Once they reach their teens, many kids prefer a little more room in bed to stretch out and do homework. Buy a full mattress that is 54 by 74 inches. Some teen lifestyle brands, like Pottery Barn Teen, sell a wide range of full-size beds with mattresses. They are made of memory foam, latex, or a hybrid.