The Best Mattresses for Kids, According to a Sleep Expert
Moving from a toddler bed with a crib mattress to a big kid bed with a larger mattress is a major milestone. Up until the age of 7, your littles need a firm mattress with proper support; after that, right around the time they’re ready to transition to a bigger bed, it’s more a matter of preference. Maybe they want something a bit softer and cozier or maybe they’re a hot sleeper and want something cooling. Whatever the case, it’s important to choose a mattress that will serve them well. We chatted with Sleep Sherpa founder Ben Trapskin to round up the best mattresses for kids (and parents) who are ready to take the next step.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Mattress for Kids
When choosing your first bid kid mattress, Trapskin says there are a few important considerations:
Choose a mattress with adequate support and comfort. “Most kids will use their mattresses until they leave the house as adults so it’s important to choose one that will still provide support and comfort as they grow,” Trapskin says. The “right” support and comfort will depend on your child, but according to The Sleep Foundation “a medium firm mattress with good pressure relief tends to be the best choice in the long term.”
Choose a mattress with room to grow. Again, because you will probably have this mattress for years to come, it’s a good idea to choose something that has a little room to grow. if your child is used to someone cuddling with them to read a bedtime story, you should look for a mattress that provides a little extra room — a full or an XL twin, the latter of which is the same width as a twin but 5” longer.
Choose a mattress that’s appropriate for your budget. “A cheap mattress is a recipe for sleepless nights and tired, crabby kids,” says Trapskin. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to pick the most expensive mattress out there. Trapskin adds that foam mattresses are usually the least expensive — and you’ll pay a premium for natural mattresses, which “tend to last a bit longer due to the latex being used instead of foam” and “also don’t contain any forever chemicals.”
Choose a mattress with a trial period and warranty. Trapskin recommends buying from companies that have truly free trials (versus those that charge a restocking fee or insist on giving store credit rather than a full refund). He also advises reading the fine print when it comes to the warranty. Typically, you can expect warranties between 10 to 20 years, although some brands offer lifetime warranties, while others have considerably shorter warranty periods.
The Best Foam Mattress for Kids
When it comes to foam mattresses, Trapskin suggests the Mlily Dream mattress, a top seller in his San Diego store. “It is competitively priced and firm enough for great support but still provides excellent pressure relief,” says Trapskin.
MLILY Dream
MLILY
$599
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The Best Natural Mattress for Kids
For a natural mattress, Trapskin recommends the Natural Escape mattress from My Green Mattress. “It provides great support for growing kids and the latex is durable enough to last them through high school and beyond. There’s no off-gassing to worry about and it also doubles as an excellent guest bed.”
Natural Escape Organic Mattress, Twin
My Green Mattress
$989 (was $1,099)
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The Best Hybrid Mattress for Kids
Trapskin top pick in the hybrid category and his go-to recommendation overall is the Helix Kids mattress. “What makes it great is that a lot of thought was put into the construction,” Trapskin explains. “This is a two-sided mattress where you sleep on one side until age eight and then flip it to the other side. Helix understands that comfort preferences change as we age.”
Trapskin says that parents will appreciate the 100 night trial, which provides a full refund in the event that you don’t like your mattress and adds that the Helix “also has an antimicrobial and water repellant design to help with accidents.”
Helix Kids Mattress, Twin
Helix Sleep
$559 (was $745.33)
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Another highly recommended option in this category is the Saatva Youth mattress which also features a flippable design, and includes a bacteria-reducing treatment called Guardin, giving it added protection from accidents.
Saatva Youth Mattress, Twin
Saatva
$795
Buy Now
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