Bed and Mattress Shopping For Your Child
Adults spend a lot of time thinking about and researching what type of mattress they should buy. Twin, double, queen or king. Spring, memory foam, pillow top or hybrid. The options can be endless. But how much time do you spend when choosing a mattress for your child?
Mattress needs for your child changes as they grow; Babies and teens have different needs. But don’t worry if you haven’t thought about it. This guide will help.
Crib mattresses for babies
Babies are fresh to the world and are still developing a lot of the spatial awareness and physical abilities that adults and older children have. Many children don’t even start rolling over until they are 4 or older. So, the crib mattress requirements for a baby really come back to safety.
Your crib mattress should be comfortable enough to keep your baby cozy while also keeping them safe on their back while they snooze. It should be firm and flat, according to Health Canada guidelines, and should fit tightly to the sides of your crib. Many baby mattresses today are made of eco-friendly and organic materials to limit the exposure of synthetic or toxic materials. Memory foam is a great option for babies because it’s comfortable and supportive while still being firm.
Other safety sleeping tips for babies include:
Using tight fitting sheets
Removing any loose materials like blankets, bumper pads, stuffies etc while they’re small. Your baby does not need a blanket while sleeping.
Make sure the room isn’t too hot
Sleep them on their back
Dressing them in simple and fitted sleepwear
For more information on baby sleeping safety, check out the Canadian public health guidelines.
Moving from a crib to a bed
Children are people. And just like us, they grow and develop at their own rate. Your child could be ready to move from a crib to a bed anytime between 18 months - 3 years old. Toddler beds are usually lower to the ground and have some arms on it to help prevent children from rolling out onto the ground. Now, some parents do move their children right to a twin bed with a railing. It’s really about what is best for you and your child. There are also some cribs that convert into a toddler bed so you keep the same mattress and sheets.
On the same note, it's important to move your child when it is best for them. Trying to force them into a toddler bed too early could impact their sleep quality and cause bedtime resistance. Because sleep is so important to the growth and development of your child, you want to keep sleep as safe, comfortable and consistent as possible.
When it’s time to move your child
It could be time to change your child’s bed if their chest is above the rail of their crib when they stand. This could cause an increased risk of falling out of the crib when they stand up. If they’re attempting to climb out of our crib, are close to 3 or have been asking for a big-kid bed, then they may be ready.Another thing to look at when assessing your child’s readiness to move to a big-kid bed is their sleep habits.
If you move your child to a toddler bed before they show signs of self control and healthy sleep habits, they could start to leave their bed and either stay up late or come to you in your room and disrupt your sleep as well.
Toddler bed mattresses
Same as with a crib mattress, the mattress for a toddler bed should fit snugly to the sides to reduce injury. Make sure that the mattress is also firm but comfortable. With your child growing up, you want them to have the proper support for their joints.
Encouraging proper sleep habits
At this point in your child’s life, it’s a great idea to get them started on sleep habits. Things like:
Brushing your teeth before bed every night
Not having tech in the bedroom
Doing something relaxing like reading a book or resting in bed before sleep
You should also be conscious of your own sleep habits. If your child sees you playing on your phone, staying up late, skipping any bedtime routines, etc, it could make it hard for them to do it themselves.
Another thing to be aware of is how they sleep. We know that back and side sleeping is healthiest, with stomach sleeping being the worst sleep position for your joints and muscles. Try to ensure your child is sleeping on their back and side – not on their back. These years can establish sleep habits that can last throughout their whole lives.
Teens and big beds
Leaving the toddler bed behind becomes less about age and more about sleep habits and development. Some things that can impact this change include:
A new baby being on the way and needing the space or bed
Your child outgrowing the toddler bed
The quality of the bed is decreasing and it’s time to get a new bed
Your child is getting to reach the max capacity for height and weight for the bed
They are asking for a twin/larger bed
As your child grows up, they may begin to ask to redo their room or to get different beds. Siblings may want bunk beds. At this point, no one knows what’s best except for you and your child.
Including your teen in their bed choice
As your child grows up, include them when shopping for a bed. Share our blog with them about mattress types so they can understand the language and bring them to the store to test out mattresses. The rules still apply from when they were a baby: firm and comfortable should rule. By this age, however, they will know if they’re hot sleepers, prefer more support or like a more firm mattress.
Most teens have a full bed, which is about 54”X75” so any child or teen under 6’ tall will be more than comfortable. If your child is really tall or needs more space, then a double bed or even queen would work too. By this point, they’re people so they’ll be able to talk to you about their needs or opinions.
Bed shopping for your child
While young children may not be able to tell you exactly what type of mattress they’d like or would need, it still does matter what they sleep in. Just remember: Firm, but comfortable is key. If you’re struggling to know what to choose, your doctor could give you some resources.