Children—though certainly not all of them—have this incredible ability to fall asleep anywhere, even in environments that are sometimes noisy. Furthermore, a young child does not complain of muscle aches or a poor night’s sleep, as they are unable to express these sensations since they neither know how to interpret them nor understand the cause-and-effect relationship.
A child who doesn't sleep well wakes up tired and is more likely to be irritable or restless during the day. But they may also have trouble falling asleep (and no matter how many bedtime stories you tell, it won't make a difference) or may wake up several times a night.
So while knowing how to choose a mattress is essential for adults, this consideration is just as important when choosing a mattress for our little ones.
We'll explain everything you need to know about this topic to ensure that your child—and, incidentally, you as parents—enjoy restful nights of sleep without nighttime awakenings that disrupt the quality of sleep for the whole family.
Criteria for Choosing a Children's Mattress: Size
Choosing a mattress for a child involves more or less the same criteria as choosing a mattress for an adult. In short, it’s about buying a mattress that’s suited to the child’s body type. Easy to say, you might say, because children are always growing!
That’s true, but rest assured: a high-quality, well-chosen mattress won’t become obsolete after just a few years. Technology in the bedding industry has made tremendous strides, and mattresses are now much more adaptable. The only factor you shouldn’t overlook when considering a child’s growth is the mattress size, as several models are available: widths of 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 cm (since the length is standard at 190 cm, there’s no choice to be made in that regard).
It’s certainly tempting to want to get a small bed for a young child—just in case they fall out or to keep them from “getting lost” in their bed at night. Believe it or not, this happens much more often than you might think. But the downside of choosing a bed (mattress and box spring) that’s too small is that it will become obsolete more quickly. On the other hand, there’s no point in choosing a double bed in anticipation of their teenage years or young adulthood, since a mattress has a lifespan of 10 years.
Therefore, the size of your child’s mattress depends on their age and body type, just as does the choice of firmness. For a young child (ages 4 or 5 and up), an 80-cm mattress seems to be a good compromise. For a child 10 years old or older, you can choose a standard 90-cm single bed. The size of the bedroom shouldn’t be a deciding factor, but it goes without saying that it’s still an important consideration, especially if you don’t plan on moving your child to a different room.
Criteria for Choosing a Children's Mattress: Density
A mattress’s density determines the firmness of its support. This factor is important for ensuring proper body support, especially since children are constantly growing. Just as a mattress that is too soft or too firm isn’t ideal for an adult’s back and neck, the same is true for children. The spine must be properly aligned to avoid tension or pressure points on certain areas of the body (most commonly the pelvis and shoulders).
What mattress density should you choose for a child? While the answer to this question is complicated for adults (depending on the sleeper’s weight and height), it’s much simpler for a child. Since children are still growing, changes in their weight correlate with changes in their height, so their weight is distributed evenly across the mattress, making the mattress, in a sense, adaptable to their growth.
Ideally, the mattress should provide firm support (firmness at the core of the mattress) and a soft, welcoming surface (contact zone). This promotes proper spinal development and ensures optimal comfort for your child. The mattress should conform to the natural shapes and curves of your child’s body.
We cannot give you the ideal density, because firmness depends primarily on the mattress filling.
Criteria for Choosing a Children's Mattress: The Filling
To put it simply, there are three main types of fillings:
- foam mattresses;
- pocket-spring mattresses;
- latex mattresses.
The density of the mattress therefore depends on the material used. To choose the right firmness based on the filling and the model’s brand, we invite you to consult the body type charts. However, it’s worth taking a closer look at the characteristics of each filling material.
A foam mattress has the advantage of offering a wide range of firmness levels. It is one of the most popular types of mattresses, and for good reason—it’s also the least expensive (less than 100 euros). Furthermore, there’s nothing to fault when it comes to comfort. But—and there’s more than one “but”—a foam mattress has some drawbacks:
- It comes from the petrochemical industry; as a petroleum-derived product that has undergone numerous chemical treatments, it is potentially harmful to health;
- to prevent the moisture trapped in the foam from escaping (sweat and the natural evaporation of body moisture at night, not to mention any “accidents” the child might have while sleeping). The moisture is then trapped in the mattress, leading to health issues (bad odors, mold, stains, etc.);
- to encourage the presence of mites and other pests (such as bed bugs) that thrive in damp areas, as well as increase the risk of developing allergies.
So, while the foam mattress is attractively priced, it doesn't seem to be the best choice for a child (or for an adult, needless to say).
Nevertheless, other options exist, such as the pocket-spring mattress, which consists of numerous springs individually encased in covers and provides comfort and support tailored to the specific area of the body resting on it. In addition, the presence of pocket springs helps ensure proper ventilation of the mattress. However, this type of mattress may also undergo chemical treatments, albeit to a lesser extent than a foam mattress.
So what’s the solution for a mattress that won’t affect your child’s health? A latex mattress—such as the children’s mattress from the Kipli brand—may be the answer you’re looking for. Latex is a natural material that has not undergone any chemical treatment (provided it is 100% natural and not synthetic latex), which gives it thermoregulatory, antibacterial, and anti-dust mite properties. Firm yet elastic, it provides medium-firm support suitable for a child.
Thus, more than the size or density of the mattress—which are certainly important—the key factor in choosing a mattress lies in its filling and its impact on children’s health, which is, after all, more vulnerable, as well as, incidentally, the mattress’s environmental impact.
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