If you’re expecting a child or already have children, you may be wondering which mattress is right for children and babies. Mattresses for babies, children, and teens should be chosen with care, since their bodies are still growing. If a child sleeps on an unsuitable mattress, it can lead to postural problems and back pain later in life. Children therefore need the right support for their bodies, appropriate for their age. In this article, you’ll learn which mattress is best suited for each age group.
The Baby Mattress
Your baby's mattress should be natural and free of chemicals, and it should also meet all safety requirements. A mattress—especially one for babies and toddlers—should not be too soft, as this can be dangerous for your child. A sustainable mattress with the right firmness is the best choice for your baby.
The mattress should definitely be tested for harmful substances and certified with a recognized label. Examples of such labels include OEKOTEX. These certifications guarantee that the mattress is free of harmful substances and therefore safe for your child. Buying quality-tested products is especially important and advisable to protect your child’s health. Read more here about how to check children’s rooms and bedrooms for household toxins.
It’s not just the mattress that’s important for your child’s healthy development. The bed frame also plays a key role. It’s best to choose a bed frame for your little one that’s made from natural, untreated materials, such as naturally treated solid wood. Wooden bed frames are often finished with synthetic varnishes, which can be potentially harmful to your child’s health.
The Kipli brand offers your baby a baby mattress made of natural latex. Natural latex is a particularly high-quality natural material derived from the tropical tree Hevea brasiliensis.
The Kipli baby mattress has been tested for harmful substances and is certified with the OEKOTEX label. The cover of this baby mattress also carries a certificate.
The cover is made of organic cotton. This fabric is breathable, soft, and especially gentle on your child's skin. The mattress is manufactured in Europe, in northern Italy.
- The natural latex core has a density of 85 kg/m³ and provides the right level of firmness for your baby.
- A baby mattress can be used for children ages 0 to 3.
- Recommended sizes are 60×120 cm, 70×140 cm, and 80×160 cm
In our article on sustainable home decor ideas, you'll find inspiration for decorating children's rooms and for sustainable and healthy toys.
Mattress for children ages 4–6
A child of normal weight at this age typically weighs between 16 and 20 kg. A firm to medium-firm mattress is suitable for this age group. However, it is important that the mattress provide high point elasticity to offer the child optimal support. Mattress sizes for children ages 4–6 can be any of the following: 70x140 cm, 90x200 cm, 100x200 cm, or 120x210 cm.
Since every child grows at a different rate, it’s not possible to assign a specific height to a particular age. However, as a general guideline, a mattress for your child should be about 20 centimeters longer than your child’s height to allow for some extra space.
When buying a mattress, make sure the cover is removable and washable. For children of this age, it’s also a good idea to place a washable mattress protector over the mattress to keep it clean. This makes it easy to remove any stains or dirt. When choosing a mattress protector, you should also look for one made from natural materials, such as a mattress protector made from organic cotton. Cotton is naturally breathable. It has excellent temperature-regulating properties, ensuring a good night’s sleep.
Starting at age 5, the spine’s S-curve becomes increasingly pronounced and requires optimal support. Once children reach school age, a children’s mattress in the 90x200cm or 100x200cm size is particularly suitable, as it can be used well into adolescence and does not need to be replaced. This is very helpful, as children at this age are going through a period of rapid growth. This age group can sleep on mattresses that feature two integrated firmness levels. Here, too, you should opt for a natural and sustainable mattress.
A children's mattress for school-age children and teenagers should be firm yet resilient to provide the body with optimal support. For this purpose, we recommend, for example, a medium-firm mattress with two built-in firmness levels. This allows the mattress to be perfectly tailored to the needs of the child or teenager's body, so it doesn't have to be replaced after a few years but can continue to be used.
The transition to a youth bed usually occurs when the child is between 7 and 12 years old. Starting at this age, the slatted base also plays an important role, and flexible slats are recommended for children in this age group. In addition to the slatted base, a reversible natural latex mattress, such as the one from Kipli, is perfect for a teenager.
The Kipli mattress is reversible. One side of the mattress has a firmness level of 3 and consists of a 15-centimeter-thick layer of natural latex, providing your child with optimal support. The density of this side of the mattress is 85 kg/m³. This side of the mattress has 7 comfort zones and provides perfect support for every part of the body.
The other side of the Kipli mattress is softer and has a firmness rating of 2. This side features a 5-centimeter-thick layer of natural latex that allows you to sink in comfortably. The density of this side of the mattress is 65 kg/m³. This softer side of the mattress has a single comfort zone and conforms perfectly to the body.
Since teenagers don't weigh very much yet, this mattress may feel firm at first. However, this is ideal for their spines. As teenagers gain weight later on, they will sink in perfectly in the areas designed for that purpose—namely, the pelvic and shoulder regions.
A mattress protector can also be helpful at this age.
Conclusion
When choosing a mattress for children, it is especially important to consider the firmness and ensure it is appropriate for your child's body and age. The size of the mattress depends on your child's height, but it should be 10 cm longer at the head and foot ends than your child is tall.
Starting at age 7, a flexible slatted frame is recommended, and mattress protectors are also a good idea for children and teenagers. When purchasing a bed and mattress, look for natural and certified materials to avoid household toxins and ensure your child grows up healthy.
If you have any questions about our reversible natural latex mattress, please chat with us, call us at +49 (0) 32 21 22 96 570, or send us an email at kontakt@kipli.com.