Choosing a mattress for a child aged 3 years and older

Selecting the ideal mattress for a child three years of age and up is a crucial choice that can affect their growth and comfort. Children’s sleep needs vary as they get older, so it’s critical to choose a mattress that will support their developing bodies and encourage sound sleeping practices.

A good mattress should be safe to use, comfortable in a variety of sleeping positions, and offer sufficient support for a child’s spine. It should also be comfortable over time and strong enough to withstand the energy of an active child.

In addition, parents have to think about things like the mattress’s size, cleaning convenience, and appropriate firmness level for their child. Finding the ideal balance between comfort and support can have a significant impact on a child’s general wellbeing, mood, and quality of sleep.

Criteria	Recommendation
Mattress Firmness	Medium-firm for proper support
Material Type	Breathable materials like latex or foam
Size	At least 27×52 inches for growth
Hypoallergenic	Yes, to prevent allergies
Removable Cover	Preferably washable for easy cleaning
Certification	Ensure it meets safety standards

What is better: a spring or springless mattress?

The solution is clear in the case of newborns: they require a hard orthopedic mattress alone. However, a child three years and up already has a choice between two models: one from a spring group and one from a springless one. Both merit further investigation.

The system with movable springs hidden inside the frame gave rise to the name "spring group." The standard Bonnel block design has all of the springs connected, and is thought to be standard. In contrast, a pocket spring mattress has separate covers for each spring, which allow the springs to bend at points where pressure is applied.

The spring block has layers of filler on both sides, regardless of the kind of system.

• foam rubber or cotton filler is considered unacceptable, since it does not provide the necessary surface rigidity, accumulates and retains moisture, and cotton wool also falls into shapeless lumps;
• Bonnel mattress with its connected springs, children will certainly like it, since a favorite children"s pastime is jumping on it like a trampoline, but parents are unlikely to be delighted with the prospect of changing new bedding in the near future, because it is not designed for such acrobatic tricks;
• models with connected springs create a wave effect when turned over abruptly, and those that are cheaper, in general, are more reminiscent of a hammock than a hard bed, therefore they can have an irreversible harmful effect;
• in the unclenched position of the springs the structure contains a huge space in its thickness to "breathe", but during operation this free space gradually fills with dust, which can eventually become an allergen;
• Pocket Spring system under the weight of a child who has not reached adolescence, it may simply not bend as much as necessary, therefore it will seem hard and uncomfortable to the little owner.

A mattress without springs can have a single layer of filler or the same filler layered in multiple layers. Filler can be made from a wide variety of natural and synthetic materials. Although springless mattresses are generally thought to be more appropriate and cozy for a child’s body, there are some subtle differences that make the decision more difficult to make. Perhaps we should begin by discussing the benefits of these products:

• a springless mattress a priori has no internal voids that could accumulate dust;
• there is no wave effect, so even the most restless child who loves to spin in bed will be comfortable and safe in searching for the optimal sleeping position;
• springless mattresses do not sag exclusively in the center, so they do not resemble a hammock;
• even if a child wants to use a springless mattress as a hammock, this will not catastrophically damage the product – it does not have springs that could quickly wear out;
• if the child is not allergic to latex, a model made using this material will show impressive durability and will not require replacement due to wear.

Springless mattresses are generally faultless, but for various reasons, children older than three shouldn’t use certain types of fillers. Therefore, as previously discussed in the context of spring models, foam rubber and cotton wool do not provide the necessary level of rigidity; if they are safe for humans, then only for those whose musculoskeletal systems are strong enough.

A child who is allergic to any of the fillers in a mattress, such as latex or copra, should not purchase one because they can act as allergens.

We will discuss the so-called orthopedic mattresses in more detail later. Professional orthopedic mattresses are a type of bedding that are approved by doctors for use. Only two companies, "Toris" and "Askona," manufacture these mattresses; others do not possess the necessary certification. The other manufacturers, on the other hand, are, to use modern terminology, capitalizing on the hype and misleading credulous consumers.

Unless a traditional cotton or down feather bed is marketed as orthopedic, it would be unfair to argue that the deception is severe. But in most cases, discussing a mattress’s abstract orthopedic qualities is unrealistic and prevents an unbiased comparison of various models; instead, parents should simply purchase specialized children’s mattresses from reputable retailers.

Firmness and fillers

Selecting a mattress based on firmness is a personal preference, but it’s also a critical decision. A child’s body starts to gain weight quickly after three years old, and he or she frequently sleeps on his side. A medium firmness mattress is ideal, as too soft a mattress can cause the spine to sag like a hammock.

A child should not have too firm of a support because this will cause the spine to sag between the pelvic and shoulder regions.

It is essential to research the characteristics of each filler that is on the market separately. Since there are currently so many available, we are unable to physically cover the whole range, but we will at least go over the most well-liked ones.

• Ortofiber. Synthetics with the durability usual for such materials, but with atypical environmental friendliness and hypoallergenic properties. Ortofiber is able to "breathe", but does not accumulate moisture, and odors do not linger in it either. The material, among other things, also has some bactericidal properties, and with its many advantages it costs relatively little, which makes it a real hit among competitors.

• Polyurethane foam. Although this filler is in quite high demand, even for adult mattresses it is relevant only as one of the layers, and provided that the person sleeping on it has absolutely no problems with the spine. For a child over three years old, this material as a filler – neither full-fledged, nor one of several – is not recommended.

• NaturalForm. Another synthetic material, known under its trade name, which, in turn, clearly hints at its usefulness and compliance with the best orthopedic expectations. The list of advantages of such material is more than impressive: it is durable, has hypoallergenic qualities, "breathes" well, is environmentally friendly, is not subject to mechanical deformation, does not absorb moisture and odors, can be cleaned if necessary, cannot be considered a suitable environment for the reproduction of pathogens. In addition, it should be added that mattresses made from such a filler are recognized as comfortable according to the results of numerous surveys of small consumers. The only drawback of such a material is its price – this is a premium product.

• Coconut fiber (coir). Despite its overseas origin, this natural material is relatively inexpensive. It is environmentally friendly "out of the box", the density is as it should be, these qualities are accompanied by the ability not to absorb odors and moisture, as well as hypoallergenicity. At the same time, the friction of coconut layers against each other significantly reduces the service life of the product, therefore a good model is one where coir alternates with orthofiber.

• Latex. Discussing the advantages of latex filler, we can literally repeat what we have already written above. Of the obvious disadvantages – only that latex itself does not provide sufficient rigidity. This does not force manufacturers to abandon it completely, but in children"s mattresses, latex layers should alternate with other materials, and naturalform is often chosen as the preferred "partner".

• Foam rubber. This filler has no advantages other than its low price. It is simply unacceptable for a small child because it cannot serve for a long time, falls apart and falls apart, rots in conditions of high humidity, and is also an acceptable habitat for pathogenic microorganisms.

Choosing a fabric

When selecting a children’s mattress, upholstery is just as crucial because comfort can also be determined by touching the material, and a "breathing" filler ends up being useless. As a result, reasonable standards for covers are proposed, including high strength, long-lasting durability, breathability, and hypoallergenicity.

First of all, natural materials like cotton and linen satisfy the stated requirements, though their longevity may raise some concerns. Polyester is a great synthetic option because it doesn’t absorb moisture at all, is very easy to care for on a daily basis, and is reasonably priced.

Combination solutions are still a popular option; all of the top manufacturers’ lines feature a cotton and polyester jacquard weave. Please be aware that the cover might be removable or not. Even though models with removable covers are convenient for people who are not experienced with them to wash and remove, the best option is still a non-removable cover because only then will it fit the mattress perfectly.

Another solution to the washing issue is for them to purchase a mattress pad in addition to the mattress.

For a child three years old and up, selecting the correct mattress is crucial to their support, comfort, and healthy growth. A good mattress should fit the child’s bed frame properly, be composed of safe and hypoallergenic materials, and offer the right amount of softness for a comfortable sleep and firmness to support growing bones. Taking these things into account will help guarantee peaceful evenings and encourage healthy sleeping habits for years to come.

Sizes

When selecting the best option for a child, the mattress should precisely match the size of the bed. The sleeping area will eventually develop bulges if the edges hang down, and if the mattress is smaller than the bed, there will be more chance of hand injuries from the resulting voids. As a result, the bed’s precise measurements serve as the primary point of reference; the height, which ranges from 6 to 13 cm, is unrelated to them.

For a preschooler

Preschoolers occasionally sleep in baby cots for up to three years; in this situation, the size of the cot is your only restriction. Such a bed typically has a width of 60 cm and a length that ranges from 120 to 140 cm. Preschoolers typically have beds that are longer (between 130 and 160 cm) and slightly wider (between 70 and 80 cm).

For a schoolchild

Preschoolers should use the beds described above until they are approximately 11 or 12 years old, at which point they should purchase an adult bed. Its dimensions can be 80-120 cm wide and 190-200 cm long.

For non-standard beds

The fact that you can only find a mattress of the right shape online or at the same store where you purchased the bed makes deviating from the rectangular standard risky. Alternatively, you will have a lot of issues with this in general. The only logical course of action in this case is to have the product customized. Thankfully, a few manufacturers provide this service.

A child three years of age and older should have their comfort, safety, and development in mind when choosing a mattress. A quality mattress helps a child’s body grow while supporting good posture and sound sleep, all of which are essential for their everyday activities and general wellbeing.

Think about things like the materials, firmness, and size of the mattress. Select a mattress that is easy to clean, breathable, and provides sufficient support. In addition to lowering allergies, a hypoallergenic option can guarantee a clean sleeping environment.

You are making an investment in the comfort and health of your child when you take the time to choose the ideal mattress. Setting their needs first will assist in laying the groundwork for long-term beneficial healthy sleeping habits.

Related videos

Good sleep. What kind of mattress does a child need? DocDeti orthopedist Oleg Sazhnikov.

How to choose a mattress for a child. Find out which mattress is right for your child.

Which mattress to choose for a child? Review of children"s orthopedic mattresses / Citysleep Kaliningrad

Choosing a mattress for a child – options for newborns and children up to 12 years old

How to choose a mattress for a child? – Doctor Komarovsky

THE BEST MATTRESS | How to choose a mattress that does not cause back pain?