Choosing a mattress for a child

Where to start and what to look for in a mattress when not all mattresses are the same.

Given a child can sleep up to 14 hours it is important to choose a good quality mattress. A good quality mattress can last till they are a teenager.

A good quality mattress can help a child receive a good nights sleep.

A child needs a good night sleep as they are busy growing and developing while they sleep.

So how do you chose a mattress for your child or baby?

As with adult mattresses a child’s mattress options come in a range of varieties.

There is as a natural fibre mattress, a one piece foam mattress, hypo allergenic mattresses, innerspring or even a latex innerspring mattress.

Children need a mattress that offers good support to facilitate a good night sleep. It is beneficial to have a good supportive mattress to ensure that their growing bones and spine stay aligned.

Most important is fit.

Limbs get caught in gaps, so take measurements of the cot for a perfect fit and this is important to measure the cot first as each cot may be slightly different albeit if only by mm. SIDS recommends nothing over a 25 mm (1 inch) gap.

There are many choices on the market with varying budgets to boot so it really depends on how much you wish to spend.

It is recommended, if at all possible, not buying a second hand mattress because while it is one thing to use/borrow one from a friend or family member it is another thing to buy one from a stranger. You have no guarantee of what the life of the mattress has been including if it has had urine accidents, if it came from a smoke free home, how it was stored, etc.

The price of mattresses will vary and it can be quite a considerable range. Foam mattresses are generally the cheapest with the deluxe innerspring, latex and even the natural fibre mattresses being the most expensive.

This is because the quality, and essentially the comfort, of the mattress will vary. You will find that generally the more you pay the better the mattress you get. This is not always the case but close and you get the latest in mattress covers and comfort, just as it works the same as for a mattress you would buy for yourself.

Besides the cost generally the comfort, the breath-ability and the longevity of the mattress.

For less than $100 you get a basic foam mattress in a zip off cover or sometimes a wipe-clean waterproof cover. If you were to take your budget up a little to over $100 and then it buys you basic innerspring mattress, and then a little more again you buy a innerspring made with a special anti-fungal and anti-bacterial fibre that prevents dust mites living in the mattress with a zip off cover. Or then you go to the deluxe mattress budget which buys you latex innerspring.

While this may seem an awful lot of money to pay for a cot mattress, think of comfort, the quality and the durability. It may seem a little soon to think about but also think about how many children are going to be using this mattress as this can mean more value for money in the long run if you plan on having more children.

It is well worth the extra is you can stretch it in your budget especially if you plan to have more than one child or if your child is going to use the cot as their bed for a period longer than 3 months.

Foam

• You should purchase it is at least 8-10 mm thick.
• Decide if you want the foam mattress with or without ventilation holes. Not all foam mattresses do.
• They are the cheapest option but also the least quality option.
• The PVC can make the bed hotter in summer and your baby may become more clammy.

Inner Spring mattresses

• These are coiled spring mattresses that offer more support and comfort for the baby and generally last longer.
• One side is generally covered in cotton breathable material and the other side may be covered in wipe clean type plastic.
• They are more expensive than the foam option.

Natural Fibre

• The interior of a natural fibre mattress is usually coconut fibre coated in latex, which is waterproof. The covers are soft cotton.
• They tend to be long lasting and hold their shape.
• They can be quite expensive compared to a inner spring or latex mattress.
• They aren’t as widely available as other mattress types.