Sleep. Most of us aren’t getting enough and it can be an even touchier subject for families with little ones. Bedtime tantrums often disrupt our night-time routines and lead to poor sleep on both sides of the equation.
As your child grows, regular, quality sleep is so important for their healthy development. To help them sleep through the night, whatever their age, finding the right mattress for their sleeping needs is vital.
But, with so many different types out there, it can feel overwhelming working out what’s best. That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide on the best mattress for kids and how to choose them.
How Much Sleep Does My Child Need?
We all know that children need more sleep as they grow and develop. But how much is enough?
We thought we’d provide a rough guide on how much sleep children of all ages need to be their best, bubbly selves;
1-5 Months
Daytime: 4-8 hours
Night time: 8.5-11 hours
6-12 Months
Daytime: 2.5-3 hours
Night time: 11 hours
1-5 Years
11-12 hours per night
5-10 Years
9.45-10.45 hours per night
11-15 Years
9-9.45 hours per night
The Effects of Poor Sleep on Children
If kids don’t get the hours of shut eye they need, it can lead to a variety of problems;
- More tantrums and outbursts
- Heightened emotions
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hyperactivity
What is the Best Type of Mattress for a Child?
With a growing number of mattress types available, we thought we’d start off by explaining the pros and cons of each one.
Spring or Open Coil Mattress
Cheap and cheerful, open coil mattresses are made up of wire coils and make a decent quick fix. However, coils can become uncomfortable over time, sagging quicker than other mattress varieties and developing an irritating squeak. With wriggly little ones around, squeaky springs are best avoided!
Pocket Spring Mattresses
The next step up from your standard coil mattress - pocket sprung mattresses are made up of individual springs enclosed in their own fabric pocket. This provides better, targeted support for the different parts of the body.
Latex Mattress
Latex mattresses are often chosen for their hypoallergenic properties and eco-friendly credentials. However, latex mattresses can be on the more expensive side. Great if your child suffers from allergies, not so great if you’re on a budget.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Supportive memory foam mattresses mould to the shape of your body to help maintain natural spinal alignment and provide pressure relief. Memory foam is also seriously long lasting so well worth the investment! Memory foam is a great choice of your child tosses and turns in the night thanks to its excellent movement absorption abilities.
Hybrid Mattress
A clever hybrid mattress combines two or more types of mattresses in one. By combining the breathability of pocket springs with a luxurious memory foam comfort layer, hybrid mattresses can solve a range of sleeping problems.
The Child Mattress Buying Guide: What Type of Mattress is Best for Kids?
When choosing the right mattress for your child, there are a few key features to look out for. We’ve put them together in one handy guide to help you on your mattress buying journey.
Mattress Size
The first thing to consider is what size of mattress you need for your little one. As you may have noticed, children have a habit of growing quicker than you expect, which is why opting for a slightly larger size is best if you don’t want to have to replace it in a few months’ time.
Here are some standard mattress sizes for babies and children;
Cot Mattress
Dimensions: W60 x L120 x D10
A cot mattress is designed for babies and to fit a standard cot.
Cot Bed Mattress
Dimensions: W69 x L139 x D10
Perfect for babies and small toddlers, a cot bed mattress is designed to fit into a larger cot bed.
Small Single Size Mattress
Dimensions: 76 x 190cm
A small single mattress fits beds made for small children, making it a great option for children just out of toddlerhood.
Single Size Mattress
Dimensions: 90 x 190cm
A single mattress will suit growing children and teens.
Small Double Size Mattress
Dimensions: 120 x 190cm
For larger teenagers or for children who like a little extra wriggle room, a small double mattress can provide the stretching space for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Double Size Mattress
Dimensions: 135 x 190cm
Maybe they have a large room in which a single bed would look out of place, or share the bed with a sibling? If you want to treat your older child or teenager to a luxurious sleeping experience- a double mattress makes a great choice.
Mattress Firmness for Child
The ideal mattress firmness for your child is dependent on their sleeping preferences, however, a medium soft or medium firm mattress should work well for most children, providing a good balance between comfort and support.
Remember- the heavier the child, the firmer the level of support needed.
Materials and Fillings
Generally, high quality materials and fillings improve the longevity of your mattress.
If your child suffers from allergies, materials and fillings should be an important consideration.
Hypoallergenic materials such as memory foam are ideal for allergy sufferers (more on this below!)
Mattress Thickness
As children are lighter than adults, mattress thickness isn’t as important in terms of comfort.
However, mattress thickness affects the height of your child’s bed. If it’s too high, it could make it difficult to get in and out of. This could also present a safety risk if toddlers fall out of bed during the night.
Check out our mattress thickness guide for more information on the subject.
Mattress Density
If you opt for memory foam, the density of the mattress is a good indication of the quality. Memory foam density refers to the weight and volume of the mattress which is measured in kg/m3.
Mattress Durability
Mattress durability is a tough one when it comes to kids’ mattresses. On the one hand, you want to buy a quality mattress that will last the distance, while on the other, your child will grow out of the mattress at some point.
Finding the right balance between durability and price is key.
Memory foam is a highly durable mattress material, able to withstand the rough and tumble that often comes hand in hand with boisterous little ones. And you might be surprised at how affordable it can be!
Mattress Cover
Mess tends to be a way of life when it comes to living with little ones. Spills and stains are inevitable, so choosing a mattress with a removable, washable cover is essential.
Mattress Price
Usually the deciding factor when it comes to picking a mattress- we’ve made our kids mattresses as affordable as possible with factory direct prices made in our UK based HQ.
This way, families on a budget don’t have to compromise on mattress quality.
How do I Choose a Mattress for My Child?
All children are different- from the way they play to the way they sleep. That means finding the right mattress is personal.
Age
Naturally, the first thing to consider is the age of your child to determine the size of mattress you need. Take into consideration their growth rate as height and age don’t always correlate.
Temperature
Lots of kids get too hot during the night- resulting in strewn covers and tantrums. The right mattress could avoid this situation all together.
The Coolmax mattress covers we use in our children's mattresses keep heat and moisture at bay to keep little ones cool and dry throughout the night.
Motion Absorption and Noise
If you’re the proud parent of a wriggler, a mattress with noise minimising and movement absorbing properties may be your new best friend. This is especially important if they share a bed with a sibling, helping both to sleep undisturbed.
Avoid squeaky springs and opt for memory foam instead!
Allergies
For children suffering with allergies, their mattress could make a surprising amount of difference to their quality of sleep.
Traditional spring mattresses are a breeding ground for dust mites, allowing dust and mould to creep into the many crevices within the mattress. The construction of memory foam is tightly packed, keeping out dust mites and providing a hypoallergenic respite.
Sleeping Position
If you’ve noticed your child tends to sleep on their back or side, this could affect they type of mattress they’re best suited to.
For example, side sleepers need extra cushioning on shoulders and hips, which a memory foam layer can provide.
Is a Memory Foam Mattress Good for a Child?
While memory foam is often seen as being an expensive option, there are actually lots of affordable options out there.
Memory foam has a wide range of benefits to help your little one sleep peacefully throughout the night;
- Optimum support and comfort
- Durable
- Protects against dust mites
- Pressure relieving
- Great for side sleepers
- Promotes healthy spinal alignment
- Hypoallergenic
- Absorbs movement
- Easy to care for
Best Mattress for Children
Now we’ve covered all the features to look out for, it’s time to get down to the best mattresses for kids- whatever their age.
What is the Best Mattress for Newborns?
When it comes to providing a soothing sleeping space for newborns, finding safe, breathable fabrics is key.
Introducing the CoolBaby Cot Mattress
The CoolBaby Cot Mattress is made from 10cm breathable nursery foam, designed to be safe for babies. The removable, washable CoolMax cover is washing machine friendly and will keep your baby cool throughout the night.
Designed to fit standard baby cots, this mattress is comfortable, supportive and breathable.
Highlights;
- Baby safe foam
- Medium soft support
- Fast drying Coolmax fabric
- Hypoallergenic
- Dust mite resistant
- Washable cover
- UK fire safety approved
- 1 year warranty
- British made
Best for: Newborns
Best Mattress for Regulating Body Temperature
Our Coolbaby Cot Bed Mattress is crafted with intelligent Coolmax fibres which allow your baby to sleep easy without getting too hot in the night.
This mattress is designed to fit in larger cot beds.
Highlights;
- Medium support
- 10cm deep support
- Baby safe foam
- Coolmax fabric
- Hypoallergenic
- Dust mite resistant
- Washable cover
- UK fire safety approved
- 1 year warranty
- Made in the UK
Best for: Kids who get hot in the night
Best Single Mattress for Kids
Our CoolKids memory foam mattress contains a top layer of comfort memory foam on top of a supportive foam base.
The removable Coolmax cover is easy to wash and allows for breathability.
Highlights;
- Medium soft support
- 15cm deep
- 3cm memory foam
- Duo layer design
- 4G technology
- Hypoallergenic
- Dust mite resistant
- Washable cover
- 1 year warranty
- Available for 100 night sleep trial
- UK made
This mattress also comes in small double and double sizes.
Best for: Growing children
Best Budget Mattress for Children
If you’re on a tight budget, our essentials memory foam mattress in small single could be a wise choice. All the benefits of memory foam, without the hefty price tag.
Highlights;
- Medium firm support
- Removable, washable cover
- 15cm mattress depth
- Hypoallergenic
- Duo layer design
- 1 year warranty
- Made in our Yorkshire HQ
Best for: Affordable children’s mattresses
Best Mattress for Bunk Beds
If your child is desperate to sleep on the top bunk or in an unusually shaped bed, you don’t have to compromise on quality memory foam support.
We offer a custom service, tailoring memory foam products to your exact needs and requirements. Just get in touch to find out how we could help make your little one’s dream come true!
Sweet Dreams with Memory Foam Warehouse
We’re here to help the whole family get a great night’s sleep. Whether you’re looking for affordable memory foam or a hybrid mattress, we’ve got something to suit all tastes, sleeping styles and budgets.
Discover all of our mattresses for kids and babies here.
