Looking for the safest and most restful sleeping surface for your child? Wondering whether memory foam mattresses are safe for children?
If you have any concerns regarding the safety and comfort of your little one, we’re here to clear things up and help you make the right decision for your child and their sleeping needs.
From the best types of mattresses for children, to the key considerations to look out for, our guide on memory foam mattress safety for kids has all the answers...
Is a Memory Foam Mattress Good for a Child?
The main features a child needs in a mattress for healthy sleep are spinal support, a comfortable surface and breathability.
Memory foam is perfectly safe for children as long as you buy from a reputable source and it has been designed with children in mind with:
- Adherence to UK safety standards
- Breathable foam
- Special nursery foam for very young babies
Keep Your Child Safe at Night
If you’re concerned about your child’s safety at night-time, we’ve got some tips to help keep your mind at ease:
- Very young babies should sleep on their backs
- Young babies should not sleep with pillows or lots of blankets
- Sleep in the same room or use a baby monitor
- Your baby or child should sleep in an appropriately sized bed
- Install a side rail to prevent toddlers falling out of bed
Please note - we are not medical professionals, any advice is anecdotal. Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s safety.
Memory Foam Mattress Concerns Debunked
It’s time to put your worries to bed...
Memory Foam Sinkage is Dangerous
Memory foam mattresses are designed to contour to the sleeper’s body, providing tailored comfort and support. A memory foam mattress for children is designed for optimum support and will only react to the weight of your child. In fact, this quality minimises disruptions when they toss and turn throughout the night.
Memory Foam is Too Hot
While memory foam of the past had a reputation for getting too hot, new innovations in foam technology have rectified this.
For example, our CoolBaby Cot mattress is constructed with fast-drying Coolmax fabric which reduces heat and moisture build-up to keep them cool. All of our children’s mattress covers are easily removed and machine washable to keep things fresh.
Memory Foam Chemicals are Bad for Children
All of the kid’s mattresses in our range are compliant with UK safety regulations and are completely safe for little ones.
We use breathable nursery foam which has been formulated with young children in mind for our cot bed mattresses, ensuring your baby is safe in bed.
Memory Foam Mattress Benefits for Kids
Memory foam offers a whole host of benefits that can help your little ones sleep well, all night long.
- Personalised support and comfort
- Durable, long-lasting materials
- Dust mite defence
- Pressure relief
- Promotes healthy spinal alignment
- Hypoallergenic
- Movement absorbing to minimise disruptions to sleep
- Easy to care for
Another benefit to our mattress collection is that the covers are removable and machine washable to keep them fresher for longer. However, we’d recommend using a mattress protector to guard against any night-time accidents.
How to Choose a Mattress for a Child
When looking for the best mattress for your child, there’s a few key factors to consider;
What is the Best Mattress Type for a Child?
Pocket sprung mattress or foam, which is best? This comes down to your child’s sleeping preferences, their weight and sleeping habits.
Innerspring mattresses tend to be less long lasting and the springs can become uncomfortable overtime. If your child prefers a bouncy feel, opt for pocket springs or a hybrid model which can offer better support.
Age and Mattress Size
Babies and very young children will need a mattress that fits into their cot.
Our cot bed mattresses come in two sizes: W60 x L120 x D10 and W69 x L139 x D10.
As your child grows, they will need a larger mattress that fits on a small single or single bed. However, the more room to stretch out the better and if your child is lucky enough to have a large bedroom, our CoolKids range goes from small single to small double and double mattress sizes.
What’s the Best Mattress Firmness for A Child?
Generally speaking, a medium soft to medium firm mattress is suitable for children. However, the perfect firmness is dependent on your child’s weight and sleeping preference. For example, the heavier the child, the firmer support they will need.
Baby mattresses should not be too soft to keep them safe.
Sleeping Position
The position your child tends to sleep in should have a bearing on what type of mattress you choose. Memory foam is well suited to side sleepers as it provides cushioning around pressure points such as shoulders, hips and ankles.
If your child sleeps on their front, you may want to consider a firmer mattress to minimise spinal curvature.
Allergies
Dust mite allergies are fairly common among children. If your child has allergies, avoid open coil or innerspring mattresses as they are a breeding ground for dust and mites.
Eco friendly natural latex is a good option, but pricey. The more affordable alternative is hypoallergenic memory foam which provides a barrier against dust and mites.
Budget
Everyone wants the best for their children, and providing a comfortable and supportive mattress for sleep is important for their health and wellbeing.
However, a quality mattress doesn’t have to cost the earth. Our baby and children’s mattresses start at just £54.99.
If you have a bigger budget to play with, our CoolKids hybrid mattress combines the bounce and support of springs with the comfort of memory foam. This mix of materials offers optimum breathability and spinal alignment.
The Gift of a Good Night’s Sleep
If you’re ready to buy a mattress for your child, our collection of children’s mattresses come with a 100-night sleep trial and a price match promise.
Browse our range of kids mattresses to get started.
