Picking a new mattress for a young sleeper can be a little tricky. Not only do you have to consider what sort of bed they’d like at their current age, but you have to think about what kind of mattress will best serve them as their bodies grow and change into adulthood. So, do you invest in a bed you hope they’ll enjoy throughout their adolescence, or do you buy a few different models overtime to meet their shifting needs? No matter the route you go, there are a few characteristics that every kid’s bed must have.
First and foremost, the mattress has to have excellent pressure relief. Growing pains are real y’all and can cause serious tension at the shoulders and hips, so you’ll need a bed that can soothe these adolescent pains. Secondly, you’ll want a bed that’s ultra-supportive to ensure your child is able to find comfort no matter the position. This last point is especially important as sleep preferences can change a lot as children grow.
Still not sure where to start? No worries! Below, we’re going to introduce you to some of the best mattresses for kids on the market. We’ll then go over the methodology behind our picks and wrap things up with a few tips you can use to score the perfect bed for your little one.
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How We Picked
Now that we’ve gone through our picks, let’s get into the methodology we used to choose them. Below, I’m going to highlight the most important things to think about when buying a new mattress for the young sleeper in your life.
Mattress Size
A major factor to consider when selecting the best mattress for your kids is mattress size. The smaller the mattress, the quicker it’s outgrown, which can be a bit of a problem during dramatic growth spurts. Twin, Twin XL, and Full-size mattresses are typically the best choices for children.
Though Twin and Twin XL mattresses are more affordable, you’re likely to get more bang for your buck from a Full-size bed. Why? Because it’s compact enough to not overwhelm a young child, but big enough to accommodate growth well into adulthood, saving you money in the long run. Plus, with a Full, you can comfortably snuggle up in bed with your kiddo, which could be a nice bonus come storytime.
Thickness
Thickness, or the profile height of a mattress, is another one of the first things I think about when recommending beds for kids. Though the appropriate thickness for your child will depend a lot on how quickly they grow, there are a couple of standards to keep in mind during your search:
- Elementary school kids (5-10 years old) will do best with a profile that’s between 6-8”. This height is thin enough to make getting in and out of bed a breeze, yet thick enough to provide room for their growing bodies to press and sink into the structure. A bed with a 6” height is a pretty typical first “big kid” bed.
- Pre-teens (11-13 years old) will likely need to graduate to something between 10-12” thick. Again, this depends a lot on how quickly your child is growing, but by this age, they’ll start to exert more force at the stomach and hips, thereby warranting a deeper structure to handle the pressure. Growth spurts will also necessitate thicker foam layers for pressure relief at the shoulders and hips.
- And finally, teenagers (13-18 years old), who will best be served by mattresses with tall profiles of 12” or more. This is when the growing pains are going to be in full swing, so it’s crucial to provide your kiddos with enough room to sink into their beds for deep pressure relief at the shoulders, hips, and lower back.
Support
Support is another huge factor for young sleepers! The body’s changing a lot during this time, so it’s crucial to find a mattress that’ll support the body as it gets both heavier and longer. Look for tall support systems of either sturdy steel coils or high-density poly foam to ensure the bed’s going to lift the body up and out of the structure.
Pressure Relief
If support is one side of the comfort coin, pressure relief is the other. When I talk about pressure relief, I’m referring to a bed’s capacity for alleviating tension at sensitive spots along the body, such as the shoulders, hips, and lower back. It’s an important characteristic for all sleepers, but perhaps especially so for younger sleepers. Why? As we’ve discussed throughout this guide, their bodies are changing, so they need extra help soothing new aches and pains. Memory foam can be a great asset in this regard, as the material has a slow response to pressure that allows for plenty of body-contouring.
Sleepopolis Tips
Still not sure which bed to choose? We’ve got you! Below, we’ll take you through some of our tried-and-true tips for landing on the perfect mattress for your little sleeper.
- If you’re buying for a young child, we suggest going for a hybrid model. They likely haven’t figured out their preferred sleeping position, so will benefit from the bounce and mobility this kind of mattress provides as it’s built with both foam and springy coils.
- Teenagers could especially benefit from memory foam beds, as the material provides cushiony support to the shoulders, hips, and other sensitive spots affected by growing pains.
- Worried about doing the shopping solo? Involve your child! Though they may not know exactly what they want, going through the process together will ensure they feel extra excited about (and invested in) their new bed.
- Take advantage of trial periods! Youngsters can be a little wishy-washy when it comes to comfort, so scope out brands that have generous trial periods and easy return policies.
Wrapping Up
Well folks, that about does it for this guide to the best mattresses for kids! Whether you’re buying for a side-sleeping 17-year-old or an elementary schooler who hasn’t quite figured out how they like to doze, these picks and tricks should help get you on your way to securing the bed that’s going to be 100% right for your favorite dreamer.