A Good Children’s Mattress: Everything You Need to Know

A good children’s mattress is essential for healthy growth and development. But what exactly makes a good children’s mattress, and what should you look out for when buying one? Unlike adults, children sleep best on a mattress without zones — this makes the mattress flexible enough to grow with them. Handy! With so many different options available, it can be tricky to find the right one. Whether you’re looking for a mattress for a toddler bed or a cot, here’s everything you need to know.

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Why Is a Good Children’s Mattress So Important?

A good mattress plays a crucial role in the quality of sleep. Children aged between 3 and 5 need around 10 to 13 hours of sleep each day — that’s almost half the day! Children’s sleeping positions also differ from adults: they move around more and change positions frequently. So it’s important to choose the right children’s mattress carefully.

 

What Makes a Good Children's Mattress?

To help your little one sleep well, a children’s mattress needs specific features. One of the most important is that it should not have zones. Zoned mattresses offer support to certain pressure points such as the shoulders, hips and lower back. But since children are constantly growing, these pressure points keep changing. A good children’s mattress therefore has no zones, so it can adapt more easily as your child grows — making it the most ergonomic choice.

The Right Materials Make the Difference

If you’re wondering what kind of mattress is best for a toddler, start by looking at the materials. Natural latex is an excellent choice because it’s naturally antibacterial and resistant to mould. It also protects against dust mites and provides excellent ventilation — all essential for a good night’s sleep.


Temperature regulation is another key factor when choosing a mattress. A good children’s mattress with a natural latex core and a wool comfort layer creates the ideal sleep climate. The open cell structure of natural latex ensures great ventilation, while wool regulates temperature. This combination prevents your child from getting too warm or too cold during sleep. Wool can also absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture without feeling damp — a big plus for comfort!

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Children’s Mattress Size

Buying a children’s mattress — what should you look for? The size is a key factor. The most common children’s mattress sizes are:


• 60 x 120 cm for babies
• 70 x 140 cm for toddlers


When choosing a good children’s mattress, it’s important to consider different stages of development. Between the age of two and puberty, children grow an average of 6 centimetres per year. This directly affects the lifespan of the mattress. A mattress that fits a three-year-old may already be too small for a seven-year-old. That’s why it’s smart to choose a slightly larger size so your child can use it longer. In terms of thickness, 8 centimetres is ideal — it offers enough support without being too firm.

The Right Choice for Your Little One and for the Planet

Whatever type of mattress you choose for your toddler, make sure it has good ventilation and is made from natural materials. Natural latex is an excellent material for a children’s mattress thanks to its elasticity and resilience — it supports wherever needed. It also contains no harmful substances. And before you buy, also think about the impact on the planet. Look for mattresses with trusted certifications such as GOTS for organic cotton and QUL for natural latex. These labels guarantee quality and safety.

Sustainable Sleep from Day One

With a good children’s mattress, you lay the foundation for years of healthy sleep. So, what’s the takeaway from the question “what should you look for when buying a children’s mattress?”

 

• Choose a mattress without zones.
• Go for natural materials such as natural latex.
• Pay attention to temperature regulation and breathability.
• Choose a slightly larger size for longer use.
• Consider the impact on people, animals and the planet — look for recognised quality and safety labels.

 

Sources: slaaptipsvoorbabys.nl, Radboud UMC

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