Children need a good sleep routine to rest and recharge themselves. But, to ensure that happens, you must be considerate about the type of mattress you opt for. There is no straightforward answer to selecting the best mattress for kids. It is because you must consider various factors to assess the same.
Kids between 1 and 5 years of age must sleep for around 10 to 14 hours, while kids between 6 and 12 should go for a sleep routine of 9 to 12 hours to ensure the healthy development of their mind and body. A comfortable floor mattress can contribute to achieving this sleep routine effectively.
Kids are pretty energetic, and they get tired at some point, so a good sleep time throughout the day or at night will result in their mindful development and growth. Therefore, you mustn’t compromise on any aspect when choosing the right mattress for them.
But what are the available options? Well, there are two specific options that you can count on, which include foam and spring mattresses. The foam mattresses’ most important perk is that they have no spring or bounce, so the kids aren’t inclined to jump over them and won’t hurt themselves.
On the other hand, spring mattresses are ideal for mobility due to their additional bounce. Thus, it is perfect not just for young children and older toddlers. In this article, you will get a clear insight into choosing the perks and demerits of both foam or spring mattresses for kids to help you choose the best pick.
How Do Foam Mattresses Help the Kids with a Good Night’s Sleep?
Foam mattresses have some unique benefits over spring mattresses. It is because they are thinner and bouncy but offer optimal support levels. They are reserved for use in the cot beds, where a firm surface is obtained for the young kids.
The best thing about the foam mattresses is they don’t have any moving parts or metal springs, ensuring they won’t fail. Moreover, this also eliminates the common noise issue where the springs might clank or clunk due to the toddler’s weight.
As per expert recommendation, you must seek foam mattresses for toddlers and infants, as they offer consistent support throughout the sleeping surface. The spring mattresses can be excessively bouncy, which might crumple at the edges, making them risky and uncomfortable for the kids.
How are Spring Mattresses Better for the Kids for a Good Sleep Routine?
Spring mattresses offer better thickness than foam mattresses and provide optimal support for older kids. With this mattress’s additional bounce, children can acquire better mobility, which means they can toss & turn more conveniently.
High breathability is the most evident factor that makes spring mattresses better for kids. On the other hand, foam mattresses are not preferable for the hot weather. By that, the spring mattresses, being thick in their design, offer your kids a better sleeping platform.
As per experts’ opinion, the spring mattresses are ideal for all older toddlers who are around three years old and young children. However, one of the drawbacks of spring mattresses is that they only offer a slight edge support once they are engineered with reinforced borders. Thus, the roll-off risk for kids is higher if they move all around the bed while sleeping at night.
What Factors you must Consider for Choosing One Among the Two?
Some of the factors that you must take note of while choosing a spring or foam mattress for kids are:
Age of Your Child
Depending on your child’s age, you can decide what could go well for your kid’s healthy sleep routine. Suppose your kid is small enough, below three years of age, it is better to go with foam mattresses, as it prevents roll-off risks and is more comfortable for them without any moving springs.
But, if your kid is older enough and doesn’t toss or turn too much in bed while sleeping, you can go with spring mattresses, as they are more comfortable and offer better body support.
Sleeping Position of the Kids
Your child’s sleep position will gravitate towards what you must consider for changing the mattress. Make notice of whether your child is a side or back sleeper. If your kid mostly sleeps on their side, go for the softer mattresses, which offer more contouring and support features.
But, if your kid prefers sleeping on their back, it is better to go with a firm mattress. Foam mattresses are considered to be softer than spring mattresses. So, if your kid is a side sleeper, do consider the foam mattress, but if they are a back sleeper, do consider a spring counterpart, as it will offer better weight distribution and spine support.
Sleeping Temperature
If your children tend to sleep hot at night, the foam mattresses could be better for them. The foam material has poor temperature regulation, which will absorb the body’s heat and lead the kid to sleep hot at night while being uncomfortable and sleep deprived.
You need a breathable mattress, and spring options are the epitome of this property. A spring mattress for a kid can make a significant difference as the temperature regulation property is quite efficient due to improved air circulation.
Active Nature of the Kid
It is one of the important factors because you ought to ensure the safety of your kids, as keeping an eye on them all the time throughout the day is not possible. If your kid is too hyperactive and prefers jumping on the bed as a fun activity, stick to foam mattresses as they have minimal bounce.
This way, you can ensure your kids won’t fall off the bed due to the excessive bouncy nature of the mattress. On the other hand, if your kid has understood the ‘No Jumping On Bed’ rule, you can get them a spring mattress to help them attain better comfort for a night’s sleep.
What are the Pros and cons of Foam and Spring Mattresses to Make the Final Call?
Now that you have the factors to consider, buying mattresses online for your kids will be easier for you. But, to give you an ultimate deciding factor, let’s sum up all the pros and cons of foam as well as spring mattresses to help you determine if they go well with your kids’ sleeping habits or needs:
Foam Mattresses:
Have a look at the positives and negatives of foam mattresses:
Pros:
- You get an excellent contouring effect.
- The motion isolation quotient is adequate when two kids sleep on one bed.
- It is a soft material but still offers substantial support.
- Available in various budget options.
- Preferred mostly for the side-sleeping kids.
- Optimal pressure relief around the problem areas.
Cons:
- Off-gas problems persist with most foam materials, releasing an unpleasant odour.
- Foam mattresses make your kids sleep hot by trapping the body heat.
- Luxury foam mattresses might be too expensive.
Spring Mattresses:
Here are some of the pros and cons of spring mattresses for you to count on:
Pros:
- Affordable mattress option
- It is responsive and comes with adequate bounce
- Provides firmer support for the back sleepers
- Optimal airflow for providing your kids with an incredible sleep experience
- It is highly supportive for heavier kids than the foam mattress
Cons:
- The motion transfer quotient is high.
- Springs might make noises over time.
- The sagging effect is commonly witnessed in cheaper models.
- The durability quotient might vary depending on the overall mattress quality and brand.
Final Verdict
Having clarity on the technicalities and the comfort features of foam and spring mattresses is what can help you come to a final decision. So, with the information stated above, run your detailed assessment on whether a foam or spring mattress goes well for your kids’ healthy sleep routine.
Firstly, you have to decide on what type of mattress will suit the comfort necessities of your kids. Secondly, you must choose the right brand and products to ensure high-quality output, which is a tricky part of the process.
Why spend so much time searching the internet for cheaper and low-quality products? Go with a trusted brand that offers the best quality mattresses for people of all ages. There are options like Sleepwell and Kurl on that are known for their consistent delivery of quality products.
Explore the various products from the top brands and understand their features and how they can serve your purpose.