When your child doesn't get a good night's sleep, neither do you. That's why it's important to select your child's mattress carefully. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found an important link between lack of sleep in children and the chance of becoming obese, noting that children who didn't get quality sleep had a 92 percent higher risk of obesity later in life. Give your child a solid start by purchasing a mattress that is comfortable and supportive to provide the best sleep experience possible.
Step 1
Choose a mattress made of organic cotton so your child can rest easy. Some materials, such as polyurethane foam and PVC, can cause a reaction in your child or have him inhaling chemicals all night long. Latex mattresses are often popular but can cause an allergic reaction in children who are sensitive to latex.
Step 2
Test the mattress out with your child. Although you may prefer a firmer mattress, a softer mattress is ideal for a child's growing body, says SleepSquad.com. A soft mattress will cradle and conform to your child while she sleeps, giving her better support and a more comfortable night. Test at least five different mattresses, and ask your child which one she prefers.
Step 3
Choose a mattress that comes with a box spring that offers a low profile. Although higher beds may be fashionable, a lower mattress and box spring can help your child feel more independent by enabling him to get in and out of bed without assistance to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. Although some parents prefer toddler beds for this purpose, a lower profile mattress and box spring with a bed rail is just as safe and effective.
Step 4
Ask the mattress salesperson whether the mattress has been treated with a flame retardant; if not, find out whether a flame retardant can be sprayed on the mattress before delivery. The flame retardant is the same type of material that is sprayed on children's pajamas to make them less flammable. Ask for this feature to keep your child safe as she sleeps at night, suggests TheDailyGreen.com.
Step 5
Avoid giving your child a hand-me-down mattress that isn't supportive enough for you or any older children in your family. Just because your child is younger doesn't mean he doesn't need the support of a high-quality mattress, notes the Better Sleep Council. Hand-me-down mattresses are typically worn and unsupportive, so it's best to purchase a new one for your growing child.
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