A good night of sleep is very important, especially for children. It aids their physical and mental development and helps them recover from busy days of learning and growing!
A comfortable and supportive mattress is essential for making sure your young child gets the best night of sleep possible, so here we look at the best mattress options for toddlers.
What's the best type of mattress for a toddler?
A breathable and supportive mattress is best for your toddler. While babies are recommended to sleep on a firm and flat mattress, a toddler may prefer something a little softer and more forgiving. Therefore, a pocket spring mattress or a natural latex mattress can be great options for your toddler as these are still very supportive but have a bouncy feel.
The preferences of your toddler may change over time too - that is why flexible mattresses are a fantastic option for toddlers. For example, we have designed the Spring Mat - a flippable mattress that allows you to choose between a firmer, bouncier pocket spring side and a natural latex side for softer support. If your child’s preferences shift from firmer support to softer support over time, you don’t have to buy a whole new mattress!
It’s also a good idea to invest in a quality mattress for when you are on the go with your little one. A travel cot mattress is a great way to encourage restful, healthy sleep even when your child is away from the comfort of their bedroom.
What size should a toddler mattress be?
When they are ready, your child will switch from a crib to a toddler bed. According to The Sleep Foundation, most toddlers make the move from a crib to a bed between the age of 18 months and 3 years old. Signs that they are ready include being able to climb out of their crib, expressing the desire for a bigger bed, and being 3 feet tall or more. This can be an emotional step but it is also a very exciting one!
If your child needs to switch to a toddler bed, you will need to find a mattress that fits perfectly and also meets their needs now they are older. This may be a slightly bigger mattress than you had for your child’s crib. Here at Naturalmat, we can produce made-to-measure mattresses to the required dimensions so that it exactly fits your toddler bed.
What mattress materials are best for a toddler?
As well as the size and mattress type, you also need to keep materials in mind when choosing a mattress for a toddler. Young children can be particularly sensitive to any synthetic materials that may cause irritation, which is why we always recommend a natural, chemical-free and non-toxic mattress for toddlers (and for everyone!).
Natural mattresses are a more breathable option than synthetic mattresses and have the benefit of being supremely comfortable while still being made from natural and sustainable materials.
Some young children also suffer from allergies and choosing the right mattress to meet their needs will help them have a more restful night. A mattress that is naturally hypoallergenic is a great option, rather than one that has been treated with chemicals to give it hypoallergenic properties.
Our organic children’s mattresses are treated with an OEKO-tex certified, plant-based geraniol treatment - made from eucalyptus, lavender and lemon extract, which makes our mattresses bed-bug and dust-mite resistant, perfect for children with allergies.
Mattress protectors for toddlers
Your toddler may also experience bedwetting, so you will want to consider a waterproof mattress protector. This will make sure that your mattress lasts longer in case of any accidents! Our mattress protector is soft and breathable - made from organic cotton with a PU lining which creates a comfortable but watertight barrier between your child and their mattress.
We hope this guide to the best mattress options for toddlers and young children has been useful. If you are looking to find a mattress for your toddler’s new bed, you can take a look at our natural and organic children’s mattresses.
