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Kids need a good night’s sleep in order for their young bodies to be energized, which provides a more focused mind and attention the next morning. The quality of sleep your kid gets every night also plays a significant role in their physical and mental development. And, your kid will only experience all of the benefits of sleep if they get to sleep on a mattress that fits their preferences.
Thus, your child needs a comfortable mattress with good body support in order for them to enjoy a good night’s sleep. The mattress they use should also fit their height and weight, as well as their preferred sleeping position. In that way, your toddler will have proper growth and development.
In this post, you’ll learn the signs when your child needs a new mattress. This way, you’ll know when to switch to a bigger mattress, as well as you’ll be guided in choosing the best mattress for your little one.
Your Baby Is Now Getting Older
As soon as your baby turns one, they’re already considered a toddler. By this time, they will have different needs and start to reach important milestones in life. Everything your child experiences during this time can mold their personality and significantly affect their growth. This stage spans until age three.
Experts highly recommend bigger mattresses for toddlers that measure 38 (width) by 75 (length) inches. When your kid reaches this measurement, more often than not, they already have outgrown their cribs. They might still fit inside their cribs, but they will likely be uncomfortable and stiff when they’re inside it. As your kid starts to age, keep in mind that their bodies will also grow bigger. So, how do you know if your toddler is ready to move into a regular bed?
Here are some helpful tips when your little one is transitioning from a crib to a bigger mattress:
- Usually, children can switch from crib to a toddler bed at 1 ½ to 3 ½.
- The best time to upgrade your child’s mattress from a crib mattress to a bigger mattress is as soon as they’re closer to three years old. If possible, start scouting for options before your kid reaches three. In this way, you can easily prepare for the purchase and find the best mattress that fits your kid’s needs the moment they ask for it.
- If your child is now too active or simply too big to sleep in a mattress, you can introduce and shop for the best twin mattress
- Don’t rush on shopping for a new bed when you first see your toddler climbing out of the baby crib. Doing this will only put money down the drain and increase your kid’s susceptibility to accidents and injuries.
Climbing out of the crib is normal behavior for growing kids. Once you see your kid exhibit this behavior, lower the crib mattress with the side rails higher. Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t immediately introduce your kid to a bigger mattress the moment they learn how to climb out of their cribs.
You can also consider adding several pillows on the side of the crib to discourage your kid from climbing off of it. If this proves to be ineffective and you see that your kid still goes out of their crib on their own, then you can go and purchase a bigger mattress for them. You just have to make sure that the height of the mattress from the floor is appropriate for your kid’s height.
Your Child Shows Sudden Change In Behavior
If your little one is suddenly having regular tantrums or always irritable, it’s one sign that they may not be getting enough sleep. Sleep is important for every human being, most especially for kids, since their brains and bodies are still growing.
Sleep deprivation can weaken your kid’s immune system and can even impair their bodily functions. A sleep-deprived kid will likely grow to be sickly, making it challenging for them to excel in school and socialize with their peers. If you want to steer away from this direction, spend some time observing your child if they’re having trouble getting sleep at night.
If you start noticing the behavioral changes, the possible culprit is the mattress. Sleeping in a small or uncomfortable mattress will cause your kid to twist and turn throughout the entire night and can lead to sleep deprivation. Your kid’s inability to sleep can also take a toll on your own health. More often than not, your kid will wake you up in the middle of the night and inform you that they can’t sleep at all.
Don’t allow you and your child’s day to be ruined because of this problem. If you notice your kid has been losing sleep regularly or has been waking you up for several nights in a week already, it might be best if you invest in a new mattress for them.
Here are other signs that your child is not getting the right amount and quality of sleep at night:
- Frequent tossing and turning
- Their back is soaked in sweat
- Frequently awakens at night to drink water or complains of increased thirst
- Cries early morning for unknown reasons
- Sleeps longer and better in the day
Your Child Is Already Toilet Trained
Your kid will have to visit the toilet several times during the night. Depending on their age and usual activities during the day, they will pee and poop when everyone else is sleeping. It is your role as a parent to wake up and help your kid do their business in the toilet. You don’t want to let your kid sleep in a wet or stinky crib, right?
But, if you’re one of the lucky parents who have successfully toilet trained their kid, it might be time to give them a new mattress. If they already have the discipline to wake up in the middle of the night and do their business in the toilet all by themselves, then you don’t have anything to worry about. When your kid is toilet trained, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your kid can sleep soundly even while in their own bedroom and on their own mattress.
It’ll also be easy to clean and maintain the condition of a bigger mattress if your kid is already toilet trained. You’ll also enjoy longer hours of uninterrupted sleep if your kid isn’t bothering you in the middle of the night because they want to pee.
Your Child Is Seemingly Not Happy Using the Mattress
Your little one might show and express discomfort using the mattress you’ve recently bought. As mentioned, sleeping on a wrong mattress may cause sleeping problems in your kid.
It could be something to do with the firmness or softness of the mattress. It might not be the right size or type of mattress for your child, or you probably need to find a new mattress with the best features that perfectly suit your toddler’s sleeping habits.
Here are some of the features you need to look for when buying a new and bigger mattress for your toddler:
- Density: Choose a mattress that’s dense enough or one you cannot push easily when you press your hands at the sides of the bigger mattress. The density of the mattress is a subjective decision, so consider bringing your kid when you’re buying one. This will allow them to test the mattress and find the best mattress that suits their preferences.
- Innerspring: Choose a bigger mattress with at least 150 coils made of steel for pressure support. This feature will support all of the pressure points of your kid’s body as well as all of their sleeping positions, making it easy for them to doze off and sleep soundly.
- Waterproof: Expect your toddler to still poop, pee, spill liquids, and throw up on their mattress. Make sure to choose a waterproof mattress or buy a waterproof cover when buying a bigger mattress. Aside from having peace of mind knowing that your kid is sleeping in a clean environment, a waterproof mattress or cover will also save you a lot of time as you won’t have to change your mattress the moment your kid spills their milk on it.
- Washable: Because mattresses, most especially those used by children, tend to accumulate dust mites due to frequent contact with spills and body secretions, it’s best to choose a washable mattress. A mattress that is easy to clean will likely encourage you to clean it as often as possible.
- Eco-friendly Or Green Materials: For your child’s health and safety, make sure to choose a mattress that’s made of eco-friendly materials, meaning without harmful chemicals, like flame retardants, VOCs, phthalates, and polyurethane. Look for the accepted standard CertiPUR-US certification.
Conclusion
When your little one grows older, they might need to transition from a crib to a regular mattress. Toddlers may have problems getting sound sleep at night because their mattress feels uncomfortable.
The best mattress for toddlers is bigger mattresses because their size is perfect for children. Also, high-quality mattresses are equipped with the best features that are perfect for toddlers.
