Quality sleep is essential for proper development of your young ones. While a good snooze helps them grow healthy and active, a disturbed one upsets not only their z’s, but also yours.
Besides ensuring comfort for your child, choosing the right mattress size will be a pocket-friendly decision if you also consider your future plans.
That’s why industry professionals urge that you should always select a proper mattress size for your children.
Without further ado, let’s dig deeper into the details of the best mattress size for your children.
The Importance of Right Mattress Size for Kids
Picking up the right mattress size for your kids is very important. We know babies rapidly outgrow everything, but the transition isn’t always affordable in the case of a sleep surface.
From crib to the toddler bed in a year and then Full to Twin afterward; the change is quite pricey and disturbs the kids as well.
Why not cut corners and buy a bigger mattress today, so you don’t have to invest in a new one every couple of years?
Why Should You Skip Toddler Mattresses?
No doubt, toddler beds are money-saving, and they leave extra room to play for your baby.
The problem is that they’re only usable for a few years.
Moreover, in situations like welcoming a new sibling, co-sleeping, or managing a bigger baby, a 27x 52 inches long toddler bed can’t be the right fit for a tot.
In a couple of years, he/she will have to face one more shift to either a Twin or Full mattress.
Children may throw a tantrum at times due to this change, and that’s quite difficult for parents to settle down.
Skipping up to the toddler mattress doesn't just save you a lot of money; it also saves you the hassle of mattress replacement.
And, if you worry about your kid rolling off the bigger bed, you can always place the mattress on the floor or add side rails to the bed.
Essential Considerations to Choose the Best Mattress for Kids
The debate between Twin and Full mattress sizes has multiple facets. So for your ease, we have listed the most important factors below:
Toddlers can sleep in the crib until they turn 3, but pediatricians like Dr. Sears believe children are safe to transfer out of the crib between 18 months and 2.5 years.
However, if you are expecting a new child or when it seems difficult for your too active or grown tot to stay against the crib rails, it’s a perfect time to transfer them to their own bed.
The length of a mattress mainly depends on your child’s growth rate. A three-year-old’s average height is 37”, and it increases about 2” per year until puberty.
However, scientists estimate that 60 – 80% of your height is in your genes. If a child’s ancestry is tall, his/her height may increase suddenly.
Buying a big sized mattress for kids will help you deal with this immediate growth spurt. So, it’s essential to choose the mattress size per your child’s expected growth rate.
When it comes to enjoying the snooze, all children have their unique style. Some sleep all curled up into a ball, while others love to sprawl all over the sleep surface.
Considering your child’s favorite sleep position is important too. If your baby changes sleep posture frequently, you might want to opt for a Full-size kid mattress to prevent the risk of falling off the edge.
If your child shares his/her bed very often, you should consider buying a good mattress to accommodate everyone.
Some siblings share their sleep surfaces while some kids frequently invite friends for a sleepover.
Similarly, some children like to sleep with toys or a pet in the bed. In such situations, you’d be better off investing in a bigger mattress.
- Future Siblings and Your Living Space
If you’re thinking of having one or more children in the future and you’re planning a separate bed or room for each kid, then a Twin-size mattress is right for your kid(s).
However, with a small house and no plan to shift, a Full bed will take up less space and offer enough space on the mattress for each kid.
We have outlined below each bed size, and its suitability ratio for your baby.
Twin vs. Full — Mattress Size Comparison
1. Twin or Twin XL Mattress Size
With the dimensions of 38” x 75”, Twin mattress can happily accommodate your little one through the tweenage. It also fits easily into big-kid beds, daybeds, guest beds, and bunk beds.
A Twin mattress is the right fit for your child when:
- You have a single child and are not planning more.
- You don’t keep pets.
- Your child sleeps in one place all night.
- You have a small living space.
The best time to change your kid to a Twin-size mattress is when they get closer to three.
However, if your child’s growth ratio suggests a taller physique, buying a Twin XL will be more appropriate. Its 5-inch taller build (38” x 80”) is best for the child’s growth spurt period.
2. Full or Full XL Mattress Size
Full mattresses, having the dimensions of 53” x 75”, are about a foot wider than Twin sleep surfaces. Although they cover more space, Full-sized beds have many benefits over Twin mattresses.
A Full mattress is the right fit for your child when:
- You have bed-sharing twins or siblings.
- Your child likes to spread out in sleep.
- You have a larger living space.
- The kid sleeps with a pet.
- Your child is pre-growth spurt.
Moreover, if your preteen sleeps like a starfish or rotates a lot while asleep, this wide mattress will be enough to manage the movements.
Similar to Twin XL, if you have tall height in your genes, you should go for a Full XL mattress size. With the dimensions of 54” x 80”, they are best to accommodate tall tweens.
Effect of Growth Spurt on Mattress Size Selection
Adolescence is an important period.
While kids bear many physical changes, their preferences and concerns also switch.
Right mattress selection can help them cope with these changes better.
Toddlers need a thin and firm mattress. A memory foam sleep surface with no more than 8-inch thickness works best for them.
Preschoolers and tweens require exceptional pressure-relief and ideal support to deal with their growing pains.
A standard 8-inch thick latex mattress with the pillow-top surface is right for them. It gives enjoyable comfort and superior pressure relief.
Though growth is strictly genetic, nearly all kids hit pubertal spurts near 10.
For girls, it begins between the ages of 8 to 13 and for boys, between 10 to 14. Boys suddenly increase in their height, while girls tend to gradually grow.
For teenagers, the hybrid mattresses with 10 to 12-inch height work best. However, it’s better to consider their personal preferences for comfort and support.
We hope that with this detailed guide, you can make a well-informed choice to rack up the best mattress size for your kid.
Visit your nearest showrooms with your kids and ensure the best fit before buying.
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Meet The Author:
Shanir Kol
Shanir Kol, founder and CEO of SleePare, pioneered the “Try and Buy” model in eCommerce, enhancing mattress shopping by combining in-store trials with online purchases. Launching in 1999, his company focuses on customer satisfaction and eco-friendly practices, aiming to minimize mattress waste and expand sustainably.