A child’s bed should be designed with the safety of your child in mind. Safety features vary widely from one style to another. Understanding the benefits of a safety bed will help you determine which features are essential for your child. The space between the perimeters of the bed rails, between the rail supports and the floor, and under the rail should be less than 4 3/4 inches. A mattress with a higher safety rating than this is recommended for younger children.

A safety bed will prevent a child from rolling out of bed at night. Also known as institutional beds, safety beds are designed to prevent kids from escaping from their beds. They are typically used for kids with special needs, hyperactive children, and medically fragile kids. Some of the safety features of these beds are listed below:

A safety bed with a hi-lo adjustment feature will allow you to lower or raise the mattress surface. This is useful if you need to transfer your child from a wheelchair to the bed, and will enable you to watch them enter the bed. These beds also feature knee sections and articulation. The rail height protection is greatest when the bed is lowest, and decreases as it is raised.

The thickness of a mattress depends on how your child sleeps and what position they prefer to sleep in. Some children prefer a softer mattress while others like a firmer mattress. A firm mattress may help your child move around the bed more freely, while a softer mattress may give them more cradling. Ultimately, you need to decide which type of mattress is right for your child.

What Are the Different Sizes of Beds For Children?

The size of your child’s bed depends on the child’s height and growth potential. Consider how he or she behaves on outdoor playground equipment and the height of your child’s sitting position. When in doubt, consider a Floor bed. It might be a good idea to buy a twin XL mattress instead. Then, you can add a twin XL to the bed as your child grows.

Full-Size Mattress

A full-size mattress for children’s beds is a great way to provide your child with a comfortable sleep. The thick coil construction ensures that your child will not roll off the bed. These mattresses are made of high-quality materials, and they are often sold with a warranty and 100-night sleep trial. If you are shopping for a new mattress for a child’s bed, read on to learn more about the different options available.

Twin XL Mattress

If your child is tall, he or she may need a twin XL mattress. Twin mattresses are typically 38 inches wide and 75 inches long and cover 2,850 square feet of surface area. However, twin XL mattresses are 40 inches wide and 80 inches long, making them three times as large. This size is ideal for teenagers who may sleep alone or with other people. This type of mattress may also be the perfect size for an older child who needs extra legroom.

Floor Bed

The first thing to consider is the child’s height and potential for growth. Your child’s ability to climb and maneuver around furniture should help you determine the proper size. Consider your child’s behavior in outdoor playgrounds to determine their comfort level. Ideally, your child will sit at least hip-height. If this is not possible, you can buy a lower bed. Otherwise, you can consider Murphy style beds.

Image Credit: Nectarsleep

How Do I Choose the Right Bed Size For My Child?

Your child’s size will determine which type of bed will be appropriate for him or her. It’s important to consider both current height and growth potential. Consider whether your child is capable of climbing and maneuvering around furniture. It’s also important to note if your child is still a toddler and whether they’re ready for an elevated bed. Your child’s behavior at outdoor playgrounds may also indicate whether or not your child is ready to move up to an elevated bed.

Test the Density of The Mattress With its Hardness

Most mattresses are rated from one to 10 on a scale of firmness. Hard mattresses are usually more comfortable. The firmness of a mattress is based on a number of factors, including weight and sleeping position. Side sleepers need a soft mattress with support and pressure relief, while back sleepers need more firmness.

Firmness Level of a Mattress: When selecting the firmness level of a mattress, take into consideration the weight of the person using it. If the individual sleeping on the mattress is overweight, a soft mattress may not be ideal, so the firmer the mattress, the better. Also, people with mobility issues need a firm mattress. A child can grow quite quickly, so it’s important to choose a firm mattress. You can refer to the mattress firmness guide before buying one for your child. 

Thickness of Mattress: Generally speaking, if you’re under 130 pounds, you can choose any thickness of mattress. However, if you weigh more than that, you should choose a mattress with a higher firmness. Firmer mattresses can relieve pressure points but too soft or too hard a mattress can cause pain or joint aches. Mattress density is usually rated on a scale of one to ten.

Mattress for Child: When selecting a mattress for your child, you should pay attention to its firmness and feel. If you feel uncomfortable, adjust the firmness of the bed to accommodate the changes. The firmness of a mattress can be changed by adding polyfoam or using a different type of materials. For instance, if your child is a back sleeper, it’s best to choose a medium-firm mattress.

Ultra-Soft Mattress: Generally speaking, a 9-tenth mattress is considered ultra-soft, and a one-hundred-ten mattress is considered too firm. While a one-hundred-ten-firm mattress would provide little support to the average sleeper, an eight-ten-thousand-ten-thousand-ten-percent mattress would still provide plenty of signage.

Conclusion

One thing that will determine which size bed to get for your child is his or her age. Young children spend most of their time playing, so a large bed will not be as necessary. However, older children may spend more time sleeping and lounging in their bed. It is important to get your child the correct size bed so that they are comfortable. Read on for some important tips on selecting the right bed size for your child.