Buying the Right Bunk Bed Mattress

Buying the right kind of bunk bed mattress is important…

…especially for your child’s bunk bed. A mattress that is comfortable, not too hard and not too soft, can be the difference between a restful night’s sleep and back and neck pain that can lead to long-term health problems. Because of a bunk bed’s unique design, comfort and size will determine the mattress that’s best for your child.

Measuring for Proper Bunk Bed Mattress Fit

Once you have chosen your child’s bunk bed furniture and frame, you’re ready to begin shopping for a mattress but make sure you have the measurements you need. You’ll want a mattress that fits snugly into your child’s bunk bed frame. Believe it or not, mattresses aren’t all the same when it comes to size. If a mattress way too small for the bunk bed frame, the risk of your child’s head, arm or hand getting wedged in the space between the frame and mattress increases, creating a potentially dangerous situation. A bunk bed mattress should also not be to thick. Thick mattresses that rise above the safe rails could allow your child to fall out of bed and be seriously injured.

Choosing the Bunk Bed Mattress

The modern mattress is made of coils or inner springs surrounded by layers of fabric and foam for cushioning. When it comes to comfort and selecting a mattress, the same rules for adults also apply to children. Bring your child with you and have your child wear loose, comfortable clothing to stores. Have your child lie down on each mattress in the same sleeping position he or she would at home, removing their shoes beforehand. Ideally, they should bring their own pillow to replicate the same sleeping situation they experience at home. A good indication of long-term satisfaction is if your child finds the mattress is comfortable after lying on it for fifteen minutes.

How a Bunk Bed Mattress is Made

Look for a mattress that provides a great degree of support since your child’s bones are still growing. Newer technology usually includes things like more coils,  thinner wire coils, even more inches of wire so beware because many of the older coils designs with thicker wire and fewer coils actually hold up better. Filling is another concern. Deeper wadding and better quality filling add to the comfort and support of a mattress and even look more expensive however this comfort can be short lived through rapid and premature settling.  Look for high density foams and more resilient fibers that will last longer. Speaking of high density or high resiliency – if choosing an all foam mattress, some doctors and pediatricians believe these are not the best choice for children and encourage parents to avoid memory foam mattresses because they can be too soft to support proper bone growth.  We would add that memory foam mattresses offer a variety of firmness’s just like coil spring mattresses.

Lets Go Shopping!

As you shop for a bunk bed mattress, it’s also good to keep in mind that children sweat a lot when they sleep. Be aware of the material used in the top layer of a mattress, or the quilt. A quilt made from cotton blends allows a mattress to “breathe,” leading to a more comfortable night’s sleep and a longer lasting mattress.

Once you find the mattress that your child finds most comfortable, make sure you purchase a waterproof mattress pad. You, like many parents, are very much aware of sippy cups that claim to be watertight when the reality is they are not as watertight as they say. By protecting your child’s mattress with a waterproof mattress pad, you’ll avoid the inevitable stains that occur from accidental spills, potty issues or sickness.

When shopping for a mattress for your child’s bunk bed have frame measurements ahead of time. Bringing your child along to test mattresses will help you both to choose the mattress most comfortable for your child. Choosing the right bunk bed mattress will support your child’s bone growth and provide them with a good night’s sleep for years to come.