As a parent, it’s natural to want what’s best for your kids. You care for your children. You give love and support, and provide them with opportunities that will help them grow up to be more responsible adults. Of course, you want to protect their health as well. Nothing is more distressing to a parent than a child who is sick or in pain. But there are some things that harm kids that parents don’t even know about. One factor, for instance, is the mattress. It is a basic piece in every bedroom, yet did you know that the wrong mattress can be detrimental to your children’s health and development?
The Mattress and the Child
When you shop for a mattress for your son or daughter, what do you consider first? Most parents often think that they can just buy any type of mattress. Anyway, their kids will outgrow them someday. This is not a good idea. Why? First of all, youngsters spend a lot of time on their beds, sleeping, resting, studying or playing. This means that adults need to take into account durability. Secondly, growing kids need mattresses that provide both comfort and support. A child must be able to sleep comfortably on his bed. But aside from this, the bed must also provide support especially since the youngster’s bones are still developing. The absence of proper support can be detrimental to bone development. Therefore, a parent must select a mattress that can last at least 10 years, and this mattress must give adequate support and offer comfort to his child.
Other Vital Factors during Mattress Selection
There are many other factors that you have to think about when shopping for a mattress for your child. Here are more issues that you should carefully consider.
1. Budget
Start with how much money you’re willing to pay for a new mattress. Before you go to a store, decide on a price range first. This will greatly help you in narrowing down your choices.
2. Size
Most parents will get a twin mattress for small kids. But this is not exactly the best idea. Kids grow up quickly, and you might find yourself shopping for a bigger mattress in a few month’s or a year’s time. A lot of mattress experts suggest that if there is ample space, then opt for a full, queen, or king-size bed, especially for taller pre-teens or teenagers.
3. Style
There are different mattress styles available, such as memory foam and innerspring. Keep in mind that certain styles make a bed more prone to infestations. The innerspring mattress, for instance, attracts bed bugs and dust mites because the minute creatures can easily live in the empty space inside the mattress. A foam mattress, on the other hand, deters such pests because it’s harder for insects to live inside the thick and compact foam. Other styles are air and water mattresses.
4. Special Health Needs
Some children are particularly sensitive to dust mites and other allergens. So, make sure that you purchase a mattress that won’t exacerbate your child’s allergies. Also, invest in hypoallergenic mattress toppers, bed linen, or pillowcases too.
Claire Thorpe is a writer who has addressed many topics on home improvement. She also writes reviews about Mattress Store Beaverton and other home furnishing shops.
