One mistake that parents can make when choosing a bed for their child is to assume that they will want a mattress with the same level of firmness as an adult might want. But children’s bodies have different comfort needs.
So how do you choose the right one for your little one? The experts at Dreamwool Beds are here to help with a few bits of practical advice to keep you and your kids resting easy all night long.
Optimum Sleeping Position for Kids
When children are very young (under one year), they should be sleeping on their backs, as this reduces the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. The best way to support this is to err on the side of a slightly softer mattress. Too firm, and children tend to roll over onto their stomachs to get comfortable, as this is the softest part of their body.
As infants, this can increase the risk of SIDS, and as they get older, stomach-sleeping can cause unnecessary pressure on joints and create issues with spinal development.
Beware the Hand-Me-Down Mattress
Raising kids is expensive, and so often the best way to weather those costs is to pass items down from parent to child, and then from one child to the next. But hand-me-down mattresses – particularly the drafty old innerspring models many of us slept on when we were younger – can create a cold and uncomfortable sleeping environment for your little ones.
This makes for a poorer quality of sleep for both child and parent, as children who are cold and uncomfortable are much more likely to disturb the rest of the house overnight. When you pick your baby up out of bed, they should feel warm and cuddly – if they’re not, they’re probably not sleeping comfortably.
Dreamwool Bassinets and Cots
Dreamwool uses only the finest, all-natural materials in our luxury latex and pocketspring mattresses, and our children’s mattresses are no exception. For very young children and babies, we offer a pure merino wool bassinet mattress which cradles your baby, keeping them warm in winter and cool in summer – perfect for small children who can’t add or remove bedding if the temperature isn’t quite right.
Our larger cot mattresses include around 1 to 1.5 kilograms of luxurious Merino wool and 100mm of all-natural latex, which combine to give your child extra support to keep them comfortable all night long.
Growing As They Grow
When your child reaches their teens and is growing rapidly, it’s probably time to reassess their mattress and consider whether or not it’s still giving them proper support. At this age, we would generally recommend our classic Original mattress, with luxurious latex and plush Merino for a contouring, easy feel, or our Icon, which adds pocketsprings for a firmer flexing feel.
Sleeping Well at Every Age
A high-quality mattress is important at any age, and as any sleep-deprived parent will tell you, getting your little ones through the night is critical for the health and wellbeing of the entire household.
Come see the Dreamwool team today to learn how we can help your whole family experience the sleep of a lifetime.