You need to check literally a million factors when choosing a mattress for your child.

And I will not lie if I say the material that the mattress is made of is among the crucial ones.

As today most mattresses are made of memory foam, many parents are concerned whether it’s a safe choice for their little ones.

If you’re one of them, don’t worry. In this article, we will review memory foam as an option for your kid’s bed, considering children of different ages.

From Birth to School: How Does a Memory Foam Mattress Impact Children of Different Ages?

As I’ve said, foam mattresses are flooding the market nowadays.

This is because memory foam has several advantages over other materials:

• ability to adapt to the shape of your body;
• excellent movement isolation;
• high durability;
• easy care.

Also, memory foam mattresses have many firmness options, which can satisfy the needs of most users.

Now, let's see if memory foam is good for your child.

Newborns and Infants (1-12 months)

When it comes to choosing a crib mattress, many young parents are worried about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

According to statistics, most cases of SIDS occur in the first 4-5 months of a baby's life.

Science has not yet fully understood the cause of this syndrome, but some hypotheses link SIDS to the firmness of the mattress you choose for your little one.

Soft mattresses, for example, may increase the risk of suffocation by preventing a baby from obtaining a comfortable position. As the cradling nature of memory foam is that it can make it difficult to move around on the mattress — even if it’s a firmer one — it’s not recommended to use memory foam mattresses for newborns and infants.

Here’s what you can do instead:

• choose a firm mattress made of polyfoam;
• use mattresses specifically designed for cribs;
• do not use a pillow — even the one that comes with the mattress — at least in the first year of life.

“Make sure the baby stays on the back while sleeping. This position does not interfere with normal breathing and is considered the safest.”

Toddlers (1-3 years)

As your child grows, you might decide to move him from a crib to a toddler bed.

And that sometimes means choosing a new mattress.

A memory foam mattress is a good option here for the following reasons:

• it provides uniform support and cushioning;
• it is known for its hugging and relaxing properties;
• open-cell memory foam mattresses are more breathable, which will prevent your child from sweating at night (and hence ensure him a more comfortable sleep).

And do not forget about the little accidents.

Even if your kid is potty trained, be sure to buy a waterproof mattress protector: it will make your cleaning way easier.

“Buying a smaller mattress looks like an attractive option, but you may not want to save on size. Consider that children grow up very quickly, and it is better to leave room for their growth than to spend money on a new bed every couple of years.”

Pre-Schoolers (3-5 years)

Preschoolers are very active, you know that yourself.

This means that your kid will literally test the durability of everything you give them.

And the mattress is no exception.

The great advantage of memory foam mattresses is that they are quite resistant to kids.

And they are far from being as bouncy as spring or latex beds, so your kid probably will not jump on them.

“In order to make your kid's slumber even better, pay attention to other elements of the bedding as well. The right pillow and duvet are as important as the mattress.”

School Kids (5-12 years)

Sleep is very important for schoolchildren, as it directly affects their cognitive abilities and behavior. Memory foam mattresses are great for children at this age because:

• this material perfectly adapts to your child’s spine and supports it in a neutral position, which is important for proper posture.
• most children are restless sleepers, and memory foam is known to have that sinking feel, which prevents kids from tossing and turning too much, allowing them to fall asleep faster.

“Kids weigh significantly less than adults, so along with medium firm mattresses, softer models also can be considered. They will offer just the right support without the sinking feel.”

If you need help choosing a mattress for your kid, have a look at these memory foam mattresses recommended by sleep experts. Each of them is available in Twin and Full sizes, so you can surely find something for your kid’s bed.

Tips for Choosing the Memory Foam Mattress That Will Be 100% Safe for Your Kid

So, now you know that a memory foam mattress is a good choice for children of most ages.

But what should you pay attention to when choosing one?

Look for Certifications

After SIDS, the second most common reason for young parents to worry about their child’s mattress is the study that showed 72% of children's mattresses can release hazardous toxic substances into the air.

I will not argue with research, I’ll just say how to avoid buying such a mattress:

Look for the certification labels.

In general, you can be calm if the manufacturer has certificates from the following organizations:

• GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard);
• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard);
• GreenGuard Gold;
• CertiPUR-US;
• OEKO-TEX.

Consider Double-Sided Mattresses

Such models can save you great money because, in fact, they combine two mattresses in one. One side can be used as a crib mattress for an infant, and the other side will come in handy as the child grows and moves to a toddler bed.

Take Care of Allergies

Allergic reactions are fairly common today.

But you can save your kid from them by choosing the right mattress.

Typically, memory foam mattresses are hypoallergenic. But there are some things that can negatively affect the health of your child in the long term:

• Using polyester as one of the layers or cover fabric. This is a synthetic material that can cause rashes or breathing problems.
• Not protecting the mattress. Accumulation of allergens inside a mattress is a natural consequence of physical wear. The best solution would be to purchase a zippered mattress protector. In addition to saving your child from inhaling allergens, it will also wick away excess moisture and heat, maintaining a healthy climate.

Summary

Sometimes the choice of a baby mattress can make parents lose their sleep. However, you can significantly narrow the search range if you look at memory foam models. These mattresses often have great value for money and, what’s most important, ensure a safe and comfortable sleeping environment for your little one.