It is amazing how moms can become obsessed with sleep when she welcomes a baby into the world. She is immediately aware of how much sleep she is getting, and how little sleep. She works tirelessly to make an environment that is welcoming of sleep so that her child can be comfortable and secure, which she hopes will lead to them sleeping better. This continues as her child grows, and it gets a little more complicated. As her baby turn into a toddler, mom may be thinking it is time to switch to a toddler bed, or even move right to a twin or a double. This means that she will likely want a new mattress for her child to sleep on.
When shopping for mattresses, mom may be tempted to get her toddler a memory foam mattress. Memory foam mattresses are the trendier option right now for sleep comfort, but are they safe for her toddler to use? While it will ultimately come down to mom and dad’s decision, there are some things that mom should know before they go shopping.
When Is A Child Old Enough For A Memory Foam Mattress?
When we have a baby, we are told that they need to sleep on a firm surface, but does this ever expire? According to Amerisleep, while older toddlers and children can have a softer surface to sleep on, it is still wise to avoid a memory foam mattress until your child is much older. Memory foam is a softer surface, and the weight of a person’s body is going to sink a little into the mattress while the rest remains firm. This is an absolute no for babies, and a “maybe” for toddlers. If mom wants to err on the side of caution, she may want to wait a few more years before going with this type of mattress.
Memory Foam Mattresses May Be Hot & Harmful For Toddlers
Memory foam mattresses are also known to be a bit hotter than your average mattress, and they may cause the person sleeping on one to be hotter at night. Toddlers are not at the same risk as babies when it comes to overheating at night, but this may still cause an uncomfortable environment that may cause them to toss and turn all night, which will directly reflect the amount of sleep they are getting each night.
According to Polysleep, some memory foam mattresses also contain chemical compounds that could be dangerous if inhaled. If mom doesn’t pay attention when she is doing her mattress research, she may end up getting a memory foam mattress that has dangerous chemicals in them. Some memory foam mattresses can emit “volatile organic compounds,” and this can include chlorofluorocarbons, formaldehyde and benzene. These are not things we want our children breathing in at night.
What Mattress Should Mom Get For Her Toddler
If mom would rather stay on the safe side and look at mattresses that are not memory foam, there are a lot of options for her. According to Home Guides, toddler’s really do best with a firmer mattress. If you are worried about their comfort, remember that they have only been sleeping on a firm mattress up until now, and chances are they are quite comfortable.
A mattress made of cotton is going to be the most breathable mattress, and it will reduce allergens if your child has allergies. A traditional coil-and-spring mattress will offer a lot of support for your child’s small body. There is no end of options for a mom when she needs to pick out a new mattress.
Sources: Home Guides, Amerisleep, Polysleep