Sleep is vital to children’s health; it is when they grow and develop and having a good mattress is a key component in ensuring they get all the quality sleep they require. It isn’t surprising that the quality of a mattress plays such a big role in getting a good night’s sleep, but it might not be as obvious when it is time to replace your child’s mattress as it is yours. A mattress needs to be comfortable and supportive in order to get a good night’s sleep, but your child might not be aware that their mattress is causing them sleep problems.
There are some physical signs to look out for, but it is also important you listen to your child and take notice of their sleeping pattern. The Sleep Council recommends replacing yours and your child’s mattress every 7 years as a guide, but sometimes it may be necessary to change it more often if you notice any of the below signs:
Lumps and bumps
This may be the most obvious and well-known sign of a worn-out mattress, but it is still worth mentioning. If there are a lot of lumps and bumps in your child’s mattresses, they will likely be experiencing disturbed sleep. Lumps and bumps are a pretty clear indicator that the mattress is past its sell by date, but you should also look out for protruding springs or dints in the mattress that don’t disappear. When you notice these signs, you can usually assume the supportiveness is compromised.
Interrupted sleep
An uncomfortable mattress interrupts sleep. If a child is not comfortable in their bed, they will both struggle to get to sleep and struggle to stay asleep. Tossing and turning throughout the night is a tell-tale sign of a worn-out mattress as when a mattress is fully supportive getting a good night’s sleep should be fairly easy.
Allergy symptoms
Over time a bed attracts household allergens, having a good mattress protector can help to combat this but even then, it can still become a problem. If you notice your child is getting allergy symptoms such as sneezing or irritated eyes which cannot be explained, it may be as sign that their mattress has collected too many allergens and needs replacing. It will probably be most prevalent in the morning, and if these symptoms persist it is well worth replacing their mattress.
Aches and pains
We all know what it feels like to wake up with a stiff neck or back after an uncomfortable night’s sleep and it is usually as a result of the mattress we have slept on. It is no different for children. If they are constantly complaining of aching joints or waking up with a stiff neck on more than one occasion it may be worth checking the supportiveness of their mattress. It should be fairly unusual for children to complain of neck or back pain therefore this is usually indicative of a problem with their mattress, especially if no other explanation is offered. When they begin to complain of aches and pains after sleeping it usually means that the mattress has lost its firmness and can no longer support them properly.
When you think your child’s, mattress has run its course, there are a few considerations to be made when choosing a new one such as firmness, size and material. Room to Grow offer a wide selection of mattresses in a variety of styles and sizes suitable for all requirements.
These are great tips! People often buy the first thing that comes by, it is important to consider all of these things to make the right purchasing decision for your baby