From the moment a baby is born through to their teenage years, a good mattress plays a vital role in their growth and development. As your child grows, it’s not just the size of the bed that should change — it’s the level of support and thickness of the mattress that really matters. So, when should you upgrade your child’s mattress?
When to change
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are a few general guidelines to follow. The first upgrade usually happens when your baby outgrows their crib, typically between 18 months and 3 years. At this stage, the focus should be on moving to a slightly thicker, supportive mattress that provides stability for a toddler who is becoming more active and mobile.
As your child reaches primary school age (around 6 to 10 years old), their bodies grow more rapidly and become more physically active. This is when a thicker mattress with enhanced support layers becomes important for maintaining proper spinal alignment and overall comfort.
During the pre-teen and early teen years, growth spurts place even greater demands on the body. A well-constructed, thicker mattress with strong core support and high-quality comfort layers is essential for supporting posture, recovery, and healthy sleep.
Hot tip! – To maximise value and longevity, consider investing in a high-quality, thicker mattress earlier on — one that can continue to provide the right support as your child grows, rather than replacing thinner, less supportive options more frequently.
How will I know?
Obviously, you can’t rely solely on these three basic stages to give you a definitive indication of when the mattress upgrade is needed. According to the sleep experts, these are a few more specific signs…
Complaints – If kids complain of sore backs upon waking or any discomfort, you may want to consider a replacement.
Overlap – It is pretty obvious that if Johnny’s legs are dangling over the end of the bed, he has definitely outgrown his mattress!
Allergies – Coughs and sneezes in the morning may be due to allergies triggered by dust mites and other allergy-producing elements, such as pet dander or mould spores from humidity or sweat. This means the mattress needs to be cleaned at least, or possibly replaced if it is very old.
The mattress is simply worn out – Mattresses take a lot of strain from kids’ rough-housing, jumping, etc, and a mattress can become simply worn out. As one expert says ‘’Check for signs such as sagging, lumps, or an uneven surface. If the mattress squeaks, shifts, or no longer feels supportive, it’s time for a replacement.’’
Don’t compromise on quality.
A final but very important tip is to never compromise on the quality of the mattress your child sleeps on. Research has shown that the right mattress can support natural growth and improve sleep quality, and we all know how important that is for physical and cognitive development.
If cost is an issue, remember that Truform Bedding has, for over forty years, been making affordable mattresses that combine comfort with support, and they are all anyone needs from an early age through a lifetime.
Contact us to discuss your specific mattress requirements and obtain more advice, or go test a Truform at a reputable bedding store near you!
Happy holidays this month – and travel safe!