Posted by Pam Johnson - Head of Buying on 2nd Feb 2022
Top Ten Questions to Consider When Buying a Child's Bed
There are quite a few stages in your child’s life that you may think are just routine, but in retrospect turn out to be very important moments. Buying your child a new bed is one such important moment.
Whether your child is moving straight from their cot to a toddler bed or you’re thinking of upgrading your child’s current bed, getting the right bed is crucial. Besides thinking about the very obvious considerations such as beds and safety, there are several other important factors to consider before investing in a suitable kid’s bed.
Use our handy list of ‘top ten questions to consider when buying a child’s bed’ to make finding the perfect bed an altogether easier experience.
1.Why is buying the right child’s bed so important?
Top of the list is knowing why it’s so important to choose the right bed and mattress for your child. Unfortunately, many adults are unaware of the impact a substandard mattress or bed can have on a child.
Being informed will help keep you focused on making the most appropriate selection.
Children and sleep
There are three very important facts of which you should be aware when it comes to children’s sleep:
Buying a bed should be seen as an investment in your child’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Should you be concerned about any aspect of your child’s growth, posture, mood, or mental health, it is important to consult your GP or other appropriate medical professional.
2. If I’m on a budget, should I buy a second-hand bed?
When money is limited, it can be all too tempting to consider buying a second-hand bed, but in doing so, you would be omitting many of the benefits that come with buying a new bed.
Again, we return to beds and safety: the number one priority of every parent and carer searching for the best child’s bed is that the bed they buy is as safe as possible.
In buying a second hand bed, you may not have the same assurances that come with buying a new bed from Bensons for Beds, such as:
3. Which children’s bed frame is best?
Novelty beds are a very popular choice when buying a young child’s bed. Children can want anything from beds based on television characters, to beds in the shape of cars and aeroplanes.
But are these beds the best for a growing child?
As mentioned above, at the forefront of your decision making should be
“How will my child’s new bed provide the safest and best night’s sleep for my child?”
You’ll also want to consider how long you intend to keep the bed and if you want to be buying a new child’s bed every time your child embraces a new fad.
Prioritising safety in beds
At Bensons for Beds our beds come with a range of safety assurances:
4.Will the new bed be in the same room as a sibling?
You can probably guess where we’re going with this…
Bunk beds
When siblings share a small room, the most obvious choice of bed is a bunk bed Many children love the idea of bunk beds and to be honest, it’s easy to see why. Bringing to mind whispered lights-out chats with your bunk bed buddy, for many, bunk beds are quite possibly one of the most cherished things about childhood. From an adult’s perspective they’re also great space-savers and are therefore perfect for those with very little room to spare.
Things to remember when buying a bunk bed:
5. Which bed frame is best for a small room?
If you’ve just one child but they have a small bedroom, a mid sleeper bed is a great choice. The raised sleeping area leaves the area below free for storage and as it is a mid sleeper, and not a high sleeper, it’s also an excellent choice for homes with lower ceilings. When your ceilings are higher, high sleeper beds provide even room below which may even accommodate a desk, as well as leaving enough space for storage. Mid sleeper beds are recommended for children ages four and above and high sleeper beds for ages six and above.
6. What is the best mattress for my growing child?
When you buy a new bed, it’s important to purchase the right size mattress too. The wrong size mattress can cause the mattress to slip off the bed, and your child with it!
Fortunately for our customers, we recommended bed frames that will perfectly complement the mattress you want to buy. This way you know you’re purchasing the right size bed frame for the mattress you have your eye on. This is also relevant when purchasing a mattress for an elevated bed and instructions for each bed frame will advise which size mattress should be used.
It’s also important to purchase a mattress that will provide the support your child needs as they grow.
Types of mattresses you may want to consider:
1. Pocket sprung mattresses respond to your child’s weight and movement, offering the right amount of support while they sleep.
2. All Stompa mattresses provide optimum support and comfort and adjust to your child’s body contours. These mattresses have also been created to complement the Stompa range of children’s beds available at our store.
7. Is it best to buy a well-known brand of mattress?
If a brand is renowned for providing great products, then they are absolutely worth considering. It makes sense to buy a mattress that has become famous because customers recognise them as being comfortable and providing attributes that are perhaps not offered by others.
Award-winning mattresses
Some products are thrust into the limelight when they receive awards.
In the Independent’s search for The best kids mattresses for children for 2022
The Jay-be corekids IR energy E2 memory mattress won Best Sustainable Mattress.
The Stompa S Flex Airflow Pocket Sprung mattress won Best for Bunk Beds.
The Stompa S Flex Airflow Pocket Sprung mattress won Best Mattress Overall.
We are delighted that these award-winning mattresses have received the recognition they deserve and that they are available for you to buy at Bensons for Beds.
8. Can I buy an anti-allergy mattress for children?
All kinds of irritants can disrupt your child’s sleep. If they suffer from allergies, you may be even more concerned about finding a mattress that can help them get a better night’s sleep. Purchasing a children’s mattress that offers anti-dust mite and anti-fungal protection can help to prevent reactions to related allergies that your child may have.
We recommend:
The Jay-Be range Simply Kids range includes mattresses designed to absorb moisture and reduce the presence of dust-mite allergens.
9. How can I protect my child’s mattress?
As any parent or carer knows, many children experience episodes of bed wetting and sickness, and it’s always the bed linen and mattresses that seem to bear the brunt.
A waterproof mattress such as the Jay-Be waterproof mattress can be easily wiped clean so you are always prepared for any night-time accidents, or bouts of sickness that may occur.
Alternatively, you can protect your child’s mattress by using machine-washable mattress protectors, or waterproof mattress protectors.
Mattresses with removable, washable covers are also a great choice and can help to prolong the use of your child’s mattress.
10. How do I order a children’s bed from Bensons for Beds?
To go ahead and buy a bed from our children’s range, simply select your preferred bed frame and mattress and place an order via our user-friendly site today. You can also call us on 0808 144 6160 and one of our team will be delighted to help.
SOURCES:
(1) The connection between sleep and growth (ages 5 to 8) | BabyCenter
(2) Bad Posture and Costochondritis - Costochondritis.com
(3) Children and Sleep | Sleep Foundation
