Toddler Beds: 8 Best Toddler Mattresses

May 7, 2022

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Transitioning To The Toddler Bed

Finding the right time to move your child out of the confines of a crib and into a toddler bed depends on various factors, but if you do it right, everyone will get a good night’s sleep. The big move often happens when baby number two is on the way.

That might be OK, as long as your child is 18 months old or older and can safely get into and out of the new bed independently.

A key issue in determining whether your child is ready for a big bed is the height of the new bed. The closer to the ground will be better. It also helps make bedtime a routine to get your child to sleep.

Beds should be for sleeping, not playing, and a child needs to know to remain in bed unless they have to use the bathroom. Many families try to make beds or bedtime more entertaining than it should be.

Other experts recommend waiting until the child is much older to transition to a toddler bed. They strongly recommend waiting until as close to age 3 as possible.

It takes a lot of behavioral control to stay within those imaginary boundaries. There also has to be a cognitive understanding of the boundaries.

Even with a new baby on the way, there’s no immediate need to move the older child to a big bed.

Newborns can sleep in a bassinet for several months and don’t need a crib. Consider borrowing a crib if your child is not ready to make a move.

There are various toddler bed options available, and finding the right one depends on several factors.

Some parents may choose a toddler bed that uses the same mattress as the crib — familiar crib sheets can provide comfort during the transition for your child.

Some of these beds are closer to the ground than a traditional bed.

Parents moving their child to a traditional twin bed should consider not using a bed frame until the child is older or should use removable railings for any child under 5 because they can easily fall out of bed.

It would help if you had railings no matter what because kids fracture their collar bone falling out of bed.

Even if you think your child never moves while sleeping, put up railings anyway.

One of the most critical components is a mattress.

We Have Selected The Best Crib Mattresses

Table of Contents

Greenguard Gold-certified crib mattresses are produced from materials that emit negligibly or no VOCs or volatile organic compounds.

Top-rated safest crib mattresses

The change from a bassinet to a crib is significant for newborns. A crib is significantly larger than a bassinet, allowing the infant more tremendous opportunities to roll during the night.

It is possible to upgrade a crib’s mattress to provide a newborn baby’s utmost comfort and ease.

Cribs are equipped with several safety elements that keep infants safe and calm parents’ fears, but it is feasible to update the mattress to provide infants with the greatest comfort and ease.

The greatest crib mattresses will be soft enough to lull a child to sleep while offering appropriate support for a baby’s growing body.

Different Types Of Crib Mattresses

There are various types of crib mattresses available for purchase. Each model offers somewhat different advantages to aid a baby’s nighttime slumber.

Spring-based crib mattress

Crib mattresses with innerspring mattresses are one of the most common types. Even though they tend to be heavier than their foam equivalents, they are sturdy and supportive for developing necks and heads in infants.

The innerspring mattresses with the most layers are the most supportive and secure. However, sometimes the inner coils can be noisy, which could keep a child awake during the night.

Foam Crib Mattress

Foam crib mattresses are produced from polyurethane and are lighter and more affordable than innerspring types.

However, compared to innerspring models with coils for support, foam mattresses may not be sufficiently firm for infants to sleep safely.

With your hand pressed hard into the mattress’s middle, you can determine its firmness and see whether the material springs back promptly.

If your palm still leaves an impression on the mattress, it is excessively soft.

Dual-side Crib Mattress

A dual-sided crib mattress features two distinct levels of firmness to accommodate a child’s changing needs.

The solid side offers sufficient support for a baby, while the softer side can be used as the kid grows older.

Organic Crib Mattress

Recently, organic certification has been added to mattresses, but there is little control to ensure that the label is applied correctly.

If you are considering buying an organic mattress, seek the following labels:

Greenguard Gold Certification: This certifies that the mattress is produced from materials that give little to no VOC emissions, which could be harmful.
GOTS or Global Organic Textile Standard: This certification has yet to be widely accepted, but it claims that mattresses are at least 70 percent organic.
CertiPUR-US: This designates that the polyurethane foam in the mattress does not have any ozone depleters and does not contain chemicals like formaldehyde.

Other factors to consider

Mattress Protectors

Many crib mattresses include a cover to protect both the mattress and your child. Look for a waterproof mattress cover so it won’t be ruined if a bottle spills or a diaper leaks overnight.

Furthermore, an antimicrobial cover keeps allergens and other potentially harmful pests away from your baby.

Breathability

Breathable mattresses will help keep a child comfortable throughout the night. Look for a model with airflow pockets, which will allow air to circulate and keep your child cool all night.