I am in the process of deciding on my daughter’s first “real” bed. I’d like to get her something that will last, and that she can take with her when she’s (sniff!) ready to move out.
Memoryfoam mattresses seem to make the most sense for the long term, but a few folks out there are claiming they are not good for kids. The claims tend toward the hysterical, claiming such things as nerve damage and failure of muscle to develop normally. :dubious:
Has anybody seen any actual studies about this? Or do you have any experience with the mattresses?
I’m putting this in IMHO because I’d also like to hear opinions on the subject. Anybody got one and hate it/love it? Anybody buy one for a child?
I don’t know anything about memory foam but was curious - are you buying a full or queen size bed for this toddler? I had a twin bed up until I was 18 and left for college (then dormed in more twin beds…_ and it was a bummer. Yeah I am tall for a female but still…wouldn’t have moved that bed out of the house when I moved out unless I REALLY couldn’t afford a bed.
I like it. Definitely stopped some shoulder and back pain. It discourages me from sleeping in awkward positions.
Considering what people all over the world sleep on/in, I can’t even imagine a memory foam being an issue for a kid. If it feels good, then the body is liking it. That’s the one thing about muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc. You’ll know if it is good, if it feels good.
I love my memory foam mattress. I just got it about 6 months ago and don’t know how I ever thought I was sleeping comfortably without it. For Christmas I bought memory foam toppers (the 4 inch memory foam all the way through, not the half memory foam/half regular foam that they sell in some places) for all of my children- but my children range from 20-13 so I have no ideas or experience about how it would do for a toddler. The toppers make their beds as comfortable as mine with the mattress.
One thing I would worry about though, depending on the age of the toddler in question is how it would handle bed-wetting. I’d definitely invest in a good quality water-proof cover for it.
I am planning to get her a Queen bed, or at least full. I had a queen to start out with and have always been grateful that I didn’t have that expense when I was first starting out. I was desperate for a new mattress by the time I was 18 though, and have never really invested in a good one.
So the plan is to get one for each of us.
And yes, water proof cover as well. It may cause tenting, but it’s really non-negtiable as there’s no way to clean these things. . .
If tenting is an issue (I’m assuming you mean how things bulge up due to trapped air), you could always make a couple of pinholes in the waterproof cover - on the sides or at least near corners where pee-ness is unlikely to ensue. That would let the air vent out and remove the tenting effect.
When I lived in Japan, I slept on a thin cushion on top of a tatami mat. It was very firm, and took some getting used to, but once I grew accustomed to it, my back felt great.
When I got back to the states, I bought a memory foam mattress for my apartment. The following week, I was late for work every single day. It gives great support, takes my shape, and warms to my body temperature. Sleep became oblivion. My alarm clock didn’t cease to function, it simply ceased to exist in my sleep-world.
I’ve since replaced my alarm clock. The mattress can stay for as long as it likes. I may even buy it bon bons on Valentine’s day.
I have found this to be the biggest drawback of having a memory foam mattress. If you found it hard to get up before, then it’s gonna get even worse now.
My husband who is naturally an early riser (rarely sleeping past 6:00 AM even on his days off) slept until almost 10:00 AM the first night on memory foam and we both have had to get extra loud alarm clocks.
Honestly, at this point I wouldn’t spend a whole bunch of money on a mattress for a toddler. I’d wait until she’s older and can tell you what feels most comfortable for her. It’s unrealistic to expect that the same mattress you buy now is going to be in good shape in 18 years - it’s recommended that you replace your mattress more often than that. Plus, there will probably at some point be issues with barf and/or nighttime accidents, and waterproof mattress pads aren’t always a sure thing.
I got innerspring Ikea mattresses for my kids, and they seem to sleep pretty well on them. I’ll upgrade when they’re a bit older.
You do make a very good point. Expecting a mattress to last that long is probably unrealistic, especially through childhood when mattresses tend to be abused (jumping, illnesses, overcrowding with friends, etc.) and the child’s tastes and what is comfortable may change too even if the mattress held up. Most recommendations I have read are to replace the mattress at least every ten years and that is with meticulous care- not using it as a trampoline, rotating it at regular intervals, etc. I am not sure I would expect more than that from a memory foam mattress and in some cases I would expect to replace much earlier than that.
That said, with careful shopping a good-quality memory foam mattress can be found at a price comparable to a quality inner-spring mattress, so as long as things like moisture and cleaning are planned for I don’t see a compelling reason not to buy one for a first (or second, or third) bed. I have yet to meet anyone who didn’t find memory foam comfortable (even those who thought they would hate it, such as my husband) and surely a toddler will appreciate the comfort as much as an adult (although probably won’t notice it as much). Memory foam is also hypoallergenic and naturally resistant to dust mites, so could actually be more healthful to a toddler (if allergies/asthma are a concern).
Actually I partially take that back, I can think of one reason to not buy memory foam for a first bed. They are squishy and conforming, and can be difficult to roll around on. A child could theoretically end up face down on the memory foam and obstruct their breathing. I believe that is unlikely, but I am a paranoid and over protective Mommy, so my mind thinks of these things occasionally.
I have heard of people concerned about outgassing of memory foam mattresses and their effects on kids. I have no idea if this is for real, or just bizarre claims by nuts, or if the mattresses are no longer manufactured as smelly as they used to be - the last time I looked at them, I didn’t notice any smell at all.
When I bought my mattress (and the topper I had before that, and the toppers I bought for my kids) I read a lot of reviews that complained about the smell (presumably from chemicals) of memory foam mattresses, but none of ours had any discernible smell at all except that “new” smell (like the inside of a furniture store) that wore off after a couple of hours.
I had not heard too much about health concerns- because I never bothered looking into it- so I googled a bit after your comments and just from reading the first few hits I am going to side with either bizarre claims or at least greatly exaggerated. The first several hits were all from sources that have a vested interest- one that sells “natural” furniture and advises against anything but their own products as “deadly” and “toxin-filled” and one that advised against any kind of foam at all (good luck finding an inner spring “traditional” mattress without foam, huh?). There was an astounding lack of anything providing solid, verified studies or evidence, but it could be that I just didn’t look hard enough.
There may be dangers of memory foam to children, but it seems like if it were a true health crises or caused as many problems as some of those sites claim then there would be more warnings from reputable sources.
ETA: I also found one cite claiming that outgassing used to be a problem, but isn’t anymore.
I would agree with other posters that it’s probably unrealistic to expect the mattress (as opposed to the bed or bedframe) to last 16 years or more, or to be what your daughter prefers during that whole time. The bed itself might be a better thing to invest in now with the understanding that mattresses will come and go.
