How to Choose the Right Bed for Your Kid – 3 Essential Factors to Prioritize

On average, humans sleep for nearly a third of their lives. In contrast, children require more hours of sleep each night, between 9 and 12 hours, for proper health and development. However, for a quality shut-eye, you need a proper bed, a fact many parents ignore when moving their toddlers or teens to their first Kids beds by prioritizing colours and cosmetic designs over comfort and functionality. As a result, they put their kids at risk of sore muscles, poor posture, sleep deprivation, and back pain – all factors that can disrupt their mental and physical health. Therefore, choosing the right is kids bed can be difficult, especially for first-time parents with kids transitioning from a bedside crib or co-sleeping cot to a proper, independent bed.

In this post, we’ll share how to choose the right bed for your kid so you can get your money’s worth and ensure your little boy and/or girl get the rest they need to be fully energized in the morning.

A Simple Guide to Choosing Kids Bed – 3 Essential Factors to Prioritize

Safety and Durability

Every kid has experienced a fall or bumps on the forehead, especially while sleeping. Therefore, safety is the first consideration on our list when choosing a new kid’s bed. If your child likes rolling around in bed, you should opt for a bed with side rails to protect them from injuries. Of course, as they age, they’ll want the side rails removed so that you can opt for removable ones. If you don’t want side rails, you can purchase a bed that’s lower to the ground and surround it with pillows, terrariums, or cushions. This way, if they do fall, they won’t injure themselves.

Moreover, kids can become highly active and jump around on their beds or run around their rooms. In this case, you should choose a bed with a wood or metal frame to support at least twice their weight so they can continue to grow into it for a longer period. Finally, all edges should be rounded to ensure they don’t seriously injure themselves when stumbling and falling on them.

Bed Size (Length and Width)

The last thing you want is for your kid to lay on a bed with their legs hanging in the air or falling to the ground when turning over. Therefore, choosing the right length and width are important. However, the larger the bed, the greater its cost, so your budget will influence your decision. To simplify your decision, consider your child’s growth and how long you intend to keep the bed before upgrading in the future. For instance, if your child is six years old and you want a bed that lasts for at least five years, you should opt for a bed at least a foot greater than their height and up to twice their shoulder width. This way, they can easily grow into them without you having to spend money on untimely replacements.

Mattress

The mattress is what your child is going to lay on. Therefore, you need to ensure that it not only fits the frame but is comfortable too. The mattress should be firm enough to support their weight but soft enough to relax their muscles and provide the cushioning they need for a comfortable sleep whether in the bedroom or in the patio. Moreover, you also have to consider the mattress’s material. Let’s be honest – accidents are common when you have young children, whether it’s wetting the bed during a night’s sleep or spilling ketchup while eating a hot dog. You should opt for a mattress that’s light enough to be taken off easily and washed to get rid of all germs and stains.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it – the three most important factors to consider when choosing a kid’s bed. Learning how to choose the right bed for your kid will speed up your purchase decision, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. Of course, there are several other factors to consider, such as storage features, versatility, room size, kids’ preferences, and budget. However, by prioritizing the factors mentioned above, you can ensure that your kid gets a quality shut-eye every time they sleep. In contrast, you get the best value for your money in terms of durability, quality, safety, and comfort. There are hundreds of stores in Australia that sell kids’ beds. However, it’s smarter to visit online stores look for different styles, shapes, and designs before physically heading to a store. If you choose to shop online, make sure the company offers returns and exchanges in case the bed doesn’t meet your quality requirements or is either too big or too small.