If your child suddenly feels heavier when you scoop them up, their pants show plenty of ankle, and shoes that fit last month are already squishing their toes, you are in growth spurt territory. 

And here is the part we do not always think about as parents. A fast-growing body is doing a lot of work at night. Bones, muscles, and brains are busy, which means a supportive, comfy sleep surface matters more than ever. If your child has hit a growth spurt, this might be the perfect moment to ask a simple question:

Is their mattress still working for them, or are they just dealing with it?

How Growth Spurts Affect Sleep

During a growth spurt, kids often

• Sleep longer or want to sleep in
  

• Wake up more throughout the night
  

• Complain about feeling “squished” or uncomfortable
  

• Increased tossing and turning to find a “better” position
  

Some of this is simply part of their bodies growing, but an old, sagging, and too short mattress definitely accentuates their discomfort. If your child is lying in strange angles, sleeping on a mound of stuffed animals, or asking to climb into your bed every night, it might be a sign that their mattress is not keeping up with their growing body.

A supportive, traditional size twin or full sized kid’s mattress designed with comfort and support helps growing kids get deeper, more restorative sleep. Some parents start with a junior or “toddler” bed, which often have smaller dimensions. With the proper size and quality, the mattress should last them for years to come. At 5 Little Monkeys we say “from out of the crib to off to college”. There are many benefits of making an upgrade because when sleep improves, there is usually a ripple effect during the day. Parents see fewer meltdowns, more patience, better focus, and more energy. It’s a win-win!

Signs Your Child May Have Outgrown Their Mattress

You do not need to be a sleep expert to notice when a mattress is past its prime. Here are some clues that it is time to upgrade.

• Their feet are almost hanging off the edge.
   If your child stretches out and has little room to spare, they are due for a size that matches their new height. The best kid’s mattresses are designed for a child but are offered in standard twin and full size.
  

• You can see clear dips or lumps.
  Mattresses that sag in the middle or feel uneven do not give the steady support growing spines need.
  

• They wake up achy or complain that “my back hurts.”
  Children should not wake up sore. A more supportive option that targets pressure points can make a huge difference.
  

• They are always hot and sweaty at night.
  Kids' bodies can run warm, or cold for that matter. If your child regularly wakes up sweaty or kicks off blankets, it may be time to look for a mattress with temperature regulation. These contain a layer of cooling phase change material, moving heat away or towards the body depending on their body temperature.
  

• Bedtime is becoming a struggle again.
  Sometimes “I do not want to go to bed” is really “this bed does not feel good anymore.” A cozy, properly sized mattress can actually make kids look forward to bedtime.
  

Why the Right Mattress Matters During Growth

As kids move from toddlerhood into big kid status, their sleep needs shift. They are heavier, their spine is lengthening, and their joints are doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work. The best toddler mattresses and kids mattresses are designed with all of that in mind.

Here is what a good mattress can do for a growing child.

• Support healthy alignment
  A high-quality kids mattress supports the natural curves of your child’s body so their neck, shoulders, and hips are cushioned without sinking too far in. That gentle alignment can help reduce tossing and turning and prevent those “I slept funny” mornings.
  

• Provide consistent comfort as they grow
  The best kids mattress should not feel great for only one year. It should be able to carry your child from little kid through teenage years without losing support. That is where well-designed foams, high quality coils, and strong base layers come in.
  

• Help with temperature regulation
  Many parents notice their kids “sleep hot.” Modern mattresses for children often include temperature regulation technology, like breathable covers, cooling foams, or layers that pull heat away from the body. This is important because nobody likes night sweats and it’s a major disruption to sleep.
  

• Create a space they are excited about
  A new mattress can be part of a bigger bedtime reset. Fresh sheets, a cozy pillow, and a bed that feels personalized “just for them” often turns bedtime resistance into bedtime pride.
  

What to Look For in the Best Toddler Mattresses and Kids Mattresses

If you are starting to browse options, it can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of choices and a lot of claims. Here are a few simple things to prioritize.

1. Size that matches their stage
   

• Toddlers who are just moving out of the crib usually do well on a twin or twin XL, depending on how tall they are and how long you want the bed to last.
  

• School-age kids and taller children may be more comfortable in a twin or full so they have room to stretch out.
  

2. Supportive but still cozy
   Look for a mattress that feels soft on top yet has a strong supportive core. The best toddler mattresses are gentle on growing joints, while still supporting their back and hips so they don’t sink too deeply.
   

3. Thoughtful temperature regulation
   Pay attention to breathable fabrics, cooling layers, or foam designed to move heat away from your child’s body. If your child often wakes sweaty, choosing a mattress that prioritizes temperature regulation can be a game changer.
   

4. Kid-safe materials
   Since kids spend so many hours on their mattress, sometimes 10 a day, parents prefer options made without harmful chemicals or heavy chemical smells. Certifications from trusted third parties can offer extra peace of mind.
   

5. Easy-to-clean protection
   Growth spurts often overlap with nighttime “accidents”, spills, and snack crumbs. A water-resistant cover or waterproof protector that fits snugly over the mattress helps keep everything fresher and extends the life of the bed. 5 Little Monkey’s offers both. Easy to zip off and throw in the wash.
   
   

How a Mattress Upgrade Can Transform Bedtime

If you have been thinking, “My child has grown so much this year,” using that growth spurt as a milestone moment to upgrade their mattress makes sense. 

These are just some of the benefits you’ll reap a high quality kid’s mattress:

• Falls asleep faster and stays asleep longer
  

• Reduces complaints about discomfort and being hot
  

• Gives their growing body the ideal support they need
  

• Turns their bed into a cozy, inviting space instead of a battle zone
  

Parents often tell us that once their child has a mattress that truly fits their body and sleep style, they notice a difference in everything from evening mood to morning attitude.

At 5 Little Monkeys, we design every kid's mattress with growing bodies in mind, from supportive foam layers to cooling features that help with temperature regulation so children can sleep comfortably all night. When you are comparing options and trying to find the best kids mattress for your family, it helps to remember that you are not just buying a mattress. You are choosing a nightly support system for a body that is changing fast.

Ready to Rethink Your Child’s Bed?

If your child has hit a growth spurt, this is a great time to take a fresh look at their sleep setup. Check how they fit on the mattress, notice how often they wake up, and pay attention to clues like overheating or morning aches.

A well-chosen kids mattress does not just make bedtime cozier. It supports every leap, stretch, and inch of growth that happens while they sleep. And that is one upgrade that can pay off night after night.