Mattress shopping for a kid can be difficult. Most kids mattresses are either poor-quality mattresses passed off as "good enough" for kids, or small adult mattresses not designed to meet the unique needs of young, growing bodies. And that can have an impact: a plethora of research outlines the importance of great sleep for the emotional, mental, and physical well being of children, and having the right mattress can dramatically affect sleep. At 5 Little Monkeys, we're proud to have created a world-class mattress for kids, so here are our tips on what to look for when buying a mattress for a kid.

Shop for Skeletal Alignment

Kids bodies have different needs than those of adults – plain and simple. And at the most basic level, any mattress for a child needs to support their body to provide healthy spinal and skeletal alignment. Unfortunately, many beds and pillows on the market aren't designed for kids, resulting in poor spinal and neck alignment during sleep that can harm posture, growth, and overall health. Look for a mattress designed to support your child's body – both in the material it's made from and the sizing of the mattress.

Take Temperature Into Account

Kids tend to sleep hot. And unfortunately, many kids mattresses on the market serve to trap that heat on the body, resulting in a sweaty and uncomfortable night of sleep. Instead, look for a mattress designed to help kids sleep by regulating their body temperature. This will help your child fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and get a more restful night of sleep overall.

Hypoallergenic Is Happier

Finally, your mattress is where your child goes to rest, recharge, and heal. Even if your child has no known allergies, it's a good idea to look for kids bedding made from organic, nontoxic, and hypoallergenic materials. This will prevent any stress reactions in the body, helping to improve both quality of sleep and quality of life.