Mattress for Toddler in Greenville Texas

Mattress Talk
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Hi, this is my first post, so please inform me if this is the wrong category for my questions.
We live in rural Greenville, TX which is a satellite city in the DFW area. There are 3 or 4 furniture stores in my area, but after reading the comprehensive tutorial I’m apprehensive to visit them because they don’t seem reputable and I’m concerned that their offerings will be poor quality/value choices. I’m not clear on what to look for as a parent when visiting a showroom, so I also have a bit of a mental block on whether it would be helpful at all to go in -person shopping. So for now, I am shopping online… but I am a bit lost on how to evaluate my options given my inexperience comparing mattresses that I cannot directly experience.

I’m looking for a twin mattress to transition my daughter out of her crib. I’ve read that young children need slightly firmer mattresses, so I would prefer the top layer to be on the firm side.

I found the Latex Mattress Factory website’s post about DIY mattresses, and created a mattress that I hope would be suitable for my 2-year-old. She’s tall and lean, by her growth curves (that’s how I am built too). It’s a twin consisting of a 2" medium-firmness (28 ILD) Dunlop latex layer over the 6" pocket coil support core, with the 8" Natural Quilted Cover. This DIY mattress comes to $599. Does this seem like a suitable choice for a child?

The price seemed high to me, so I kept shopping and found the Texas Mattress Makers Manhattan Kids Firm Mattress for $249 for a twin. I reached out to Texas Mattress Makers about the stackup of the Manhattan Kids Firm Mattress and they told me it is 1" high density foam on top of an open coil support layer. This mattress is 9.5" total, so I think the support layer must be about 8" thick. Is this mattress a good choice? How does it compare to the DIY mattress above from the Latex Mattress Factory?

Finally, a friend of mine gave me an antique bedframe that she said was twin sized. My husband measured and it is actually 39" x 74", which seems a bit too short to fit a standard twin mattress, which I read were made to be 38" x 75". Since we are fairly tall adults (both 5’ 10"), I imagine that my daughter would not be able to sleep in this bed once she hits her final growth spurts. But will we likely have to modify the bedframe to get a regular twin mattress to fit at all?

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Hi HannahDee,
Welcome to the MattressUnderGround, we are happy to have you as we say affectionately a “MUGster.”

Choosing the right mattress for a child is crucial for their comfort, support, and overall health as they grow and develop. Children, especially those transitioning from a crib to a bed, typically benefit from mattresses that offer firm support. A firm mattress helps maintain proper spinal alignment and supports growing bones and muscles. It can also aid in preventing issues like back pain and discomfort, which may affect their quality of sleep and daily activities.

In addition to firmness, durability is another important factor to consider. Children are active and may jump or play on their beds, so a durable mattress that withstands wear and tear is essential. Materials like latex and high-quality foam can provide durability while offering comfort and support.

Furthermore, choosing a mattress that promotes good airflow and temperature regulation is beneficial. Children can be sensitive to temperature changes during sleep, and a mattress that helps regulate heat and moisture can contribute to a more comfortable sleep environment.

Lastly, as children grow rapidly, investing in a mattress that accommodates their growth is wise. Opting for a larger size, such as a full, allows them to move freely and comfortably as they get older, ensuring the mattress continues to meet their needs over time.

Having said that, choosing a full-sized mattress for your daughter could offer several advantages as she grows. While the antique bed frame you have is charming, it’s slightly smaller than a standard twin mattress, which might not accommodate her comfortably as she reaches her final growth spurts. A full-sized mattress provides more room for her to stretch out comfortably, ensuring she can use it well into her teenage years. It also allows for more flexibility when she has friends over or if you decide to read together before bedtime. Perhaps, there is a way to modify it now verses down the road.

Regarding the mattresses you’ve considered, both have their merits: the DIY option from Latex Mattress Factory provides customizable comfort and durability, making it suitable for your daughter’s need for firm support. On the other hand, the Manhattan Kids Firm Mattress from Texas Mattress Makers offers affordability but may not provide the same level of long-term comfort and support as the latex and pocket coil hybrid.

Investing in a full-sized mattress now can be a practical choice that ensures she has ample space to sleep soundly and comfortably as she continues to grow, complementing the quality and durability offered by the DIY mattress option.

I realize that the wonderful gift of the antique bedframe has sentimental value, which is why I have suggested to somehow modify it for use with the full, since it may have to be modified anyway.

Hope this helps,

Maverick