Ultimate Kid’s Bed Buying Guide

Approximately 11 to 14 hours of good sleep help enhance children’s cognitive performance, mood, resilience, learning and memory. It fundamentally affects the growth and development of young minds. 

Good sleep requires a comfortable bed. Choosing the right bed for your child to get proper sleep is essential. As a parent, how do you go about choosing the perfect bed for your child? To help with this problem, we’ve provided you with this ultimate guide on buying kids’ beds. 

In this Ultimate Kid’s Bed Buying Guide, we’ve covered everything, including bed sizes, mattress sizes, types of kids' beds, how to choose the right bed and mattresses for kids, and answered some frequently asked questions about kids' beds. So, let’s start!

Kids' Bed & Mattresses Size Chart

First, let’s start with the bed and mattress sizes. 

When buying a bed for your kids, you can start by choosing the size of the mattresses. A comfortable and cosy mattress provides ample space for your child to grow. It enhances maximum product utilisation and prevents inappropriate  bed selection.

If you are unsure about mattress sizes or still confused, you can start by making a rough estimate of the available space in your child's bedroom. Look at the chart below and decide on your kids’ bed:

This table illustrates that a baby cot is typically suitable for children aged 0-2 years. Cots have a high side railing that protects from falling while rolling. When kids reach the age of 2-4 years, you could go for a toddler bed.  Generally, after 4 years and above can go with various kinds of beds: single, small single, European, cabin, and many more. However, it all depends on your child's sleeping patterns. 

Which Bed Is Right For Your Child?

We have already discussed kids’ bed and mattress sizes above. Now, we’ll learn about the right bed for your child.

We select aesthetic, durable, and spacious beds since we have a wide range of options in terms of design and size. Every transition is crucial, from toddlers to grown-ups, so we must ensure the right bed for your child. But you must ensure the bed consists of side railings, materials free from harmful chemicals, and storage options. We will explore some of the factors that depend on choosing beds: 

• age
• nature of sleep
• number of children. 

That being said, Rest Relax brings a variety of kids’ beds with the latest collection.

What Are The Different Kid Bed Types?

If you are still confused about the right bed for your child, we will provide you with further guidelines for different types of kid beds:

Cots 

A cot is a small collapsible bed of fabric stretched on a frame. Usually, cots are suitable for kids from newborns to 2 years of age. They are lightweight and portable. Cots are commonly used during the first 6 months when parents cannot move the child to another room. 

Toddler Bed

Toddler beds are slightly bigger than cots and share more similarities with cots. Typically, a toddler bed is used until a child is around 2-3 years old. It comes in a child-friendly design, which is safeguarded with guardrails. Some toddler beds have a conversion optionthat allows them to be converted into larger beds as your child grows.

Bunk Beds

Usually, bunk beds are suitable for parents with twins or children of a similar age for personalised space. Bunk beds would be an ideal choices for kids above 6 years old, especially for those who enjoy sleepovers. Their tiny stairs let your kids use their wild imaginations.

Cabin Beds 

Cabin beds are designed with storage solutions in mind, incorporating drawers, shelves, and even built-in desks underneath the bed frame. This clever space utilisation allows you to store toys, clothes, books, and other essentials, reducing clutter and creating a neat and organised environment. These beds are recommended for children over 4 years old.

Low Sleeper Beds

Low sleeper beds are usually designed for children between 4 and 6 years old to bridge the gap between a cot and a single bed. It suits children and teenagers based on the bed's style and design. The height of the bed and floor is very low, so there is no risk of injury while falling or rolling. Low sleeper comes with storage facilities and is ideally used for small bedrooms.

High Sleepers Beds

High sleepers are recommended for children above 6. It has built-in desks, which are trendy among teenagers. High sleepers also have storage space to store their accessories specially used for homework or gaming.

Mid Sleepers Beds 

Significantly, there is no difference between a mid-sleeper and a high sleeper bed. Mid-sleeper is appropriate for primary-aged kids and recommended for children aged 6 and above. The mid-sleeper bed is ideal for kids learning new skills and requiring more available space in their bedrooms. Normally, mid-sleeper beds are between the standard height of a single bed and that of a high sleeper bed. They are raised above the floor, creating an open area underneath that can be used for storage purposes.

Loft Beds

Loft beds are recommended for children above 6 year of age. It is raised relatively high from the ground. As a result, you can make use of the space between the floor and the mattress. It is often known as high-sleepers. They have a built-in frame that is higher than the mattress, stopping the risk of rolling out of bed during the night.

Trundle Beds

A trundle bed is popularly known as a low bed on wheels that is typically stored under the bed frame of the main bed. Underneath the bed frame, you can hide an extra mattress during the day and pull it out when it is needed. Trundle beds are used for fun sleepovers with children, accommodating visiting family and friends, and providing a space for two children who share a room.

What Should I Look For in a Kid's Bed?

You should always consider safety and comfort while looking for a kid’s Bed. Some of the important points that you look for in a kid’s bed are:

Most of us have childhood scars or memories of having huge bumps on our foreheads from accidents or falls during our childhood. To ensure the safety of our children, you should exercise caution when purchasing a bed. Here are some important safety tips: 

• Guardrails
• Sturdy construction
• No sharp edges

Most children prefer to spend more time in bed, either sleeping or jumping. While jumping, kids may get hurt by bumping into the bed and its frame. Metals could be dangerous if bumped against the bed. Therefore, you may want to consider wooden beds.

You should avoid purchasing beds that contain harmful chemicals that can adversely impact indoor air quality and the health of children. You should avoid beds that contain harmful chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde. 

The standard bed height is typically around 45 cm, making it suitable for older kids and teenagers. However, the best choice for parents is often an adjustable bed that can grow with your child. These adjustable beds can extend their usability for an additional five years, providing a longer-lasting sleeping solution. That being said, you should take into consideration the size of the bedroom and how it will align with the placement of doors, windows, and other furniture items such as wardrobes and bookshelves.

Small bedrooms need optimal beds for better space utilisation. Some of the beds have in-built storage facilities like ottoman and divan storage beds. These beds have drawers, shelves, and storage headboards for storing personal accessories like toys, books, artwork, clothes, shoes, and school supplies.

Budget is one of the most important factors when choosing a bed. You must question yourself: Is this the optimal choice for this budget?  We would suggest affordable options. But, You should make optimal choices according to the kids' age group and the number of the children. If you have 2 or more children, you would definitely go for bunk beds, high sleepers, low sleepers, and mid-sleepers.

We know your primary concern is your child's safety. So, you should buy a bounce-proof mattress because children might get injured while bouncing in the bed. Sleeping preferences, body type, allergies,  and budget are the factors that widely influence family choices. Therefore, we have provided a table that allows you to  easily identify preferred mattresses:

You should always follow the manual provided by manufacturers while assembling a bed. Normally, kid's beds are easy to assemble, and some retailers provide professional assembly service at the time of purchase. If not, you can make the process easier by taking your time, keeping your tools and fixings organised, and finding someone to help you assemble the furnishing. 

How Do I Choose The Right Mattress For a Kid’s Bed?

Choosing the right mattress for a kid’s bed is of the utmost importance for parents. Here below, we provide you with simple and easy guidelines before buying a mattress:

To determine the mattress size, consider both the age and the size. The table listed above provides the guidelines for choosing the right mattress. 

Memory foam should be used if your child frequently suffers from allergies. This type of mattress has hypoallergenic qualities, which prevents your kids from suffering from allergies.  

Reflex foam would be perfect for a child who fidgets or moves around a lot at night. This type of mattress provides enough support to keep the child steady and comfortable, which reduces the fidgeting.

Gel Memory foam is suitable for growing kids and has a supportive feature. This type of mattress prevents your child from aches and provides the necessary support to align their spine and bones.

Mattresses must be comfortable and reliable. The components used in making mattresses are memory foam, latex, cooling gel memory foam, cotton, wool and silk, which are safe for children.

Children who struggle with bedwetting problem needs waterproof mattresses. Water Resistance mattress comes in various sizes:

A comfortable mattress encompasses plushness and extra firmness while maintaining consistent support underneath. This combination helps prevent body aches and also aids in regulating body temperature for a more restful sleep experience.

Mattresses should be durable for at least for 5-6 years. We must check the concentration of steel coils and padding to ensure the durability of the mattresses. 

You can claim a warranty by verifying the order number details or by a copy of the order confirmation e-mail. Without this information, Rest Relax cannot guarantee that we will be able to trace your order details.

Final Thought 

Rest Relax offers a wide range of bed varieties, from traditional to modern and fashionable options available in the market. You should choose the kids' bed wisely, keeping in mind all the considerations mentioned above. You can also involve your kid in the selection process. This way, you can choose beds with their favourite styles and features.

Kids Bed Buying Guide FAQs: 

What Age Do Children Go Into a Bed?

Normally, children go into a bed after 2-3 years of age. There is no hard and fast rule that a child must go to bed at this particular age. Whenever a child is comfortable, you can transfer to bed. 

Should I Consider Kids' Beds With Additional Features?

Yes, There are certain things that you should consider when purchasing a kids' bed. Here, are additional features that you may consider while purchasing a kid’s bed: 

• Aesthetic accessories like decorative panels
• USB charging ports
• Inbuilt LED lights for cosy environments
• Adjustable height
• Convertible Beds
• Glow-in-the-dark features

When Is The Right Time To Transition My Child From a Crib To a Bed?

The right time to transition your child from a crib to a bed is when they reach 18 months to 3 years of age. It’s a crucial and important bed transfer phase because it promotes overall child development.

How Can I Ensure The Bed Is Safe For My Child?

If you consider things mentioned below, we assure you the bed is safe for your child:

• Install guardrails to the bed to prevent falls.
• Guardrails must fit against the mattress and frame, so there is no gap.
• Before the age of 2, you shouldn't give a pillow to your child. Instead start with a small, firm pillow.
• The bed shouldn’t place under a window.
• Children above 6 years old can be transfer to upper bunk bed.

Are Bunk Beds Safe For Young Children?

We would recommend placing children aged six or older in the upper bunk, while the bottom bunk is more appropriate for younger children. Yet, you should enforce discipline by ensuring that children do not play on the ladder or jump from the top bunks.