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Best Toddler Mattresses: Support for Your Growing Child

Danielle Mcleod

As your child grows, they will quickly graduate from a crib to a larger bed, and you’ll want to ensure they have the nighttime support they need for their growing bodies. A supportive mattress is a must for children to provide the cushioning their little joints need, and comfort to allow them to relax and sleep deeply.

Sleep is incredibly important for children as both physical and mental growth and processes are actively taking place through the night. Children who are restless, or wake due to poor support are more often to be delayed in their needs as they grow. A proper mattress can go a long way towards ensuring they get this addressed, and we review some of the best toddler mattresses below to provide you quality options.

RankProductHighlights
#1Beautyrest Beginnings Sleepy Whispers Ultra Deluxe 2-in-1

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  • Weight: 19.4 lbs
  • Height: ~ 6 inches
  • Size: crib/toddler
  • Certifications: GREENGUARD GOLD Certified, CertiPUR-US certified
#2Sealy Nature Couture Cotton Bliss Waterproof 2-Stage

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  • Weight: 18  lbs
  • Height: 5.75 inches
  • Size: crib/toddler
  • Certifications: GREENGUARD GOLD Certified
#3Milliard Hypoallergenic Toddler Bed Mattress

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  • Weight: 8.7 lbs
  • Height: 5.5 inches
  • Size: crib/toddler
  • Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified
#4Zinus Memory Foam 5 Inch Twin Mattress

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  • Weight: 15.3  lbs
  • Height: 5 inches
  • Size: twin
  • Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified
#5LUCID 5 Inch Gel Memory Foam Dual-Layered-CertiPUR-US

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  • Weight: 15.3  lbs
  • Height: 5 inches
  • Size: twin
  • Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified

Common Toddler Mattress Materials

Toddler mattresses are technically defined as a baby mattress as both measures the same and can fit in a crib and toddler bed. This allows you to invest wisely once for years of support as your child graduates from their crib. You can also decide to purchase a twin bed to further support your child through their teenage years, but many choose to stick with the toddler size to provide a smaller, lower option for their child to sleep in until they are more independent.

— Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses provide a series of durable springs to offer cushioning support that moves with the weight of the child. These are long-lasting and also offer options such as soft quilted tops, dual firmness, and even foam layers. These last longer than many other choices and if you plan on investing in a mattress for multiple siblings, this is often a great choice.

— Foam

Foam, whether traditional or memory, is often considered the most comfortable option overall, but they also may be the shortest-lived. They range in density to provide softer or more firm choices, but when it comes to children, you do want a firmer choice to provide the uplifting support growing bodies need.

— Organic

Organic mattresses have become incredibly popular, and are a big seller for children as they offer an option guaranteed not to have been made with processes that may include chemicals. These choices do have a tendency to be a bit costly due to the cost of the true, organic certification process. So if you want a safe choice, also look for safe certifications that provide testing to ensure chemical exposure is non-hesitant

— Hypoallergenic

Hypoallergenic material is often highly sought after for children as toddlers are susceptible to respiratory issues. This is even more so as they enter into early elementary years when they are exposed to various viruses. A hypoallergenic choice can help keep from worsening a young immune system. Look for various certifications that provide safe material use and wear.

What To Consider

There are a few mattress features you may want to take into consideration when shopping for the best product for your little one. As mentioned, size is often something parents concern themselves with simply because once a child is old enough to graduate from a crib to toddler size mattress, they may want to invest in a twin size bed. However, keep in mind that town size beds are often more expensive, and may also require the purchase of both mattress and frame.

— Air Flow

Airflow and material breathability is always an important factor to consider when buying any type of new mattress. Many toddler options are waterproof to help with easy clean-up, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have side air vents and materials that don’t heat up.

— Firmness

You want a more firm, or dense, support for your child. Even though a soft, conforming mattress may sound good, it often puts undue stress on joints and may create sinks that are not supportive of growing children. Look for uplifting designs that provide a quick return to shape after placing weight on it.

— Safety Certifications

Look for various safety certifications related to off-gassing, chemical use, and material make. These will help ensure you are purchasing a tried and true product considered safe and often hypoallergenic.

— Edge Support

The edges of your mattress are very important to avoid creating dangerous situations for your child. Many toddlers are active in their sleeping habits and will move and roll around. A firm edge support is a great way to keep your child from rolling off the bed, or being stuck against a bed rail due to weak materials.

Toddler Mattress Reviews

The following mattresses are popular, affordable, and safe for your child. They are considered durable, long-lasting, and incredibly supportive of growing bodies. Take a look at these options to determine which are best for your child.

1. Beautyrest Beginnings Sleepy Whispers Ultra Deluxe 2-in-1 Innerspring Crib and Toddler Mattress

SPECS:

  • Weight: 19.4 lbs
  • Height: ~ 6 inches
  • Size: crib/toddler
  • Certifications: GREENGUARD GOLD Certified, CertiPUR-US certified

Best 2 in 1 Design for Growing Children

Beautyrest has long been a respectable name in the mattress industry, offering quality, long-lasting products. Their Sleepy Whispers Ultra Deluxe model is both a crib and toddler mattress that provides a dual-sided design for strong, firm support when your child is still an infant, and firm, plush support on the other side for toddlers. 

Created with a natural fire protection wrap, it also boasts a medical grade waterproof barrier to protect against leaks and moisture. The pocketed coil springs allow for even support and avoid sagging. The reinforced slides also protect against compression if your child rolls to the edge.

ProsCons
  • No off-gassing
  • Comforting dual sides
  • Waterproof for long-lasting use
  • Seams may wear with heavy use

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2. Sealy Nature Couture Cotton Bliss Waterproof 2-Stage Toddler & Baby Crib Mattress

SPECS:

  • Weight: 18  lbs
  • Height: 5.75 inches
  • Size: crib/toddler
  • Certifications: GREENGUARD GOLD Certified

Best Innerspring Toddler Bed

Sealy is yet another long-standing name in the mattress industry, and their Nature Couture mattress line for children provides a safe, durable standard. The Cotton Bliss Mattress is waterproof, yet wonderfully breathable to provide cooling comfort. Made with heat-tempered steel coils, it is layered with both foam and cotton cushioning, and can be flipped from a firmer, infant support, to plush toddler support. 

Safety certified, it also has an eco-friendly patented Crypton Clean Sleep material to prevent spills, leak, and moisture damage. It wipes clean with no mess, and also creates the perfect hypoallergenic sleep environment. 

ProsCons
  • Dual-sided
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Eco-friendly
  • Over time coils may make the mattress lumpy

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3. Milliard Hypoallergenic Toddler Bed Mattress

SPECS;

  • Weight: 8.7 lbs
  • Height: 5.5 inches
  • Size: crib/toddler
  • Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified

Best Hypoallergenic Mattress Option

Naturally hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, allergen, mold & dust mite resistant – the Milliard Toddler Bed Mattress is an excellent choice for anyone concerned with respiratory issues and wants to provide a clean environment for their sleeping child. Built with comfort and durability in mind, this 5.5 inch mattress is made from a quality certified foam.

Complete with a removable cover for protection against accidents, spills, and moisture, it is easily machine washed and replaced- or even stored away once you child is no longer in need of the extra protection. 

ProsCons
  • Lightweight 
  • Extremely affordable
  • Removable protection is convenient
  • Maybe a bit firm

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4. Zinus Memory Foam 5 Inch Twin Mattress

SPECS:

  • Weight: 15.3  lbs
  • Height: 5 inches
  • Size: twin
  • Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified

Best Memory Foam Twin Mattress

If your toddler has graduated to a toddler bed that requires a twin mattress size, this 5 inch memory foam choice is perfect for a snug fit and comforting layered support. Firm enough for growing bodies, but with a plush, conforming top layer, it is a great option to help your little one sleep through the night.

With a 10 year warranty, it can easily graduate to another bed as your child grows, yet has a low enough profile for even bunk bed use. CertiPUR-US Certified, it is a safe, chemical-free option that you can rest easy with, knowing your child is safe and sound each night. It also has a removable, washable cover for protection.

ProsCons
  • The firm, yet plush support
  • Washable cover
  • Great for a growing child
  • Off-gassing present at first – allow to dissipating before use (due to storage)

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5. LUCID 5 Inch Gel Memory Foam Dual-Layered-CertiPUR-US Certified-Firm Feel Mattress

SPECS:

  • Weight: 15.3  lbs
  • Height: 5 inches
  • Size: twin
  • Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified

Best Cooling Twin Sized Mattress

This is an excellent choice for helping your child make the transition from crib to bed. The 5 inch profile is perfect for many beds designed for growing children, and provides a firm, cushioning memory foam layer infused with a cooling gel to avoid uncomfortable heat sinks. It also has a removable, easy to clean cover that can be laundered and replaced- making it perfect for potty training children. 

Made with CertiPUR-US Certified foam, it is also considered hypoallergenic, and is a safe choice for your children that may have respiratory issues. Durable edges also keep the sides of the mattresses from compressing when your child roles to various areas of the mattress. 

ProsCons
  • 5 inches is perfect for children’s beds and bunk beds
  • Supportive for growing bodies
  • Great value
  • Slight off-gassing

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Conclusion

A good mattress that supports your growing child through their younger years is a must to provide the foundation for a good night’s rest. These options are quality choices that provide a durable, long-lasting mattress as well as a protective and safe choice. Designed for transitioning from a crib into various bed styles, they are specific to children and their specific body needs. 

Whether you prefer to hold off on graduating to a twin size mattress, or want to purchase a size that will last for a decade or more for your growing child, each of these choices provides excellent material and design for body support. Their low profiles are specific to toddler beds, low profile child frames, and even bunk bed use without sacrificing protective support or weak edges.