Organic Latex Mattresses, like the EcoRest Natura shown here, offer a healthy sleep environment free of chemicals.

For starters, mattresses that are organic not only function as well as traditional varieties, but they are chemical free, which makes them a far healthier choice. Of course, there are many other reasons why an organic crib mattress is the best choice for your baby. For instance, not only are they eco-friendly, they are also safer. Many standard mattresses contain a variety of questionable materials that could have a potentially negative effect on a baby, such as chemical fire retardants and polyurethane foam.

Some experts believe that an organic crib mattress actually allows for better air flow due to its natural ingredients. This free-flowing circulation may actually assist your infant in breathing better. Moreover, it has also been found that organic cotton may lead to fewer occurrences of allergic reactions.

If you decided that an organic mattress is the right choice for your baby, the first thing you should be aware of is the fact that these mattresses are more costly than regular mattresses. Secondly, just because a mattress may be labelled as organic doesn’t necessarily mean that it is. For instance, while many of these products are made with bamboo fibres and organic cotton, sometimes bamboo is mixed with other materials such as rayon, which is not a natural fibre so the product would not be organic.

Therefore, to ensure that the mattress you obtain is 100% organic, make sure the item you are purchasing has received Organic Trade Association (OTA) approval. This should be listed on the product, as well as what the ingredients of the mattress are – whether it is cotton, wool or bamboo. Furthermore, it should also state that no chemicals were used in the process of making the mattress.

A mattress isn’t the only organic bed item you can purchase for your baby’s crib; you can also obtain other bedding for yourself and baby, such as organic sheets, that is safe and free of processing chemicals.

Latex mattresses like the one shown here are one of the best mattresses for children and teens because they are hypoallergenic, soft and durable.

Some suggest that latex mattresses are the best for anyone under the age of 18. This is because the material is durable, and these are hypoallergenic. That means any children or teens with allergies are going to benefit from this material – unless of course they are allergic to latex. Otherwise, this material is a great idea. This can be pricey, but it is worth the price if your children develop any type of allergy as they grow. They help the most with dust mites, but there is a benefit with any type of allergy.

If you want to think about construction, smaller children under the age of 12 are not going to be too picky about coils and the like, as they do not really have enough weight on their frame yet. Some of the more sturdy coil systems may actually be too hard on their bodies. They should have something a bit softer. The pocketed coil beds may do well, as well as any other types with a lower coil count (see Majestic Sit & Sleep’s selection of Innersprings Mattresses). Once they reach 12 and up, however, they may need something sturdier.

When choosing the best mattresses for children and teens you also have to worry about the growth of your child. Some children have spurts that make their current bed size too small in a matter of months. That means getting them something they can grow into if you are worried about having to buy mattresses over and over again. Twin beds can be wonderful, but some people buy a full size when children outgrow the toddler size so they do not have to worry about having to buy a larger mattress in a few years.

If you have space considerations, think about bunk beds for your children that share a room, or even as an option so they always have room for a friend to stay over. Another great space-saving idea is futons because they can double as a sofa when your children have company.

For the most part, you don’t have to worry too much about the type of mattress you buy for your child unless they have a specific medical condition or allergies. Most children can sleep on just about anything and feel good in the morning. If they are not sleeping well, or are involved in sports, you may want to put extra consideration into the type and size of mattress you buy so they are getting the most out of a night of sleep.