Choosing the Best Mattress For Kids – Ausbeds Guide

The Ausbeds philosophy: buy-for-life

At Ausbeds, I don't build "disposable" beds. I build modular and adjustable mattresses that last a lifetime.

A modular mattress means every part is replaceable and upgradable. You can unzip the cover, take out the comfort layers, and change the springs.

Why is this the best mattress choice for parents?

1. Hygiene: If a child has a bad accident, you don't have to throw out the whole mattress. You can just replace the affected foam. Our covers are also machine washable.

2. Adjustability: As your child grows, their weight changes. A modular mattress allows for a high degree of adjustability. Our mattresses come with multiple firmness adjustments that you can do at home. Parts can be upgraded as preferences change. Child grows up and needs extra support? We can send you a new spring system. Your child now prefers to sleep on their side? We can add latex comfort layers and microsprings.

3. Longevity: A mattress usually fails because the top foam layer softens (it's physics). A modular mattress is designed specifically so you can replace that single layer with a fraction of the cost of a new bed.

At Ausbeds, our business model relies on keeping customers happy. We don't make a profit from selling parts. Our philosophy is that no one part should cost more than 1/4 of the original mattress price.

Factors to consider when buying kids' mattresses

With the basics covered, let's look at the practical factors that separate a good kids' mattress from a bad one.

Durability and accidents

Let’s be honest: kids' beds take a beating. Little kids jump on them. Younger kids have accidents. Older kids spill drinks. The best mattress for kids is one that handles real life. This is where washable and replaceable parts are important.

Weight and support

Accidents aside, the bigger challenge is keeping up with growth spurts. As kids grow, their needs and sleeping positions change. If your child's gone through a significant growth spurt, or if you're handing down a mattress to a sibling, the springs might be flipped or replaced to match the child's bodyweight. This is helpful for the optimal spinal alignment of growing children.

Edge support

Soft edges will mean a greater chance of rolling off the bed. We use firmer springs at the edge and wire support to keep the edges firm. As children get bigger, having firm edges will mean a greater usable area of the bed.

Breathable materials

Breathable materials are also important. A memory foam mattress will trap heat, which is why spring mattresses are generally better for sleep quality. Unlike a lot of bed-in-a-box mattresses, we don't use foam around the edges, but wire edge support. This helps air flow reach the top layers of the mattress to stop mould.

Value matters for parents

All of these factors—durability, support, edge firmness, breathability—add up to one thing: value.

You want an affordable price, but you also want a great mattress. The cheapest mattresses for kids use low-quality poly foam (often with fancy names) that dips within months. You end up buying a new mattress two or three times over the child's life.

A great mattress is an investment. If you buy a modular mattress, you pay once for the build and minimal amounts for upkeep. It supports growing kids through to university. It can be passed down from one child to the next.

What to look for

When shopping for the best mattress for kids, consider the key factors:

1. Good support: A medium-firm feel for posture and durability.

2. Modular: The ability to replace layers of the mattress as they wear out.

3. Adjustable: Flippable springs (springs have a harder and softer side) or adjustable comfort layers to support posture.

4. Safety: Non-toxic foams. If your child has dustmite allergies, look for materials that are hypoallergenic, like natural latex comfort layers. Latex is naturally resistant to dustmites.

5. Cool: More foam = more heat. Memory foams run hot. If your home gets hot, your mattresses may need materials that are more breathable. Having a pocket spring core will allow for optimal air flow and heat dissipation.

6. Durable materials: High-density foam and pocket springs. Good edge support.

7. Hygiene: Easy cleaning options or replaceable covers. At the very least, the cover should be washable.

What to avoid (what we see on the market)

On the flip side, here's what to steer clear of:

• Thin children's mattresses: A 15cm memory mattress is fine for a toddler bed or a trundle bed, but it will inevitably sag as the child grows. Children need a medium to firm mattress that will support them until their teens.

• All-foam mattresses: Too hot, not durable. Foam is a heat trap. It is also the first thing to fail on a mattress. A foam mattress will have a life of about 5-7 years before it needs replacing.

• Marketing gimmicks: A lot of mattress companies use confusing names like cooling gel, cloudcell technology, and posturecel. Most of these gimmicks are just names for proprietary polyurethane foams. They might add 1% of oil or bamboo fibre to polyurethane foam and sell this as magic technology. If a company isn't honest about what's inside the mattress, avoid!

The bottom line

The right mattress is one that offers the best value for parents and the best support for growing children. You need something solid, supportive, and built to last.

At Ausbeds, that's exactly what we make—modular mattresses designed to grow with your child, handle the inevitable accidents, and save you from buying three beds before they leave home. Every part is replaceable, every cover is washable, and every mattress is built to be the last one you buy.

If you're in Sydney, come see how we build them.