If you are worried your child isn’t getting enough sleep, this isn’t something to take lightly. Because being sleep-deprived effects their ability to learn, the consequences of sleep deprivation last a lifetime. Sleep deprivation in kids has been linked with behavior and attention problems. The memory problems associated with sleep deprivation mean they don’t learn the same information as other kids their age. Inadequate sleep also contributes to bullying and aggressive behavior, mood swings, and anxiety. As well, a lack of sleep contributes to unhealthy weight gain as a body craves food to gain as much energy as possible. If your child is showing signs of anxiety, being very hyper, acting aggressively, or changing moods very quickly, it is important that you realize these are signs of serious sleep deprivation.
The question is, what can you do about it? For some families, the solution is actually an easy one. You simply need to make sure your child’s bedroom is the slumber oasis they need to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep until morning. Yes, this is possible!
What Every Kid’s Bedroom Needs
A child’s bedroom is about much more than a cute or cool place to play with toys. Their bedroom goes a long way toward making the healthy sleep they need possible. Here’s what it needs:
Twin or Full Mattress
The sleep your body needs, made possible by a high-quality mattress, helps lower your stress levels, alleviates neck and back pain, helps with Insomnia, keeps dust mites and other allergens from your bedroom, and keeps you healthy. All of this applies to your mattress, sure- but also the mattress your child sleeps on. Don't hand down an old mattress to a child! Support is even more important to them than yourself, and it’s really important for you- so that’s saying a lot!
Finding the right mattress will give your kid a great night’s sleep. You need to look for one that is both comfortable and supportive. Most children sleep on either a Twin mattress or Full mattress. Which one you decide on will depend on a number of factors, including how old your kid is, how big they are, and how much square footage their bedroom has. A Twin mattress is great for a small child, but there are situations where a Full mattress, sometimes called a Double, may make more sense. They are best for growing pre-teens and teens who are now too large for a Twin bed. Learn more about choosing a great Twin or Full bed in these related articles: Mattress Talk: Is a Twin Mattress Right for You? and Mattress Talk: Feeling Full.
Kids Bedroom Furniture
You have the mattress picked out. You’re not going to just put it on the floor, of course. It’s time to shop for kids bedroom sets! A bed's primary purpose is to hold your mattress in place. Without a quality frame in which to place your mattress, your child’s sleep can be disturbed by squeaking, creaking, sliding, and more. Just like the mattress itself, you’re looking for high-quality kids bedroom furniture.
One of the kids bedroom sets we recommend is the New Classic Tamarack Bed and matching collection of furniture. You can pair this beautiful bed with the Tamarack Dresser, Tamarack Nightstand, and the Tamarack Mirror. Because it is available in three colors, White, Black, and Cherry, it is perfect for any kids decor!
Kids Bedding
When you think of bedding, you probably imagine sheets. This is certainly part of it, but your child needs much more than just sheets to make their bed perfect for them. A pillow is a fantastic place to start. Don’t forget a mattress protector in case they have a nighttime accident. If your little one suffers from ADHD or anxiety, a weighted blanket can also help.
We have a wide selection of bedding made just for kids! A few of our favorites include the Mi Zone Sophia Pink Ruffled Youth 4-Piece Comforter Set, Hush Blankets Kids 5lb Weighted Blanket, and Mi Zone Kids Sea Life Print Microfiber Youth 8-Piece Comforter And Sheet Set, but there are many, many more to choose from. The PureCare Kids 5-Sided Mattress Protector means you no longer have to worry about spills, accidents, allergies, and dust mites.
Other Sleep Essentials
Just like you, your child needs their bedroom to be cool, dark, and quiet. We have the sleep accessories to make this possible! If their bedroom is too bright, you’ll want to hang blackout curtains. We offer several beautiful and functional options, like curtains made by Ann Gish, Intelligent Design, and Sun Smart. If they hear noise and get scared, you’ll want to provide ambient background noise that helps them fall asleep. We carry YogaSleep sound machines made especially for kids! The Yogasleep Soundscene Sound Machine With Light Projector displays a mesmerizing constellation pattern on the ceiling while playing soothing sounds. There are actually 20 curated sleep sounds to choose from, including white noise, lullabies, nature, shushing, fan, and womb sounds that effectively mask disruptive noises and provide a constant, soothing sound throughout the night.
Every person’s body needs time at rest in order to repair itself and to keep its systems in working order. Children’s bodies have the additional need to also grow bigger and stronger at a healthy rate as well. While the amount of sleep that children need changes as they age, consistent, deep sleep always plays a part in their physical and mental well-being.
Their development depends on good sleep, and their sleep depends on having the right bed and bedroom to make slumber easy to achieve! If your child’s mattress is low-quality or just not right for them, it’s going to be hard for them to get the amount and quality of sleep they need. Despite the fact that they spend a third of their lives sleeping, many of us haven't adequately given thought to the mattress their child needs for restful sleep. Make today the day you change that! Bring your child into your nearest City Mattress location, speak to a Sleep Expert, and have them try out mattresses, pillows, sheets, and more.