Which mattress is better for a teenager is a topical question for all parents and teenagers themselves. From childhood, the foundations of health are laid, among which one of the most important is the condition of the spine. Regular physical activity, long hours of training, and sitting at the computer negatively affect posture, and provoke the development of scoliosis. A good mattress according to mattresstree.com will help to correct or even eliminate minor problems. You should consult with an orthopedic doctor before ordering a mattress for solutions to neglected cases.
Choosing a mattress for a teenager
Teenagers are children from 10 to 16 years, this is just the period of middle and high school when the load on the back repeatedly increases. To form the correct posture, the most suitable mattresses would be medium and strong rigidity. The development of the skeleton and muscles occurs mainly in sleep, so the bed must comply with the following qualities:
- Be flat and spacious enough to allow you to stretch out;
- Rigid, but enough to relax.
Most important are two physiological criteria for your child: height and weight. The mattress should be taken with a sufficient margin, during the period of hormonal jumps the body changes too quickly.
There is another important nuance: adolescence is characterized by increased sweat secretion, so it is desirable to choose a filler so that it does not absorb extraneous odors, the mattress itself must be airtight. A special antibacterial mattress cover will help to minimize the problem and increase the comfort and quality of sleep.
If your child is engaged in sports then please pay attention to special models with increased firmness, using memory form and other similar fillers which quickly restore the initial position.
Dimensions
If you already have a bed, then be guided by the size of the bed, the mattress should be almost flush, allowing length-width less by 1-1,5 cm, so it will be convenient to tuck in the underwear.
If you decide first to order a mattress and buy a base under it, there are nuances. Doctors and manufacturers advise taking a mattress at least 30 cm longer. Calculate the expected average height (if the purchase is made before the age of 14-16 years), add 30-35 cm, and usually, this is enough to be comfortable. For a tall teenager, you can order a standard adult version.
Spring or no spring
Consider a springless mattress. It usually looks without a cover like a “sandwich” of two or more layers. For teenagers, it is better to take with coconut coir, natural latex if funds allow – eucalyptus fiber, which is rigid, well-shaped, and hypoallergenic. This is the best option for a child with overweight. The best filling, repeating the anatomic forms – memory form (memory-foam), latex. This is important: a teenager is an undesirable mattress with polyurethane foam.
Special mention should be made of toppers: they will be indispensable if there are short-term problems with the cervical spine, for example. It is enough to put them on top of the usual mattress and remove them after recovery.
The dependent block fully responds to any movement of the sleeping person, accordingly, its wear and tear are higher. Over time, the springs sag in the middle, creating the so-called “hammock effect”, harmful to the lumbar spine. In such mattresses,s it is impossible to create different hardiness zones, but they are much cheaper.
Independent springs are so-called because of the type of attachment so that the load of the body is distributed evenly. They are also noiseless, with no creaking, and other extraneous sounds. The optimal number is 250-300 springs per square meter. The service life of the product is much higher, the correctly selected version will serve the teenager for many years after graduation. These products are suitable for most children and adults.
Rigidity
Rigidity – an individual parameter that depends on the state of health, habits, and the base of the bed. Usually, girls are chosen variants of medium stiffness. For children who need to adhere to a therapeutic diet, and recover from sports and other injuries, a combined version with zoning will do. After recovery, the mattress can be inverted and the quality of sleep is not lost.
The heavier the weight, the stiffer the mattress should feel. Therefore, the Bonnell models are undesirable. In addition, pay attention to the marking of the limit for the chosen model. If a teenager is underweight, then you should choose a softer product.
Advice from orthopedists – what you need a mattress for a teenager
Podiatrists ask parents to provide teenagers with a flat and rigid surface. This ensures the health of the spine, quality sleep, and recovery from physical and psychological stresses. Optimal relaxation, when the mattress follows the curves of the body without sagging or deforming, is available when sleeping on an independent spring block. But this is true for children with normal weight, for heavier children with a mass of 100 + it is desirable to buy a model without springs.
The best filling, according to orthopedists, is coconut coir combined with latex. Also, a good effect is given by memory foam, but models with it are more expensive, while not inferior in durability and hygiene.
It is impossible to call a universal solution for all adolescents, when choosing a mattress you should be guided by the condition and physical data of the child. Diseases of the spine are much easier to prevent than to treat later, so take a responsible approach.