Heathy Kids Start with Sleep

Heathy Kids Start with Sleep

How Sleep Fuels Learning and Growth

Back to school and hand-me-downs go together like peanut butter and jelly. Think about it. If you have more than one child in the house, you have likely recycled clothing, a backpack, a cell phone, or an iPad, and why not? Older kids get more privileges. As they learn to take better care of their property, they get nicer stuff, right? It’s a good theory and though no two households are alike and rules differ from home to home, this is a typical approach. 

In fact, many families use this logic with mattresses. It can work well with infants who change and grow quickly, making it necessary to transition them into a toddler bed. From toddler age to early elementary, your child will go through several changes in bed and mattress sizes. “Growth and Your 6- to 12-Year-Old” states that the average child grows two and a half inches and four to seven pounds per year. This growth will slow down once puberty hits. The best way to support growth during this time is nutrition and sleep. So, regardless of whether the mattress is recyclable, there’s a better question to ask yourself. Will this mattress give the most optimal sleep necessary for your child to grow into his or her body?

Growth Spurt Signs:

The rate at which every child grows differs. Sometimes a child grows so fast they develop growing pains. Other times, it’s not obvious your child is going through a growth spurt. If you are a parent trying to determine where your kiddo is on the growth scale, here are some signs to look for:

·       Increased appetite

·       Changes in sleep patterns

·       Growing pains

·       Increased height and weight

·       Mood changes

·       Clumsiness

Regardless of how fast they grow, your child(ren) will need the best support they can get as they move from one stage to another. This means it might be time to consider what mattress is best for them. 

Stages of Growth and Mattress Support

The article “How to Spot and Survive a Toddler Growth Spurt” says that “Growth spurts can be both physical and cognitive. Physically, young children grow at an incredibly rapid rate during the first few years of life.” Your child(ren)’s sleep is imperative to their growth as well as their ability to learn and retain new ideas in school. For further connection on learning and sleep, check out this blog from Beautyrest Sleep Gallery, “Sleep Smarter.” In the meantime, let’s look at the developmental stages of growth and the mattresses needed to support them:

1.     Infancy – Dramatic changes occur during the first years of life. During this phase of life, you will need an infant crib mattress. Babies spend much of their first year sleeping. Your baby will be sleeping on this mattress for a few years, so it’s worth investing in a nice one. The mattress you choose is important. You can even get an anti-roll pillow which will keep your baby from rolling. Not only will this keep your baby in a safe sleeping position, but an anti-roll pillow will also make your baby feel swaddled and warm. 

2.     Toddler Years – Growth can slow down during this time, but there is likely a big change in height and weight. A toddler bed comes with a variety of options. Some cribs can convert into toddler beds, and there are more styles than ever to choose from. Let’s focus on the mattress your toddler needs to transition from an infant to a big kid bed. The right mattress will be:

a.      Safe from harmful chemicals

b.     Waterproof

c.      Breathable

d.     Hypoallergenic

e.      Comfortable

 

3.     Early Elementary – Typically, growth spurts happen here with an average of two to three inches of growth occurring in a short period of time. For five- to eight-year-old kids, cognitive, social, and emotional development is happening quickly. Not to mention, they are shifting to a more structured school curriculum. They work hard and play hard all day long. So, when they are ready to collapse in bed for the night, they need the right mattress to support them. 

4.     Adolescence – Females from ages ten to fourteen and males ages twelve to fourteen experience another big gain in growth. A teenager bed doesn’t necessarily mean a twin bed. In fact, some teens, especially the ones who have recently experienced a growth spurt, are too tall for a twin bed. In that case, the mattress for your teen might be a twin XL, which is approximately five inches taller in length. Beautyrest Sleep Gallery, your local sleep expert, suggests you take the same approach with your teenagers you would with yourself. Go in, try out beds, and decide what works best for them. 

5.     Adult Bed – Your kiddo might be all grown up and leaving home for the first time. By this point, your child is considered a young adult, and in theory has grown to the height of which she or he will max out. This mattress is likely one you will buy for your young adult when she or he settles where they plan to be after high school graduation and move to college or trade school. Many leave mattresses behind at parents’ houses and buy a new one that will transition them into this new phase of life. Wherever your young adult is going, whether they are settling into their first place or crashing with friends, it’s time to consider what adult mattress will serve them the best. 

Help Your Kiddos Sleep Well, Wake Up, and Be Happy

The best way to help your child grow and prepare for success during a new school year might be to buy them a new mattress. Don’t forget there are back-to-school sales for mattresses, too. You could start by researching mattresses online here: Beautyrest Sleep Gallery. Or you could take a family trip to your local Beautyrest Sleep Gallery to chat with a mattress expert. Getting the right amount of sleep is vital to your student’s growth and ability to learn. Consider the gift of a mattress for you as well—a hardworking mom and/or dad. 

Give the gift of sleep for growth, learning, focus, and good grades. Relax… wake up and be happy at Beautyrest Sleep Gallery. 

Resources:

Gavin, Mary L. MD. June 2019. Growth and Your 6- to 12-Year-Old. Kid’s Health.org.

Web, Amy, PhD. June 13, 2025. How to Spot and Survive a Toddler Growth Spurt. Thoughtful Parent.com.