First Big Kid Bed

I feel since little ones don't weigh very much that a regular mattress is just fine. I hate how the stores never carry the same exact brands and models so that you cannot compare them. Just fine one you like and go for it.

We recently bought mattresses for both kids. Don't be afraid to "wheel and deal" with the guy in the mattress store. Yes, you should get a higher-quality mattress, since it will last much longer. A Simmons floor model is void of warranty, so don't get a floor model. If you find a mattress you like that is pricey, see if they have any in stock that are in last years' color/design. You can save a bundle that way. Then negotiate the price down. They will want a sale from you before you leave and you can say, If you want me to buy this now, this is what I will pay. Sometimes they will give you quite a bit off sticker price. Good luck!!!

Think about it this way. Your son is three he is going to be potty trained soon if he already isn't and he will at some time will probably pee, poop, or throw up in it. He will jump on it, play cars on it, and act like a dinosaur on it. And whatever else on it. Just ask my husband, he and his cousins used to pee from one bed to the other! I wouldn't spend too much on it. It won't be that long until your son (or someone else) does something so gross to it that you will go out and buy another one because you don't want to clean it up. LOL

We ran into the same issue when we were buying a big boy bed for my now 4 year old. I asked around and got conflicting stories.

Here's what my dad told me (who is NOT a mattress salesman): you can go with the less expensive one because a) they don't weigh enough now to get the benefit of all the bells and whistles and b) nobody keeps a mattress for the amount of time that you would need (or want) to appreciate the firmness and all the good stuff that they try to sell you on. I mean, its a twin mattress.

Its been almost 2 years and we are certainly very happy with our less expensive mattress. It wasn't the cheapest one, but it certainly wasn't the one that they were trying to sell us at the store.

We also just went to Bedding Experts or something like that.

Good Luck,
B.

We transitioned our daughter into a big-girl bed at 34 months. We went to Verlo in Mundelein. They have stores all over the Chicagoland area. They did not sell or even suggest the "Cadillac" of matresses to us. They seemed to have a certain model that is perfect for a first bed, I think it was the Essence or Essential...I can't remember the name. Anyway, it is the most comfortable mattress for her and us. My husband does the bedtime routine and falls asleep with her 5 out of 7 nights a week. We also sleep on a Verlo and have been really happy with the product and service. They are all hand made for each customer and are quite reasonable.

Hi, J.,

We honestly went to our local Big Lots. I know this sounds cheap but they have good furniture at good prices (and Layaway which we needed). We also did not buy the most expensive because we knew that he might still wet the bed. We got the mattress when he was about a year and half old. It has been through all the things boys beds go trough. He is 10 now and had no complaints. We plan on getting him a new bed with mattress when his a little taller in a few years.

Good luck

I have an almost 5 year old boy and almost 3 year old girl and we have always gotten our matresses from Sam's Club. They work great and if there are any accidents while potty training you're not out alot of money. Hope this helps.

I don't know if it's the Cadillac of beds, but we bought the Antimicrobial anti spill, etc bed from Wickes and it wasn't that expensive either. My hubby likes it better than our mattress b/c it's firm and I like it b/c supposedly it's supposed to repel any type of spill or moisture that hits it so it won't soak into the mattress.

Good luck!

OHHHHH YESSS, I remember those days. I experienced it with my daughter at Bedroom One...I felt like I was making a huge purchase for way too much money...and the sales people made me feel very uncomfortable. I thought....HEY...i just want to get rid of the crib (or toddler bed), and move on up to a twin...LOL....Try freecycle if cash is tight. Otherwise, I know Salvation Army's have brand new mattress sets (still wrapped in plastic) for unbelievable prices! I go to the location on the NE side of Indianapolis. 56th and Emerson Way, in zip code 46226. They always have GREAT stuff! Plus, you can buy frames there and head/foot boards if you want to also. You never know what you will find there.

Good luck!

Hi J.,
We went to Back to Bed and bought a Serta for about $400. It's made allergy-free and geared towards kids. I bought the full size since he can keep that until he is old enough to buy his own. I bought nice furniture at Classic Oak in Crystal Lake for his big boy room.

We went to Mattress World or some chain like that and spent $400 for a mattress with a trundle bed too. We thought it would be good for when she was older or if we had guests and needed the extra bed. As far as accidents go, I bought a plastic/vinyl cover at Target for $5.99 to go over it b/c I didnt' trust a waterproof mattress pad. I then bought the cheapest mattress pad they had (also $5.99 I think) b/c I had the waterproof thing taken care of.
It's a nice looking trundle and we figured we got 2 beds for the price of one. It's a really small room so she'll never be able to have full size bed in it. Sam's club had great prices too on mattresses.

We bought the twin bed that doesn't have box springs. Instead it has drawers underneath. We went to a furniture store and bought the whole thing. It was cheap but man his mattress is softer than mine! What matters is the sheets. He will care more about Superman on his bed than whether or not he has a pillow top mattress!

I feel for you... we will probably be going through the same shopping experience in 6 months or so! However, in some of the posts, I noticed people saying they were worried about accidents. When we bought our daughter's crib mattress (and our new mattress set), we got a mattress cover for both beds. They help eliminate dust mites, allergens, and best yet - accidents, etc! This was over 2 years ago, so I don't remember what brand we got, but it was similar to this...

http://www.mattressgiant.com/default.aspx?n=69&shop=s...

My daughter's mattress doesn't have a single stain on it (and she's had leaky diapers, vomit, etc on her sheets)!! And the best part is they don't feel like a traditional "mattress cover". It feels like another sheet! Good luck!

Hi J.-

I just went through this a couple of weeks ago. I was thinking the same thing as far as the quality of the mattress. Wanted something nice, but didn't find it necessary for my two year old to have a top of the line mattress. I checked pricing at a few stores and happened to find a place called Mattress Discount Warehouse in Crystal Lake/Prairie Grove. I got a twin mattress/box spring for $125. Everywhere else I had checked was at least $168. They have been in business for years, but just moved into this new store location. Their phone # is ###-###-####. Good luck!

S.

Try Verlo in Naperville. Their prices are really reasonable, and they make the mattress for you, so you avoid some of the whole mystery around whether or not you are getting a mattress someone else owned and returned.

In my opinion you should not purchase an inexpensive mattress for a child, however, I don't think you need the "cadillac" of mattresses either. Keep in mind your son will be growing incredibly fast over the next ten years or so that he will be using that twin mattress. It is important to have a mattress that will support his lumbar region and provide him with a good nights rest. I would recommend a firmer mattress. I think the rule of thumb should be that you shouldn't expect your child to sleep on anything you wouldn't be comfortable in yourself. I know Simmons carries a line called back care for kids that even have zip off mattress toppers that you can stick in the washer. In case you are worried about bedwetting etc... We purchased a $600 set for my 2 year old when he switched to a big boy bed and couldn't be happier. I think his bed is more comfortable than mine! He loves it!

We are doing the same and after reading about all of the chemcials in matresses that are not good for kids, we are going to buy either organic or Ikea's less chemical matresses. If you go woth a conventional matress, get a good allergenic cover to minimize exposure to that stuff and dust and mites

We spent like 179.00 on the mattress for our daughter. She only weights 34 pounds, and these are adults mattresses.