What kind of mattress to use for a floor bed?
Picking the right mattress for a floor bed may seem overwhelming. There are many sizes, many features and many brands that claim their products are the best.
The truth is, it is not that complicated. From our experience, any firm, quality mattress that fits the frame will do perfectly. Actually, many Montessori parents use just a simple mattress without any frame.
Here are some things you might want to consider when it comes to children’s mattresses:
- firmness – avoid mattresses that are too soft; for babies, the mattress should be firm enough to support the spine and neck, a toddler’s mattress can have medium firmness
- correct size – pick a mattress that will fit the frame (you can always compare the exact dimensions)
- thickness – people tend to buy thicker mattresses for the floor beds but a thinner mattress is no problem either – you can always put a carpet or an insulation pad underneath; also, thinner mattresses are close to the floor so the children are 100% safe even if they roll out of the mattress
- other features – it should be hypoallergenic and breathable, which most mattresses are nowadays
The vast majority of mattresses you’ll find online fulfill all of these criteria so it is really hard to pick a mattress that is bad.
Note: Read our guide to setting up a beautiful Montessori bedroom.
The most common sizes of mattresses for floor beds
The classic “house” bed frames come in different sizes as they are used for children of various ages – from infants, through toddlers, to older children.
(If you’re looking for a Montessori bed frame, look at our detailed guide to see the best models).
Here are the 3 most common sizes of children’s mattresses:
- Crib size (52 inches x 28 inches)
- Twin size (75 inches x 39 inches)
- Full size (75 inches x 54 inches)
Of course, it is up to you what size you prefer. Many Montessori parents prefer the full size from an early age. It keeps things consistent, you don’t have to change the mattress (and frame) too often and the children have plenty of space for all their endeavors during sleep.
Rowenna Oesch has a nice post on the advantages of a big mattress.
Now, let’s take a look at the mattresses we recommend…
Graco Premium Foam Mattress [Crib Size]
- Firmness: firm
- Thickness: 5 inches
- Water resistant
- Removable cover
- Tested and certified
The crib mattress by Graco is a bestseller in its category – and rightfully so. It is made of high-quality breathable foam with just the right firmness for a little child. What’s more, it is water-resistant and has a machine-washable cover which makes it very easy to clean.
The mattress was thoroughly tested (including the Greenguard Gold certification) and won the 2020 Women’s Choice Award. It has a 6-year limited warranty.
Linenspa 6-Inch Spring Mattress [Twin or Full Size]
- Firmness: firm
- Thickness: 6 inches
- Spring construction
- 10- year limited warranty
This 6-inch mattress by Linenspa consists of a spring body and a cushiony foam layer at the top. It is a simple, traditional-style mattress that has a high firmness, so it is perfect for smaller children who need more support.
It has a 10-year warranty and one of the best prices in this category of mattresses.
Linenspa 8-Inch Hybrid Mattress [Twin or Full Size]
- Firmness: medium firm
- Thickness: 8 inches
- Hypollergenic
- 10-year limited warranty
The Linenspa hybrid mattress has a construction consisting of an innerspring layer combined with a memory foam layer. This unique combination means it provides enough support while being very comfortable for children of all ages.
Linenspa offers a 10-year limited warranty.
Other practical products for a floor bed
Here are some other products you may find useful:
SafeRest Premium Waterproof Mattress Protector
It is very practical to use a mattress protector for any child mattress. It protects against dust mites, fluids, urine, perspiration and allergens and it is very easy to wash in a washing machine.
If you’re afraid your little one will spend more time sleeping on the floor than in the Montessori floor bed, a bed bumper may be a great solution.
It provides a soft obstacle that will help keep your child in the bed until they get used to sleeping freely.
That’s it. Hopefully you found some useful tips. Let us know about your experience with floor bed mattresses in the comments!
2 thoughts on “What is the Best Mattress for a Toddler Floor Bed?”
I’m looking for instructions on how to build a queen size montessori bed for my daughter of 10 months
Hi Tyler, there are some great DIY plans on Etsy. Just search for “montessori bed diy” or “floor bed diy”.