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Today, a kid's bed just isn't a kid's bed unless it doubles as a writing desk, a playhouse or even a race car. While trendy youth sleep systems are gaining popularity with parents, a growing concern has developed among sleep experts.
In an effort to cut costs, for example, many children's bed manufacturers opt to outfit their fun-shaped creations with foam pads instead of a sturdy, innerspring mattress.
How do you know what's best for your child? Sleep experts from the American Innerspring Manufacturers, a nonprofit organization, recommend the following guidelines to help parents find the best bed for their kids.
* Consider a bed that your child can use for years. A recent bedding publication revealed that more and more parents are selecting full-sized or even queen-sized beds for their children who have outgrown a crib. It's no surprise. Not only does a larger bed provide the comfort and support kids need, it makes good financial sense. After all, how many teenagers will want to sleep in a bed shaped like a ladybug?
* Make sure the mattress has springs. Parents who decide to purchase a smaller-sized youth bed should make sure the bed comes with - or can accommodate - an innerspring mattress.
* Hand-me-down beds can be a treat, but hand-me-down mattresses can be a disaster. A hand-me-down bed can be a great tool in the transition out of the crib. The idea of sleeping in the same "big kid bed" that a cousin or sibling used can be part of the excitement. But make sure the mattress is new. Worn-out mattresses can lose the ability to provide proper support and sound sleep for growing children.
Parents interested in more information about sleep surfaces can find fact sheets and catalogs of free literature at www.aiminfo.org.
Parents can also call 1-800-TUCK-ME-IN to request free literature, including AIM's free toddler storybook "Sleepy Creepy," or the organization's pocket-sized "Ten Tips for Buying a Mattress." - NU |
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