Narrowing down the best mattress options for my kids

[phoenix]

Hi L-overwhelmed,

[quote]When you say:
It would certainly be suitable for a child both in terms of firmness and durability and any type or blend of latex would also be “safe enough” for children as well.
…what part of the bed would make the rating safe enough and not safe?[/quote]

From my previous reply …

The only reliable way to to assess the “safety” of different materials in more general terms is based on lab tests and the certifications they have for harmful substances and VOCs (regardless of whether they are organic or natural or synthetic) so that you have some assurance than the VOCs are below the testing limits for the certification. If the materials in a mattress or the mattress itself has a reliable “safety” certification then for most people they would certainly be “safe enough” … regardless of the type of material or the name of the manufacturer on the label.

If a mattress included a layer or component that didn’t have a reliable safety certification then its safety would be much more difficult to assess and more uncertain.

While it may be more information than you are looking for or really want or need to know … there is also a lot more information in post #2 here and the more detailed posts and information it links to about safe, natural, organic, “chemical free”, and “green” mattresses and mattress materials that can help you sort through some of the marketing information and terminology that you will encounter in the industry and can help you differentiate between them and answer “how safe is safe enough for me” and that can help you decide on the type of materials and components you are most comfortable having in your mattress or on the certifications that may be important to you. These types of issues are complex and are generally specific to each person and their individual sensitivities, circumstances, criteria, beliefs, and lifestyle choices.

Also, to last my kids as long as I can, should I be getting soft or medium?

I would use the firmness guidelines in post #2 here that I linked in my last reply… I would avoid soft mattresses for children (although I would consider 28 ILD to be medium)

The “soft” rating is actually based on adult sizes so it will feel firmer to a child. Soft is #28 ILD, medium #32 and firm #36. Our latest variety features 3" of soft talalay on top of 3" of firm talalay making a reversible feel of either soft or firm. Works well if you are not sure which way to go.

My comments in post #2 here should be helpful. 28 ILD is in a medium firmness range although it would be considered to be relatively “soft” when it’s used as a support core.

Phoenix