Blog | MurMaid Mattress
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The ABCs of Getting Their ZZZs

Grown-ups aren’t the only ones who sometimes have trouble snoozing. Kids can have difficulty drifting off into dreamland too. Perhaps once they’re in bed they just can’t get comfortable and they’re tossing and turning all night – keeping you both up. Your children’s good sleep revolves around how much they’re getting and how well they’re sleeping once in bed.

How much sleep do children need?

Most parents won’t be surprised to learn that children have their own sleep needs. These needs change over time – that’s right, what works for a toddler differs dramatically from a teen or an adult, but not so much with a 12-year-old – they both benefit from a full 12 hours.

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Tired kids aren’t just grumpy. Children who don’t get enough sleep are at a higher risk for chronic illnesses and obesity.

10 Tips for helping your child get to sleep

  • Remove screens. Consider nixing TVs, tablets, laptops and even cell phones from your child’s room.
  • Establish a bedtime routine. Having a pattern before bed will help signal to their mind and body that it’s time for bed.
  • Cut the calories. Eating too close to bedtime tends to keep kids up, especially if the food or drink contains caffeine or excess sugar.
  • Create a sleep environment. Make sure her bedroom is cozy – not too hot or cold for sleeping. Ditto with too many or too few blankets.
  • Get wet. Some children may find that taking a bath or shower before bed relaxes them.
  • Keep it quiet. It’s easier to sleep when there’s not extra noise. Teens may even want to wear earplugs.
  • Check the size. Review with your child whether her bed is the right size or if she might need a larger one because she tends to stretch out while slumbering.
  • Don’t use going to bed as a punishment. Your child might get a negative view of sleep. On the flip side, be careful not to use staying up late as a reward.
  • Avoid making bedtime a negotiation. Give your child other choices to make, like what type of PJs to wear or what book to read together before bed.
  • Make sleep a family priority. Kids learn from example. If sleep is important to you, chances are it will be for them too.

    • Is it time for a new bed for your child?

    It’s tough to know when your child might be ready for a new bed – kids grow and mature at different rates, after all.

  • If you’re trying to decide whether it’s time for your child to move from a crib to a bed, ask yourself how she deals with boundaries. Does she want to climb out of bed the second you put her in it? Don’t rush it: She’s probably better off in a crib.
  • If your child’s been complaining about having a hard time getting comfortable in bed, that’s a sign he needs a bigger mattress. If you started him off in a twin, it could be time to move to a full.
  • If the mattress in question is more than seven years old, consider replacing it. It’s likely your child isn’t getting her best night’s sleep anymore, and the need for comfort and support increases with age.

    • Everything you never knew you needed to know about mattress protectors and why you need one - March 18, 2020

    You’re at the mattress store, ready to buy your new set, and the sales person asks if you would like to add a mattress protector to your order. You pause. A what? A mattress pad? No. A mattress protector. You might then wonder why you need such a thing. Let me explain.

    At the most basic level, a mattress protector provides a barrier between you and your mattress that keeps the mattress from absorbing excess moisture, dirt, and oil. It also provides a barrier against dust mites, bacteria, mold, mildew, and other nasty things that can be absorbed into your mattress.

    The average person loses approximately two pints of body moisture (sweat) per day. We also lose somewhere near 100 hairs a day and shed 40,000 dead skin cells per MINUTE. EWWWWW. Unprotected mattresses (and pillows, BTW) absorb body moisture and other liquids; causing premature breakdown of the comfort layers (foam is particularly sensitive to this). The comfort layers of a mattress are the components that create the overall feel of the mattress (i.e. firm or plush). Comfort layers are sponge like, consisting of absorbent foams and fibers. When moisture is combined with body weight, compression begins, causing dips, sags, and diminished comfort. An unprotected mattress can also become a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and mildew when moisture seeps into the layers of the mattress. Mattresses that have withstood damage from moisture are virtually impossible to clean and can continue to produce mold and mildew long after they are dry to the touch.

    Accumulation of hair and dead skin cells provide not only a breeding ground for dust mites, but also a proverbial smorgasbord of high protein food. According to the American Lung Association, dust mites do not bite or carry known diseases, it is their fecal matter and carcasses that create harmful allergens. SO GROSS. Dust mites are a major cause of asthma and allergies; especially in vulnerable individuals, such as childrenand the elderly. According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, approximately 10 percent of Americans exhibit allergic sensitivity to dust mites. Dust mites have also been linked to eczema, rhinitis, cough, nasal and facial pressure, frequent awakening (especially in infants), and even dark under eye circles! Bottom line: unprotected mattresses harbor allergens and bacteria that can create an unsanitary sleep environment.

    Premature breakdowns and unsanitary sleep environments lead to early replacement of mattresses. Considering the cost commitment of a high quality mattress, this is a preferably avoidable situation. The good news is that it IS an avoidable situation when you invest in a mattress protector!

    Protect-A-Bed Another reason to purchase a mattress protector at the time you purchase your mattress is to protect your warranty. An excerpt from Serta’s warranty explains that they, “reserve the right to refuse service and invalidate the warranty when the sleep set, even if defective, is in an unsanitary condition (due to blood or bodily fluid stains or soiling, infestation or other abuse), when the sleep set has evidence of damage from liquid penetration, cleaning or the use of cleaning fluids.” It is therefore critical to keep the mattress as clean and stain free as possible. As an additional incentive, some mattress protectors come with a warranty that also includes an additional warranty for the mattress itself in the event that liquids penetrate the mattress protector. This provides an added layer of security for you as a buyer in the event that a warranty issue should arise.

    At MurMaid Mattress we carry Protect•A•Bed mattress protector products. Protect•A•Bed is the original mattress protection company that has been available at MurMaid Mattress for at least 20 years. You can choose from protectors that not only protect your investment, but also ones that can help you sleep cooler at night with cool to the touch fabric surfaces. Adding these protectors to your purchase also allows you to qualify for our 365 night comfort guarantees that allow you to exchange your mattress for one that better suits your comfort needs for up to 1 full year.

    Choosing the perfect mattress for your sleeping position - Oct 17, 2019

    Stomach Sleeper

    Stomach sleepers usually prefer a medium to firm feel. They require more body contouring and a tiny bit of sinkage to accommodate the fact that their belly is underneath the main weight being applied to the mattress. Very soft or very firm mattresses may not provide the correct spinal support and contouring a stomach sleeper needs. Stomach sleepers frequently report sleeping hot. A temperature regulating fabric can help alleviate this problem.

    Staff picks for stomach sleepers:

    Back Sleeper

    Back sleepers generally choose a firm mattress. They can sleep well on a firm mattress as it will make them feel more supported than a softer mattress. Back sleepers tend to be more concerned with relieving stiffness and aching and less concerned with pressure point relief. A quality pocketed coil spring system or a core of super high-density firm foam can provide back sleepers superior support.

    Staff picks for back sleepers:

    Side Sleeper

    Side sleepers tend to prefer the softest mattresses. Side sleepers experience superior pressure relief in a softer or plusher mattress as the pressure is channeled more to one side and concentrated across a smaller surface than someone who sleeps on their back or stomach. Pressure points on the shoulders and hips are common complaints with side sleepers. Gel memory foam is a must have consideration for side sleepers as it contours and cradles the body to relieve pressure.

    Staff picks for side sleepers:

    When choosing the right mattress, it is important to keep in mind that a softer feeling mattress can be just as supportive as a firmer feeling one. Manufacturers using lower-quality materials, for instance, might offer a firm product that fails to deliver the necessary support. With new technologies such as memory foam and micro springs, mattresses can now meet the needs of sleepers in all positions without sacrificing comfort.