Buying a Youth/Teen Mattress Set

1. Buy the best set your budget can afford. Quality sleep is very important for young people. We know that growth hormones are secreted at night while sleeping, so a good night's sleep is essential. Your child may not weigh much now, but it's very important to maintain proper postural alignment as he/she grows older.
2. Look for a mattress with the proper number of coils. Those low priced sets you see advertised in the paper may not have enough coils in the innerspring system to provide adequate support. Make sure you buy a mattress with at least 211 coils (twin size) or 312 coils (full size) for your child. The coils should be heat-tempered, also, for longer lasting performance.
3. Comfort vs. Support: A mattress need not be hard as a board to provide proper support. A good mattress and foundation will gently support your child's body at all points while keeping the spine in the same shape as a person with good standing posture. Have your child accompany you when purchasing a mattress and have him/her lie down on several models of comparable quality, choosing the one that feels most comfortable.
4. Don't forget the foundation (box spring). A good foundation is important to the total support and comfort of the mattress set. It acts like a large shock absorber taking wear and tear away from the mattress and adding years to its life. Putting a new mattress on an old foundation (box spring) may rob it of needed support.
5. Allergy-free upholstery materials: Know what upholstery material are used in the mattress you select. Upholstery materials are those combinations of foam and fibers that lie between the top cover (ticking) of a mattress and the metal innerspring system inside. If your child has allergy problems, select a mattress that uses only non-allergenic materials.
6. Warranties can be misleading. Don't buy a mattress based solely on the warranty, which can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another. The warranty is there to protect you against product defects, not against the gradual loss of comfort and support. Also, be aware of the difference between prorated and non-prorated warranties. A 10-year non-prorated warranty may be less costly to you than a 15-year prorated warranty in case of defects. Ask your salesperson to explain the warranty that applies to your mattress set.
7. Don't forget the mattress pad: Use a good quality mattress pad to keep your mattress set looking new and free from stains. Remember that stains on your mattress may void your warranty from some manufacturers. Pads also add an extra layer of comfort to the bed.

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