This blog is intended as a resource for parents looking for a mattress that will fit the Birch Montessori Floor Bed and/or the Sosta Bed. We know this is an important transition for parents and children alike, and we hope parents feel empowered and educated to make the proper decisions for their unique child. For specific safety insight regarding children's bedding & regulations, our Bedding Recommendations blog can be a helpful resource. 

Jump To:

• What Mattress Should I Get
• Safety Guidelines
• Finding a Mattress
• Customer Mattress Fit Feedback
• Tips from Parents
• Infant Sleep Recommendations
• Customer Photos

What Mattress Should I Get

We recommend the following mattress dimensions for a safe and comfortable fit in our bed frames:

Birch Montessori Floor Bed

Crib Size: 52" L x 28" W

Twin Size: 75” L x 38" W

Full Size: 75" L x 54" W

Do you need a mattress for the Sosta Bed? See here for more info.

Safety Guidelines

It is important for your child’s mattress to fit snugly in the bed frame. If the mattress is too big and is forced to fit inside the bed frame, the quality of the mattress may be compromised. If the mattress is too small, gaps between the mattress and the bed frame can lead to entrapment. (Entrapment is when a child’s body or limb becomes trapped between the mattress and the bed frame, or between the bed frame and the wall, and they are unable to free themselves.)

Children are curious and love to explore their environment. We encourage you to prepare their sleep environment with their curiosities in mind and prepare for any and all safety concerns. Read more about preparing a safe sleep space. 

Finding a Mattress

Boxed mattresses have become popular for their convenience, but unlike traditional mattresses, they expand upon arrival, which can lead to slight size variances. This natural expansion may make it harder to achieve a perfect fit with your bed frame or bedding. To avoid surprises, we recommend discussing any variance allowances with the mattress company you’re considering.

When choosing the right mattress for your child, you can ask a few key questions to ensure the best fit:

1. What is the recommended mattress firmness for your child’s age? 
2. What kind of airflow do they recommend for your child’s sleeping style? If they are a hot or cold sleeper, how will this affect how much airflow they need? 
3. What level of size variance do they allow in their mattress? 

Mattress Thickness

In addition to size variance, the thickness of the mattress plays a key role in comfort and functionality. For greater independence, we suggest a mattress thickness of 4-8 inches, allowing your child to get in and out of the bed more easily. In addition, thicker mattresses will sit above the frame, which can alter the bed’s appearance.

Since mattress companies have different standards for size variance, it’s essential to reach out directly to the company you're considering. Some brands allow only a small amount of variance, while others may permit sizes to vary by up to an inch. For the most accurate fit, inquire about their variance standards before purchasing.

Community Mattress Fit Feedback

Here are experiences customers have shared with us regarding mattresses in Sprout frames:

Newton Baby Crib Mattress: Customers highly recommend this mattress for its snug fit in the crib-size Birch Montessori Floor Bed. They appreciate its breathability and the convenience of its washable cover.

Brentwood Home Juniper Organic 6” Cotton Mattress (from Costco): Customers have found this mattress to be an affordable option that consistently fits well within the frame. However, some have mentioned that it feels fairly firm and may be too thin to provide optimal comfort for adults.

Milliard Foam Mattress: Customers have noted that this mattress provides a reliable fit in the twin-size Birch Montessori and Sosta Beds. Its medium firmness is frequently mentioned as a good balance for growing children.

Colgate Eco Classica III: Parents appreciate the dual-firmness design of this mattress, which offers a firmer side for infants and a softer side for toddlers. It is mentioned as a good fit for crib-size beds.

Tuft & Needle Original Mattress: Customers describe this mattress as consistently sized, breathable, and durable. It has been reported as fitting well in twin-size beds.

Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress: Customers highlight this mattress for its affordability, quality, and good fit in the full-size Birch Montessori Floor Bed.

Naturepedic Organic Mattress: Customers consistently highlight the comfort and quality of the Naturepedic mattress, appreciating its organic and non-toxic materials. However, a few have noted size discrepancies, particularly with the full-size (and occasionally the twin-size), which can lead to gaps between the mattress and the bed frame.

Avocado Mattress: The Avocado mattress has a high degree of variance, which can make it unsuitable for some bed frames. Reported sizing inconsistencies have led to mattresses that were either too large or too small, despite the advertised dimensions. According to Avocado, "We make our mattresses a tad bit larger than crib dimensions so they fit snug, eliminating gaps between the mattress and crib, and we also allow for up to a 1" variance from the advertised dimensions."

Helix Mattress: One customer reported that their Helix mattress was 4 inches shorter than the advertised dimensions, leading to noticeable gaps in the frame.

Leesa Kids Mattress: A customer shared that the Leesa Kids mattress caused significant gapping between the mattress and the bed frame.

Nest Puffin Mattress: One customer noted that the advertised dimensions for the Nest Puffin mattress were off by 2 inches, resulting in fit issues within the bed frame.

If purchasing a mattress from these brands, double-check measurements with the manufacturer to account for potential size variances. Please note that we are not a mattress company. Our Customer Support agents are not trained or qualified to answer questions about mattresses aside from giving the mattress size we recommend to fit in our bed frames. As such, we defer to the expertise of mattress companies when it comes to providing the most accurate information regarding the specific type of mattress your child needs for a safe sleep environment.

Final Tips from Parents

1. Measure Twice, Order Once: Customers suggest double-checking mattress dimensions with the manufacturer before purchasing. Even trusted brands sometimes have slight variances in sizing.
2. Consider Mattress Thickness: A thinner mattress sits lower in the frame, which could create a surface children might bump into. Many parents recommend a 5 to 7-inch mattress for a good balance of comfort and practicality. For children who sleep still, thinner options may work just fine, so consider your child’s sleep habits when choosing.
   
   1. Mattresses that stick above the frame: Many parents shared that their children loved having a bed they could climb into on their own. A thicker mattress that sticks far above the frame might provide extra comfort, but might also be more challenging for a toddler to climb into independently. It all depends on your preference!
3. Snug Fit is Key: Safety starts with the right fit. Look for a mattress that fits tightly within the bed frame, leaving no gaps.
4. Invest in a Waterproof Mattress Protector: Parents recommend using a waterproof mattress protector to prolong the life of the mattress.
5. Let the Mattress Air Out: If your mattress has a slight odor upon unboxing (common with foam mattresses), parents recommend letting it air out for 24–48 hours before use.

Infant Sleep Recommendations

Please note that we can never advise whether a child is ready for a certain bed or not. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations prevent companies from selling beds that are not enclosed as products for infants under 15 months. Many families choose to switch their children earlier than 15 months. We say that ultimately, as a parent you'll know what's best for your child to meet their specific needs.

If you would like to learn more about specific mattress recommendations, check out these links: 

Mattress Clarity

Babylist Article 

We update this blog regularly with feedback from our customers. If you have an experience you'd like to share, please reach out to us at support@sprout-kids.com. Your feedback helps us provide accurate and helpful guidance to other families navigating this decision.

Provide Mattress Feedback

Customer Photos

Juniper Mattress:

Leesa:

Naturepedic:

Tuft & Needle:

Delta Children: