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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.
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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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