Young children need more sleep than adults. They spend up to half their lives in bed. A good-quality bed and firm mattress that supports the spine are essential for a child’s health. A small child-size bed is a false economy. An under-five may look a bit lost in a big bed, but not for long, bed frames should be sturdy and well constructed to be safe—go for divan bases, metal frames or plain wooden bedsteads. Invest in a good mattress and, if your child is not reliably dry at night, provide extra protection with a padded washable mattress cover. Filling up extra space at the bottom of the bed with soft toys and teddies also helps transform the bed into a friendlier place. High-level beds, incorporating a desk or play area underneath, are good space savers and provide scope for imaginative play. Ensure the basic framework is sound and well anchored, and the ladder and guardrails are strong and steady. Where older children share a room, bunk beds are always popular.
