Just like adults, kids need a mattress that supports healthy sleep. But for growing kids, sleep needs tend to be a little different. In addition to proper spinal support—which comes from a mattress that’s neither too firm nor too soft—kids benefit from breathable and non-toxic materials for comfort and safety, along with an appropriate firmness and mattress size so they have room to grow. That’s why sizing down an adult’s mattress isn’t always the best option.
With its flippable design and certified organic materials, the Birch Kids Natural Mattress seems to check all the boxes for a child’s bed. But to be absolutely sure, the Mattress Clarity team put it through a series of tests to assess its performance and suitability for toddlers up to tweens.
We’ve tested more than 500 mattresses and sleep products, and in 2024 alone, we helped some 6,000 people find a better bed. We used that expertise to carefully evaluate the Birch kids’ mattress across multiple performance categories. That includes edge support, cooling ability, material quality, and pressure relief. Below, find our comprehensive review of the Birch Kids Natural Mattress. Spoiler: We’re fans! The dual-firmness design is great for growing kids, and we were really impressed with the edge support and pressure relief in this non-toxic organic mattress.
If you’d rather steer clear of synthetic materials when shopping for your child, the Birch Kids Natural is an intuitive choice. It boasts latex foam, organic cotton, and organic wool in its flippable construction. The latex is also innately hypoallergenic and cooling for added comfort. Simply flip to the softer or firmer side to change its feel during different stages of your child’s development.
Birch Kids Mattress Performance: My Overall Rating
We tested the Birch Kids Mattress in our studio using our own testing methodology. It’s been medically reviewed by our chief medical officer, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM. Based on the bed’s performance in multiple tests, we gave it an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Again, the flippable design and dual firmness levels makes it really well suited to growing kids, ensuring proper support and spinal alignment even as their bodies change.
I Recommend the Birch Kids Mattress for…
- Active sleepers who move around a lot can find as much support on the edge of this hybrid mattress as in the middle. That helps keep even very restless sleepers from falling off at night.
- Combination sleepers should be comfortable no matter which position they sleep in. The mattress does a great job of delivering on comfort, bouncy support, and pressure relief.
- Kids with allergies or sensitivities can keep their exposure to common allergens and potentially irritating chemicals to a minimum on this bed. It’s made with natural materials, including natural latex foam, organic wool, and an organic cotton cover.
- Parents on the hunt for a durable mattress that will see their child from the toddler stage up through the tween stage. Since it has two firmness options, the mattress accommodates the needs of kids even as they grow.
I Don’t Recommend the Birch Kids For…
- Kids prone to accidents. Since the bed doesn’t have a removable and washable cover, and it doesn’t include any kind of water-resistant finish, it’s a better fit for kids who have mostly outgrown nighttime accidents.
- Parents shopping on a budget. With its premium materials, including GOTS-certified organic latex and cotton, this mattress is on the higher end of the price spectrum for kids’ mattresses.
How Firm Is the Birch Kids Mattress?
Mattress firmness is pretty personal, since your body weight and how you prefer to sleep influence how soft or firm a mattress feels. Kids are usually smaller and lighter than most adults, which means they lack the weight to sink into the comfort layers in the top of a mattress. That means they often perceive mattresses to be firmer. Kids’ beds account for that, so they may feel quite a bit softer to adults.
Mattress Clarity tester Sosha Lewis falls into the average-weight sleeper category at 165 pounds. When she assessed the firmer side of the Birch Kids Mattress, she gave it a score of 7/10 on the firmness scale. On this scale, 1 is incredibly soft and 10 is as firm as the floor. “The little kid side is pretty firm, but I didn’t find it uncomfortable,” said Sosha. “It also did a good job supporting my hips and keeping me elevated.”
A firmer surface is recommended for younger children between ages 2 and 7 or so, especially as they transition out of a crib. Since the bodies of children in this age range are still developing, a firmer mattress keeps them from sinking too deeply, which can pull their spine and joints out of alignment. A firmer surface also means more stability, which helps reduce suffocation risks in young kids.
When she flipped the Birch Kids Mattress to the softer side, which is intended for kids ages 8 to 12 or so, Sosha puts its firmness closer to a 6.5/10. For the record, that rating gives this side of the bed a true medium-firm feel. As kids get a little older, comfort preferences become a bigger consideration and a little bit of softness can be really appealing.
How Well Did the Birch Kids Perform?
Here’s a quick look at how the Birch Kids Mattress compares to the average mattress we test.
| Test | Performance | Average |
| Firmness | 6.5/10 – Medium-Firm 7/10 – Firm | 6.7/10 – Medium-Firm |
| Side Sleeper Comfort | Good | Good |
| Back Sleeper Comfort | Good | Good |
| Stomach Sleeper Comfort | Good | Good |
| Pressure Relief | 5/5 | 3.9 |
| Edge Support | 5/5 | 4.1 |
| Cooling | 3.5/5 | 3.8 |
| Noise | 5/5 | 4.5 |
| Trial Period | 4/5 | 4.3 |
| Warranty | 4.5/5 | 4.6 |
How Does the Birch Kids Mattress Feel for Different Body Types and Sleeping Positions?
Kids usually fall into the lightweight sleeper category (under 130 pounds). Again, that means they often perceive traditional mattresses made for adults to be firmer, while many adults find kids’ mattresses to be on the softer side.
Below, we break down how sleepers in different weight classes and positions are likely to fare on the Birch Kids. It is a kids’ mattress, so it’s not intended to support heavyweight sleepers and it’s not ideal for some average-weight sleepers either.
| Sleeper Weight | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Light (under 130 lbs) | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Average (130-230 lbs) | Unpleasant | Excellent | Unpleasant |
| Heavy (over 230 lbs) | Unpleasant | Unpleasant | Unpleasant |
Average-Weight Tester – 130 lbs to 230 lbs
“I’m a big fan of this on my back, especially on the older kid side. It offered a great combination of support and contouring on the back. Both sides were good, but the older kids’ side is a little softer and I liked that,” said Sosha Lewis.
Birch Kids Mattress In-Depth Test Results
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief isn’t as critical for kids as it is for adults, because most kids lack the weight to create stress at the hips, shoulders, and joints. Proper alignment and consistent support are more important for kids, which is why they do best on firmer beds. Still, pressure relief isn’t something to overlook entirely, especially for kids aged 8 and up.
Sosha assessed both sides of the Birch Kids Natural Mattress to get an idea of its pressure relief in the side- and back-sleeping positions. Surprisingly, she fared pretty well on her side on the softer surface (intended for older kids), noting that her hips stayed nicely elevated. However, she found the firmer side of the bed a little less forgiving. More importantly, however, is her reminder to take her feedback through the lens of an adult. “I think the intended audience wouldn’t have any issues with pressure buildup,” she said. With that in mind, she gave it a 5/5 stars on both sides for side sleeping.
“I was impressed on both sides of the mattress but definitely on the older kid side,” noted Sosha. “The foam contoured around my back and the springs kept me aligned. I found it pretty comfortable.” Again, she scored the hybrid mattress 5/5 stars in the back-sleeping position.
The dual firmness in the Birch Kids Natural Mattress makes it really versatile, so we think it’s a good fit for toddlers through about age 12, no matter how they sleep.
Edge Support
Kids can be really active sleepers, and their nighttime acrobatics may take them from one side of the bed to the other and from the top all the way down to the bottom. At the same time, most kids’ mattresses are only available in smaller sizes—usually up to a full. For reference, the Birch Kids Natural Mattress is only available in twin and full sizes. The smaller size makes edge support a really important feature.
When a mattress has strong edge support, it means the stability along the side is just as good as the center of the bed. For smaller children or those with mobility challenges, strong edges also make it easier to get in and out of bed. The Birch Kids Natural Mattress has a durable hybrid construction that includes pocketed coils in the center, and they’re reinforced on the sides. After completing a few different tests, we scored the Birch Kids 5/5 stars for its truly excellent edge support.
In our first test, Sosha simply sat on the edge of the bed and observed how far the layers collapsed. She rose from a seated to a standing position, noting how supported she felt in the process. “It was easy to get in and out of bed on both sides,” she said. “It held my weight very well and I think it would be spectacular for kids. I wish adult beds had as good of edge support.”
In test two, Sosha laid on the edge of the bed, assessing how stable she felt in different sleeping positions. “I was super secure on both sides of the mattress on my side, back and stomach,” she reported. “I had no concerns about rolling out. Kiddos should be snug as a bug on this mattress.”
Finally, Sosha performed an objective test that involves measuring how far the layers sink under pressure. She measured the bed’s initial height—9 inches—and then placed a 45-pound weight directly on the edge of the bed. She used the tape measure to see how far the layers sank. It was merely .5 inch, which indicates excellent edge support and aligns with Sosha’s subjective testing.
Cooling
Sleeping kids can be little furnaces, especially when they’re younger. As they grow, fluctuating hormones can also contribute to night sweats. That makes breathability a key feature in a new mattress made for kids. Materials like cotton and wool contribute to more airflow, while natural latex is considered temperature neutral because it doesn’t trap body heat. You can find all of these organic materials in the Birch Kids Natural Mattress, so we had high expectations of its temperature regulation. But after performing both an objective and a subjective test on the mattress, we ended up giving it 3.5 stars.
In the objective test, Sosha used a thermal gun to record the surface temperature of the bed. It was 77.2 degrees. Then she lay on the bed for seven minutes, during which she performed a subjective test by observing whether she could feel the bed heating beneath her. “I could feel the mattress slightly warming up as I was lying here,” she said. “The longer I lay on the mattress, the warmer I felt.” The Birch Kids has an organic cotton cover. While it’s a breathable material, it lacks any sort of cool-to-the-touch feel offered in some synthetic fabrics, which are usually infused with cooling fibers.
Sosha then used the thermal gun to take a second temperature reading. It was 84.4 degrees, an increase of just over 7 degrees. That’s a little high—the best mattresses for cooling typically warm by fewer than 5 degrees. Despite its breathable materials, the Birch Kids ran a little warmer than we’d like.
Noise
We gave the Birch Kids Natural Mattress 5 stars in this category. We did our best to make it emit some sort of sound on both sides by pressing, rolling around, even bouncing, but it stayed silent. Light sleepers should have no issues at all.
Birch Kids Mattress Customer Experience Scores
Beyond the performance categories we reviewed above, we like to share details pertinent to the greater customer service experience. Here’s what to know about buying the Birch Kids Mattress.
Trial Period
Birch mattresses have a 120-night sleep trial, and the Birch Kids is no exception. It’s fairly typical in the mattress industry, but it means your child gets about four months to sleep on this bed in the comfort of their own bedrooms. That should be plenty of time to decide whether it’s a good fit or not. If it’s not working out after the first 30 days, you can return it for a refund within the 100-night trial period minus a $99 removal fee.
Returned mattresses are donated, recycled or otherwise repurposed, according to the brand.
Warranty
Birch mattresses purchased after February 1, 2025, including the Kids Natural, are backed by a limited lifetime warranty (prior to this it was a 25-year warranty). It applies to the original purchaser of the mattress, and you’ll need to hang on to a copy of your receipt as proof of purchase in the event you need to make a claim.
The warranty protects against manufacturer and material defects. If those issues arise in the first 10 years of ownership, the company will repair or replace the mattress at no charge. From year 11 on, prorated charges apply.
Unboxing and Moving
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress is shipped in a box right to your doorstep. This model is only sold in twin and full sizes, so maneuvering the box from the door to your kid’s room is pretty manageable. The mattress weighs between 55 and 70 pounds, depending on which size you buy.
Readiness After Unboxing
The Birch Kids Mattress begins decompressing as soon as the plastic wrapping is punctured, and it’s ready for sleeping in an hour or so.
Birch Kids Mattress Mattress Construction
After we’ve performed all of our tests, we make a point of looking under the covers, so to speak. We cut into the sides of all the beds we test so we can see the layers and construction for ourselves.
Mattress Height & Weight
Birch mattresses are individually handmade, so there can be slight variances in height and weight. Both a twin and full size Kids Natural should be about 8 inches tall, but we measured the one we tested at 9 inches. The twin size weighs roughly 55 pounds, while the full size is around 70 pounds.
Materials
As the name suggests, the Birch Kids Natural is made with natural and organic materials. That includes organic cotton in the cover, which gives it an appealing look. “I love the speckled sides and natural colors,” said Sosha. A layer of wool serves as a natural fire barrier, while the natural latex is certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Greenguard Gold. These certifications indicate a high level of sustainability and strict safety standards for volatile organic compounds emissions (VOCs), which can make this mattress a great fit for kids with allergies or dust mite sensitivities.
Layers
The Birch Kids mattress is a hybrid mattress, with a center layer composed of 6-inch individually wrapped coils. It’s a flippable model, so there are comfort layers above and below. The whole mattress is wrapped in organic, hypoallergenic cotton that gives it a little softness and stretch. On the firmer side, a fire-retardant fiber blend makes the Birch Kids fiberglass free. Just below are dual natural wool layers that give the bed its supportive feel.
The softer side of the mattress has the same fiber blend and wool layers, among other eco-friendly materials, but they’re a touch plusher. Between these layers and the innerspring coils is a GOLS-certified natural latex layer for contouring support.
How to Try and Buy The Birch Kids Mattress
Birch mattresses can be purchased online at birchliving.com, but they’re also sold in brick-and-mortar stores across the country. You can check the company’s showroom partners feature for a retailer in your area. Just be aware that they may not all stock the kids’ mattress, so it’s probably worth calling ahead.
If you order online, the kids’ mattress ships free to the 48 contiguous states. A $250 fee applies for mattresses shipped to Hawaii, Alaska and Canada.
White glove delivery is available in the 48 lower states at time of checkout for $199. It includes in-home setup plus removal of your old mattress and packaging.
Birch Kids Mattress Prices & Sizes
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress is only available in twin and full sizes. Here’s how it’s priced before the brand’s frequent sales.
| Size | Price |
| Twin | $998.66 |
| Full | $1,248 |
How the Birch Kids Mattress Compares
These days, most well-known brands offer a new mattress specifically engineered for kids. Below, find a side-by-side comparison of the Birch Kids Natural Mattress with three other popular kids’ mattresses.
- Nectar Kids Mattress – More economically priced
- BB Kids – Better suited to kids under 7
- Saatva Youth Mattress – Better for hot sleepers
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| Rating |
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| Firmness |
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Firm: 8/10
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Firm: 7.5/10
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Medium-firm: 6.5/10
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| Material |
Latex
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Foam
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Foam
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Innerspring
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| Cooling |
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| Best For |
Kids
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Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Kids |
Kids
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Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers |
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Birch Kids vs. Nectar Kids
Both the Birch Kids and the Nectar Kids are flippable models with dual firmness levels, but that’s really where the similarities end. The Nectar Kids has a firm and firmer side that we put at 7.5/10 and 8/10 during testing. It’s an all-foam bed with a removable cover that can be machine washed for easy cleaning. That’s a great feature in a kids’ mattress, especially for those prone to nighttime accidents.
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress is made with natural and organic materials and includes a layer of steel coils, while the Nectar Kids is composed of three foam layers. These layers are CertiPUR-US certified and the mattress is fiberglass free, but parents who are interested in a bed that won’t irritate allergies may prefer the Birch Kids.
The Nectar mattress has a better sleep trial at 365 days, though both beds come with lifetime warranties. From a pricing perspective, the Nectar comes out ahead. A full, the largest size available, is priced at $399.
Read more in our Nectar Kids Mattress review.
Birch Kids vs. Brooklyn Bedding Kids
The Brooklyn Bedding Kids Mattress is a supportive pick for younger kids up to about age 7. We found it lacks contouring, so it’s a better fit for back and stomach sleepers. It has a firm, all-foam construction and it’s available in twin, twin XL and full sizes. The simple construction keeps cost down—even the biggest BB Kids Mattress is priced at $332 before sales, so it’s much more affordable.
Both mattresses performed comparably in their cooling ability, but the Birch Kids outperformed in pressure relief and edge support. That’s thanks to its flippable design and hybrid construction. For kids who sleep on their sides, the Birch is going to be the better option to prevent pressure points. Neither bed has a removable cover, but the BB Kids is treated with a stain-resistant finish.
While the BB Kids doesn’t have organic or natural materials like the Birch Kids, it is CertiPUR-US and GreenGuard Gold certified.
Read more in our Brooklyn Bedding Kids review.
Birch Kids vs. Saatva Youth
The Saatva Youth Mattress is another dual-sided model. During testing, we rated its firmness as a 7/10 and a 6.5/10, so it’s really similar to the Birch Kids. The flippable nature of both mattresses means your child should sleep comfortably for years, even as they grow.
The Saatva is a hybrid model like the Birch, but we found it a better fit for back and stomach sleepers. Even the softer side might be a touch too firm for dedicated side sleepers. It tested well for edge support, though not as well as the Birch. On the other hand, it came out ahead in its cooling ability, so it’s likely the better pick if your child tends to run warm while they sleep. It’s interesting that the Saatva outperformed the Birch in the temperature regulation category because it’s made with memory foam—a material known for trapping heat. The dual coil layer likely promotes enough airflow to make up for it.
Both mattresses feature an organic cotton cover, but the Saatva Youth has a water-resistant finish and an antimicrobial treatment to help keep it clean. Again, for kids who are still prone to accidents, that can be a really appealing feature.
As for sizing, you have more options with Saatva. The Youth comes in three sizes: twin, twin XL, and full. It’s also taller at 10 inches, but pretty comparably priced ($799 and $1,059 before sales). The Saatva Youth has a more generous sleep trial at 365 nights, and it ships flat with white glove delivery. For busy parents, that might be a big selling point. Both mattresses are backed by a lifetime warranty.
Read more in our Saatva Youth review.
Birch Kids Mattress FAQs
Is the Birch Kids Natural Mattress any good?
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress is a high-quality hybrid with natural and organic materials. It has a flippable design with firm support for younger kids and medium-firm support for older kids.
How long does the Birch Kids Natural Mattress last?
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress is made with durable materials and it has a flippable design that grows with your child. With proper care, it should last 8 to 10 years.
What type of mattress do pediatricians recommend?
Pediatricians recommend a firmer mattress for kids. That helps ensure spinal support and alignment as they grow.
What type of mattress is best for a child?
The best mattress for kids is usually firm or medium-firm, with breathable, non-toxic materials. A hybrid construction boosts durability, while a flippable design accommodates changing sleep needs as children grow.
How thick should a kids mattress be?
A good kids’ mattress is usually 6 to 8 inches thick. Older kids and teens usually do better on a 10- to 12-inch mattress that has the comfort and support to accommodate more weight.