Our team at Sleep Foundation conducts extensive hands-on tests for each mattress to provide you with the most reliable, data-driven recommendations and reviews. Below are key guidelines that inform our testing methodology:
Our testers lie on the surface of each mattress to evaluate factors such as contouring and support. We also use specialized tools to measure performance criteria like pressure relief, heat retention, and motion isolation.
We test each mattress using various sleep positions to observe whether a mattress is better suited for side, back, or stomach sleeping. We roll around the surface and sit on the edges to gauge ease of movement and perimeter support.
We have tested hundreds of mattresses and bring years of experience in the mattress industry to the test lab. Our testing team covers a wide range of sleep preferences, sleep positions, and body types. This helps us represent as many sleeper types as possible in our reviews.
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Price Range:
$899 – $1,099
Mattress Type: Latex Hybrid
Firmness Options: Medium Firm (6), Firm (7)
At A Glance
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress is made with organic and natural materials, making it a safe and healthy sleep for children. Its supportive and durable design is very effective at providing comfort for growing bodies.
Ratings Summary
Motion Isolation
5.5/10
Edge Support
7/10
Temperature Control
8/10
Ease of Movement
8/10
Off Gassing
8/10
Pressure Relief
5/10
Pros
Specifically made for growing kids, with two sides to meet their changing needs
Made from natural materials including wool, cotton, and latex
Exceptionally easy to move around, which is great for kids who change positions in their sleep
In 2019, the direct-to-consumer mattress company Helix Sleep launched Birch as its eco-conscious sleep product brand. Birch makes bedding, bed bases, pillows, and three mattress models using natural materials like cotton, wool, cashmere, and latex.
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress is designed specifically for growing children ages 3 to 12. This flippable hybrid mattress includes firm (7) and medium firm (6) sides to better meet their evolving needs, and the natural materials might also appeal to parents concerned with exposure to chemicals.
While the Birch Kids Natural Mattress is the brand’s only mattress for kids, the company also produces the Birch Natural Mattress and the Birch Luxe Natural. Both are medium firm (6) hybrids that use cotton, wool, latex, and pocketed coils. However, the Birch Luxe Natural Mattress includes an upgraded comfort system and zoned lumbar support.
We’ll explain what makes the Birch Kids Natural Mattress unique and who might benefit from this flippable children’s model. We’ll also summarize company policies that might affect the overall value and convenience of your purchase.
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Mattress Performance
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Motion Isolation
5.5
/ 10
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress’ motion isolation is on par with most hybrid models. Some movement travels across the surface of the bed due to the bounce of the latex and the coils, but it isn’t significant.
Motion transfer typically isn’t a concern for children who sleep alone. However, there may be some vibrations if a parent rises from the edge of the bed after helping their child fall asleep.
Pressure Relief
5
/ 10
Softer
Side: 8 / 10
Firmer Side: 6.5 / 10
Compared to other hybrid models for kids, the Birch Kids Natural Mattress offers notable pressure relief. Both sides of the mattress include wool for cushioning and latex for contouring. The individually pocketed coils in the core also move independently of one another to further enhance the contouring.
Both the medium firm (6) and firm (7) sides of the mattress perform well in this category, but the softer side has a slight advantage. Designed for children between the ages of 8 and 12, the softer sleep surface’s deeper cradling better redistributes older children’s weight to prevent pressure buildup around heavier areas.
Temperature Control
8
/ 10
Each component of the Birch Kids Natural Mattress is breathable in its own right, helping the model maintain a more neutral temperature.
The cotton cover allows air to circulate through the mattress, while the top layer of wool wicks away moisture. Airflow through the latex layer’s open-cell structure and breathable coil core further limits body heat buildup.
Edge Support
7
/ 10
The perimeter of the Birch Kids Natural Mattress doesn’t compress excessively, allowing children to use the bed’s full surface area. The latex layer evenly distributes body weight, and the individually wrapped coils provide even support.
The sturdy edges may be particularly beneficial for children who like to sit along the edge and those who sleep close to the side.
Ease of Movement
8
/ 10
Thanks to its responsive, buoyant materials, the Birch Kids Natural Mattress is exceedingly easy to move on.
The latex layer cradles a child’s body without hugging it closely, and the material regains its shape quickly when they move. Without a lingering body impression, most kids can change positions easily. The bounce of the coil core adds to this effect.
Off-gassing is typically associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced when manufacturing synthetic foam. The Birch Kids Natural Mattress does not contain synthetic foam and is GREENGUARD Gold certified for low VOC emissions, so it has less off-gassing than many other kids mattress models.
That said, the natural latex may have a slight rubbery odor when you first unpack the mattress. The smell should air out within a few days.
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress is a flippable hybrid model with a firmer side intended for ages 3 to 7 and a softer side designed for 8- to 12-year-olds. Since crib mattresses should be firm for safety reasons, the firmer of the two sides can provide a transitional sleep surface for kids adjusting to their first bed.
We found that the firmer side equates to firm (7) on our 10-point firmness scale, while the softer side is medium firm (6). This model measures 8 inches thick, which is considered low-profile.
The company suggests flipping the mattress when your child turns 8 to provide a plusher and more contouring sleep surface. Of course, children develop at different rates, and body weight and your child’s sleep preferences should guide your decisions. Consult your child’s pediatrician if you have questions about their sleep needs.
Birch Kids Natural Mattress: Materials and Construction
Both sides of the Birch Kids Natural Mattress use the same basic construction, which includes organic wool and natural latex. The wool is multipurpose, adding cushioning and temperature regulation while acting as a natural fire barrier. Birch uses different latex formulations on each side, which accounts for the differing firmness levels.
Sandwiched between the comfort layers is a 6-inch pocketed coil core that supports both sleep surfaces while providing bounce. An organic cotton cover encases the mattress without significantly restricting airflow.
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress’ materials hold an array of certifications, meaning they meet a number of third-party content, sourcing, and safety standards. These include Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Fair Trade, eco-INSTITUT, and GREENGUARD Gold certifications.
Firmness
Reversible: Medium Firm – 6, Firm – 7
Mattress Type
Latex Hybrid
Construction
Cover Material:
Organic Cotton
Comfort Layer:
Organic Wool
Natural Latex
Support Core:
6″ Pocketed Coils
Birch Kids Mattress Sizes
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress comes with a higher price tag than many of the best mattresses for kids because of its hybrid design and natural materials. In general, hybrid or latex mattresses tend to have a higher average price than foam or innerspring models.
That said, the Birch Kids Natural Mattress may be a good value for some families since its flippable design may extend the usable lifespan. Additionally, the natural materials may appeal to eco-conscious parents.
Because this model is intended for children, it does not come in all six standard sizes and is just available in twin and full. Unlike some competing models, it is not sold in twin XL size.
At 8 inches thick, the mattress is designed with bunk beds in mind, though you should check bunk bed guidelines and the specifics of your model to ensure the mattress is compatible and safe, as some bunk beds require thinner mattress models for safety reasons.
Sizes
Dimensions
Height
Weight
Twin
38″ x 75″
8″
N/A
Full
54″ x 75″
8″
N/A
Trial, Warranty, and Shipping Policies
Availability
Birch mattresses are available through the Birch website, select third-party retailers, and brick-and-mortar partner showrooms across the United States. Note that different policies may apply to mattresses not purchased directly from Birch.
Shipping
Orders through the Birch website ship for free to all 50 U.S. states. Birch also ships to Canada, though shipping charges apply. Mattresses ship via FedEx, typically within 3 to 10 business days. The mattress arrives compressed, sealed in plastic, and encased in a box.
Additional Services
Birch offers White Glove delivery to select zip codes through a third-party vendor. This service carries an additional fee and includes new mattress setup and old mattress removal. Alternatively, separate options are available for customers exclusively seeking in-home setup or old mattress removal.
Sleep Trial
Shoppers who purchase the Birch Kids Natural Mattress directly through Birch can try it at home with the brand’s 100-night sleep trial. After 30 nights, it becomes eligible for return for the remainder of the trial window. A $99 removal fee applies.
Warranty
The Birch Kids Natural Mattress comes with a partially prorated 25-year limited warranty. For the first 10 years, Birch repairs or replaces mattresses with qualifying defects at no cost to the owner. From years 11 through 25, Birch replaces eligible mattresses at a prorated charge in addition to applicable shipping fees.
Covered defects include deterioration that leads to a visible indentation greater than 1 inch, physical flaws that cause the latex or coils to split or crack, and manufacturing defects in the cover.
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