Birch Kids by Helix Detailed Mattress Review

Formed in 2015, Helix – maker of the Birch Kids – is all about personal preference and individuality. Each mattress is designed for your unique body type, sleeping position, and feel preference using Helix’s proprietary sleep technology.  That mantra, combined with advanced R&D and a focus on technology to drive sleep, allowed it to win countless independently reviewed awards.

Headquartered in New York City, Helix offers free shipping directly to your doorstep in the US and Canada with a 100-night no questions asked trial.

In 2019, Helix introduced its first all natural and sustainable brand Birch. The brand carries 100% organic certified products.  Here are a few of their certifications:

1. GOTS
2. Greenguard Gold
3. Forest Stewardship Council
4. eco-INSTITUT
5. Fair Trade Certified
6. Wool Integrity NZ
7. Rainforest Alliance Certified

Let’s dig into what makes the Birch Kids one of the most highly sought after Natural Mattresses for Kids:

The Cover & Fire Retardant Layer

Birch Kids starts with a hypoallergenic ultra soft 100% certified organic cotton cover.  Cotton is one of the softest, most breathable and most comfortable fabrics available. It’s cool, wicks moisture and, better still, is more sustainable.  The cover is followed by a layer of Birch’s organic wool and naturally made rayon fibers for a completely chemical-free retardant layer.  Additionally, wool is naturally antimicrobial and wicks away moisture providing freshness and natural cooling properties.

Comfort Layers

Birch designed their Kids mattress to be flippable so different age groups can take the most advantage of the mattress.  This differentiation occurs in the comfort layer.

Ages 3-7 Side: This side is firmer for additional support and to promote proper spinal alignment.  Directly beneath the cover lies the natural wool fire barrier, free from any chemicals or fiberglass.  Below the fire barrier Birch puts down a layer of firm Dunlop Latex.  This durable latex provides ergonomic support and contour, designed to dampen motion transfer and allow further support for growing kids.

Age 8-12 Side:  On the flip side, beneath the fire barrier, Helix lays down plush layer of Dunlop Latex.  By layering a plush latex the Birch Kids provides pressure relieving comfort Helix has struck the perfect combination to match the big kids’ sleeping style. Why latex? Latex naturally absorbs moisture and pulls away heat from the body. It keeps them cool throughout the night so they achieve the maximum benefits of sleep. Sandwiched in-between the comfort layers is Helix Kids coil support system.

Birch sources rubber exclusively from closely monitored plantations and the resulting latex foam is produced in the US. The latex foam is both GREENGUARD Gold and eco-INSTITUT certified to ensure high quality and safety standards. Additionally, the forests and plantations we source our latex from are also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and Rainforest Alliance.

Support System

Birch Kids’s support system employs 6″ triple tempered steel individually pocketed coils sandwiched in-between the comfort layers. This high grade steel provides superior support throughout the life of the mattress.  Helix uses stronger gauge steel around the perimeter to ensure greater edge support.

Finally, a second fire retardant base layer made of organic wool and rayon keeps your little one safe while providing stability and durability to the entire mattress.

Tufting

Tufting is the process where the individual parts of the mattress are either sewn or glued together to prevent slippage.  In Birch’s case, they chose top tufting, where the cover is sewn into the latex layer.  Tufting helps keep everything nice and together.  This is just another example of the little details Birch takes care of so you can rest easy.

Does Birch Kids Sleep Cool?

Yes!  Birch Kids has several mechanisms to give your little one a cool, dry and comfortable night sleep.  Feeling cool at night is all about feeling dry.  Birch Kids starts with the ultra wicking cotton cover and moisture absorbing wool which not only wicks moisture, but they improve airflow.  Latex is naturally cool and Birch perforates it to increase airflow.  And finally, the hybrid has springs which further promote air flow.  The result, a cool dry sleep all night long.

How about Edge Support?

Very Good: Birch reinforces the outer edge of the spring support system with thicker coils on every mattress.  This results in a stronger edge support allowing kids to sleep all the way to the edge with no worry of sliding off.  

Birch Kids mattress is specially designed for kids age 3-12.  But as kids age, their sleep support system needs change.  Birch took that into account when building the Kids mattress, making it durable and flippable for when the time comes for a comfort change, without sacrificing the support growing bodies need.  We’ll detail out how the two sides feel below.

No matter which side, your child will start off on a soft yet breathable hypoallergenic organic cotton cover.  This cooling, naturally anti-microbial fabric ensures that your child will be sleeping on a soft comfortable bed.

Age 3-7 Side: This is the firmer side.  Ideally designed to support the spine and promote proper posture, the denser latex selection provides additional support where the child needs it most.  Shortly after laying down, your child will feel the springs begin to support and cradle their body.  While firm, the surface is not “hard” and they will be receiving plenty of support that they need.  Your child will sleep more “on-top” of the mattress as opposed to “in” the mattress.

As a GOTS Certified product, the Birch Kids Natural Mattress has been independently verified to be organic, free from harmful chemicals, and ethically produced from the beginning to the end.

The Birch Kids Natural Mattress has been GREENGUARD Gold Certified by UL Environment, one of the leading environmental health agencies in the world. This means the mattress has been tested for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemical exposure, pollutants, phthalates, and formaldehyde. The Gold level certification offers even stricter regulations and means our products are considered safe for sensitive individuals, including children and elderly.

Our natural latex has been tested by an international organization to certify no emissions or VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are present. This includes testing for organic pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, and phthalates among other substances. This certification is not about merely meeting minimum requirements, but rather exceeding high level material as well as manufacturing standards.

Off Gassing

Due to the high natural materials, the Birch Kids mattress has no off gassing.  

Birch Kids comes in a box for easy shipping and moving to the bedroom. It’s crazy to think that a mattress with powerful springs and dense latex can be compressed, but it can.  And, with no sacrifice to quality and durability.  Some people ask if compressing the springs hurts their integrity.  Nothing could be farther from the  truth.  Springs are actually shipped compressed all over the world (to save space).  The springs integrity is damaged when they are pulled excessively or bent out of position.  But, the way Birch compresses its mattresses, they keep their shape and strength. 

The box arrives via FedEx.  Simply unbox the mattress.  Rest it on the bed frame and remove the plastic wrapping and the bed will decompress before your eyes.  Your child can begin sleeping on the bed and enjoying a restful night sleep that same day.  Moving most sizes will be a 2 man job, especially if going up stairs.  Check out the Dimensions below for more details.

Birch offers a 100 night trial period, giving your child over 3 months to test out the mattress.   You can either return it for a 100% refund, minus a $99 return shipping fee.  It truly is hassle free as Helix does all the heavy lifting.  Here’s how both systems work:

1. The trial begins when you RECEIVE the mattress (the fedEx delivery day).
2. Your child can sleep on it for 100 nights.  As there can be a slight break-in period, Birch asks that you not initiate a return during the first 30 days.  
3. If it’s not the mattress of your child’s dreams, reach out to Birch via phone, email or chat (on their website), provide your name and order number and let them know if you wish to start a RETURN.  There are no questions asked!
4. Birch coordinates a donation or recycling pickup on a day of your choosing.  They handle everything and there’s nothing you have to do besides letting them know the best pickup date.
5. Full 100% refunds (minus a $99 return shipping fee!!) are issued within 5 days of the pick-up. 

Yes, Birch offers pay-over-time financing through Klarna.

Birch Kids is sold exclusively online. However, if you are in the Chicago or Columbus, OH area, please visit our Sandman Sleep Chicago Showroom or our Sandman Sleep Columbus Showroom to try out the Birch Kids before you buy (we’ll even help get it ordered for you!)