Choosing the right mattress type Mattresses are designed to provide the support and comfort you need to relax and rest. If you have had your mattress for a while, you may be wondering if it is time to buy a new one. Research shows that people sleep better, suffer less back pain and experience fewer symptoms of stress when sleeping on newer beds. In general, your sleep quality improves if your sleep surface relieves pressure on joints and other areas of the body. Matching your specific comfort needs with the right product is a very subjective process. Mattresses are made with a variety of materials and technologies to deliver support systems that meet the broad array of consumers’ needs, tastes, and budgets. Mattresses should be evaluated every seven years for quality and support. If you haven’t shopped for a new mattress recently, there are many options to choose from. The following provides basic information on the different types of mattresses available today so that you are better equipped to choose a mattress that meets your needs.
Traditional spring mattresses don't offer the support you need to sleep through the night without tossing and turning. You'll find many different types of beds available, from spring to pillow top. But of all the bed types out there, the most technologically advanced and proven style of bed to relieve pressure on your back and hips at night is the memory foam mattress. It's a temperature- and pressure-sensitive visco-elastic material that conforms to the shapes of your body when you lie in bed. Three memory foam mattresses within the market are the Simmons Phenom, Sarah Peyton and the Amerisleep Liberty Bed. As almost all memory foam mattress reviews indicate, the material used for these mattress types is quite innovative and advanced, relying on chemical reactions to your body's heat in order to facilitate conforming to your body's shape. This reaction and support is ultimately dependent on how the mattress is made, which ultimately comes down to the main points specified below.
The thickness of even the best memory foam mattress varies from less than eight to more than 13 inches. While almost any thickness of mattress will provide relief at your pressure points, you should consider the depth of your current mattress and how the change will affect you. A thinner mattress tends to be less expensive, with the tradeoff of providing less support and not working with platform beds. In comparison, the more-expensive best foam mattresses will provide a much more supportive sleeping experience. The purpose of any memory or gel memory foam mattress is to provide support for all areas of your body and to relieve pressure points. Removing that tension ensures that you'll wake up less often with the need to adjust positions and thus will wake up more rested. These mattresses come in varying levels of firmness that range from very firm to pillow top. Each firmness grade will provide a different level of support for your body and can dramatically impact the way you sleep.
The construction of a memory foam mattress consists of combining levels of memory foam on top of a traditional mattress. Each layer of memory foam used is designed differently to create levels of support and dispersion of weight for increased levels of comfort. The design of these mattresses removes your ability to flip the mattress to create even levels of use, although the design of memory foam counterbalances the need to rotate a mattress over time. The average human spends an approximate total of six years of his life sleeping, which means you need a bed that will make those countless hours seem like less of an eternity. When a bed loses its level of support and body indentations begin to appear, you'll know that nights of waking up frequently to change positions are on the horizon. A good memory foam mattress will have a lengthy warranty period in place to replace used mattresses when their level of support begins to dwindle. Buying a new bed is a long-term investment that is well worth the expense.
Getting a good night's rest will increase your energy, productivity and health during the day, enabling you to live each day to the fullest. By performing thorough research and reading the best memory foam mattress reviews, you can make an informed decision when you're ready to buy.The lowdown on crib mattresses Types of mattresses What to look for when buying Important safety notes What it's going to cost you The lowdown on crib mattressesA good mattress not only makes bedtime cozier – it supports your growing baby and keeps her safe. Consider cost, comfort, and durability, as your baby will probably sleep in a crib for up to 3 years.Browse dozens of cribs.Types of mattresses“Breathable” mattresses, made of materials that are supposed to allow a baby to breathe freely even if his or her face is pressed up against it, are getting more popular. Experts haven’t yet weighed in on their efficacy.What to look for when buyingDensity: You want high density so it’s firm enough to keep your baby safe while sleeping.
Most foam mattresses don't list density on the packaging, but weight can be a good indicator. As for innerspring mattresses, manufacturers often equate the number of coils with firmness, but the gauge of the wire is just as important. Lower gauge means thicker wire, which is stronger and therefore firmer. Look for a mattress with 135 or more coils and a gauge of 15.5 or lower.Weight: A typical foam mattress weighs about 7 to 8 pounds, although mattresses made of memory foam (an especially dense form of polyurethane) can weigh close to 20 pounds. Innerspring crib mattresses are heavier in general, weighing in at about 15 to 25 pounds. Keep in mind that you'll be hoisting up a side of the mattress, or lifting the whole thing, when changing your baby's sheet.Cleaning: Most traditional mattresses suggest spot-cleaning only. Some have removable covers that can be machine-washed. The innards of at least one crib mattress on the market can be hosed down in the tub once its washable cover is removed.
Certification seals: Crib mattresses for sale in the United States must meet safety standards defined by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials. (The Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association does not test or certify crib mattresses.) A manufacturer's claim that a product is organic can mean a variety of things, but look for an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification (a worldwide uniform certification), which assures you that certain flame retardants and heavy metals were not used to make the mattress.Important safety notesNo matter what mattress parents choose, they should continue to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe-sleep guidelines and put babies to sleep on their backs on a firm, bare surface.What it's going to cost youCrib mattresses start at about $40 and can range to more than $350. Organic mattresses start at about $80 and can reach $400. Download our illustrated guide to crib mattressesAmerican Academy of Pediatrics.