Think mattress pads are just a required cover for your bed? Well, you’re partly right—every mattress does need a cover to protect from typical wear and tear. But the right mattress topper can do more: Some protect mattresses from dust, dander, and spills, some help the bed stay at a comfortable sleeping temperature, some reduce how much the bed moves when a sleeper tosses and turns, and some can even make a so-so feeling mattress a fabulous place to sleep. If you want to find the right mattress topper for you, this guide can help. Why do you need a mattress pad? Most people buy a new mattress pad because they either have a new mattress that they want to protect or because they're looking to make their bed more comfortable. What are you protecting your mattress from? Everyday wear and tear A basic cotton mattress pad A waterproof mattress pad Allergens like dust, dust mites and pet dander A mattress pad enhanced with anti-allergen properties
A mattress protector with bedbug barriers What would make your mattress more comfortable? Temperature control: A mattress pad that stays comfortable relative to how hot or cold I am in the night. Mattress pads filled with natural fibers like cotton, wool, or down. A bed that adjusts to my body: I'd like a mattress pad that makes my bed feel more custom-fit to me. A down-filled mattress pad, which is fluffy and comfortable-and will help keep the temperature even while you sleep. (If you're concerned about allergies, you can also opt for a down-alternative mattress pad.) A Visco Elastic mattress pad (aka, Memory Foam ) can also conform better to your body-these synthetic pads respond to body heat, getting softer in the spots you press the mattress most, and staying firm elsewhere-so they feel like they're supporting you where you need it. And if you opt for a cotton mattress pad, look for one with a higher fill count, which will feel softer. More firmness: I'd like my mattress to feel a little firmer than it currently does.
A latex mattress pad or a Visco elastic pad can add more firmness to the mattress for a more supported feeling. Reducing motion: I need a way to make my partner's tossing and turning less jarring to me when I sleep. A mattress pad made with Memory Foam or latex will reduce the transfer of motion, meaning one side won't move as much when the other one does. Mattress pads and mattress toppers are often confused. Here are the most common types of bed toppers. Type of mattress toppers Mattress Protector (a non-padded mattress covers) Non-padded mattress covers (sometimes called encasements) are designed to help protect a mattress from exposure to things that might damage it-like water, dust and dust mites, mold, pet dander, and other allergens. Non-padded mattress covers can be made of cotton, vinyl or super-tightly woven polyester fabric, and they usually zip up to totally surround the mattress. (You can get these encasements for box springs, too.) A fitted mattress pad works like a fitted sheet-a ring of elastic around its bottom edge helps secure it to the bed.
Unlike a sheet, however, a fitted mattress pad is quilted on top to provide a comfortable sleeping surface-and to circulate air to help sleepers' body temperatures stay more even during the night. Fitted mattress pads are a good match for most standard-size mattresses. Because it has a quilted top, a guaranteed-to-fit mattress pad helps make a bed feel more comfortable. It also offers better temperature regulation. The side panels of a guaranteed-to-fit mattress pad are made with an elasticized fabric that helps it attach securely to deeper mattresses, usually up to depth of 24". (These mattress pads are sometimes referred to as Tailor Fit or Expand-a-Grip.) Visco Elastic Mattress Toppers These mattress toppers, sometimes called memory foam, are designed to provide additional support to sleepers. They conform to the body because they're made with a temperature-sensitive material that contracts more where the body is warmer, but stays firmer where the body is cooler. These mattress toppers can also dampen motion when a sleeper moves.
Visco elastic mattress pads are placed on the bed underneath the fitted sheet. These mattress toppers are essentially mattress-sized pillows designed to create a more comfortable sleeping surface. Fiberbeds and featherbeds cradle body areas that don't come into contact with the mattress. These stuffed pads are made with natural materials like down and cotton or with man-made materials, and can be placed underneath or on top of a fitted sheet. Also referred to as egg crates, these dimpled foam pads are designed to improve body weight distribution. They add support, help reduce tossing and turning, and add a layer of cushioning to the bed. These mattress pads are electric and come with warming controls. Some come with dual controls that let you have different warmth settings for each side of the bed. The cover's fabric content: 100% cotton covers will provide superior comfort and durability over cotton/polyester blends; many are treated with fabric protection that makes them stain- and water-repellant as well as anti-microbial.
The cover's thread count: This number stands for the number of threads per square inch of fabric. A higher thread count of a better quality yarn will provide a mattress pad with greater resistance to wear and tear (it will feel softer, too). The mattress pad's fill: Most mattress pads have a polyester fill. As you'd expect, thicker fill provides more cushioning. Down-alternative fills, which are made of super-fine gel fibers, provide extra support and comfort. All mattress pads are machine washable. The general rule is to launder them less frequently than you wash your sheets, but more frequently than your comforter.“How can one tiny baby possibly need all of this stuff?” It’s a question new parents usually ask themselves as they stock up with countless purchases to accommodate the arrival of their bundle of joy. Baby gear galore is marketed to inexperienced moms- and dads-to-be who simply want what’s best for their newborn — and if told an item is a ‘must-have,’ many add it to the nursery, which may already be overflowing with items that will end up being of little to no use.
Let us help take some of the clutter out of baby’s homecoming. Here are 10 things that you DON’T need to buy for your new baby to welcome him into the world. Whether your green diaper changing regimen includes reusable cloth wipes, or moistened biodegradable wipes, a baby wipe warmer needn’t be on your list of purchases. If you’re worried about giving baby a chill, simply warm up the wipe between the palms of your hands before swiping it across his bottom. You may also opt to wrap baby in a cozy towel during diaper changes to keep him warm overall. Imagine all of the large and clunky plastic diaper pails that will end up in a landfill once baby outgrows the diapering stage. Not to mention all of the plastic trash bag liners that go inside the diaper pail. Since there’s really no way to re-use a diaper pail after its intended purpose, make due without one. Take soiled diapers outside to your trashcan regularly to avoid household odors. If you still deem the stink collector a must-have, thoroughly wash and disinfect it when you’re finished with it, and research donating it to a shelter, daycare or Goodwill.
You may also look into foregoing diapers entirely with the Elimination Communication method. You don’t need to buy a separate piece of furniture dubbed a “changing table” to accommodate your baby during diaper changes. It’s easy to convert any dresser into a changing table by placing a changing pad that includes a safety strap on its level surface. You can also buy changing pads that will turn any nook in your home into an instant changing station. Just remember to never leave baby unattended during a diaper change. Many companies now offer specialized baby laundry detergents, often at a higher price point. Unless your pediatrician recommends otherwise, you can typically use the same eco-friendly, non-toxic, dye- and fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergent you’ve been using for your entire household to wash baby’s clothing and cloth diapers as well. If you’re planning on co-sleeping with your baby, buy a co-sleeper instead of a crib. Our baby ended up sleeping with us through infancy and then went straight into a ‘big girl’ bed.
Her crib simply took up space and went unused. Discuss your sleeping arrangements beforehand, because a crib may not be something you need, even though it tops the list of newborn purchases! The ultimate toy for a newborn? Your face and voice — which serve as the ultimate discovery zone and stimulating entertainment session for a newborn. Most new parents assume they need to find the latest and greatest educational toys and videos to turn their newborn into a genius, but the best way to engage and bond with your baby is to interact with him in an animated fashion. Read him The New York Times out loud over breakfast, sing to him, and involve him in your day-to-day activities by narrating what you’re doing. Of course, green toys are great for older babies, but during the newborn stage, they come in a distant second to your TLC. Blankets are by far one of the most popular baby gifts, but few are actually safe and appropriate for wrapping up baby. The soft, cushy factor that adults love about baby blankets pose a risk to sleeping babies due to their fluffy texture and their risk of overheating.
Instead, opt for thin receiving blankets and swaddling blankets, like the one seen at the top of this post, and layer them over baby’s pajamas or clothing as the base for keeping them toasty. Babies have no real need for shoes until they start to stand, toddle and walk — then you can go crazy buying adorable kicks. But when they are tiny newborns, slip their cute little toes into socks to keep their feet warm. Hard-soled, restrictive shoes may actually impair the proper development of baby’s feet… so letting your little one walk in bare feet or soft-soled shoes or socks is healthier. A few keepsake items of fancy clothing which may be handed down for generations are always fun to buy for a new baby. But resist the urge to go on an expensive shopping spree buying baby designer clothes that she’ll outgrow so quickly, and that will no doubt be subject to drool, spit-up, and diaper blowouts! You may look around your current living space and wonder where you’ll fit your baby and all his accouterments, but rest assured that he will fit into your abode seamlessly, because he takes up so little space!