Mattress and Bed Information
Welcome to the new mattress information section
Best in Bedding constantly searches for the best mattresses and beds for you. We scour the product catalogs and read various bedding reviews for find you only the best.
I know that you will find this perfectly nifty cause we hunt down all the important stuff you’ll need when deciding on mattresses … whether you want information on traditional coil springs, adjustable, waterbeds, or even the new tempurpedic varieties.
Get all the advice you need so when you do finally add on the wonderful bed linens, comforters, and pillows you’ll sleep deep and well like you should!
Why does one mattress look the same as all of the other ones but one costs $100.00 and the other well over $1,000.00 ?
How come one bed cracks your spine and another cradles you like a baby..? Does your bed sag all the way to the floor without that particle board on top of the box spring..?
Mattresses and beds and how they fit into the fabric of our lives
The mattress on which you sleep may be where you spend as much as one-third of your life. If you’re in poor health, that proportion could be much greater.
Nonetheless, such a large amount of time is spent in the beds we select, so let’s make the best choice we can.
There are a lot of options you’ll want to know about- it’s important to be a smart shopper when investing in a bed that will be part of your life for years to come.
Let’s begin with the very first mattresses in a person’s life.
When parents bring home they newborn baby, having a comfortable, safe, and cozy crib mattress is important to helping the baby get a good nights sleep. If the crib mattress is well constructed and comfortable, the child will learn to sleep through the night more quickly — an event new parents look forward to so they can actually get back to sleeping through the night themselves.
When shopping for a crib or cradle mattress, be conscious of the fact that the baby mattress will provide support to the growing muscles and bones of the child. The baby mattress may be used for two or, more likely, three years before the child moves into a toddler bed. Therefore, quality construction makes a big difference.
Foam mattresses or cribs or cradles are preferred by many parents because they weight less, making changing sheets and turning the mattresses much easier. They are usually filled with polyester or poly ether and can be purchased in a variety of thicknesses. It might seem at first glance that thicker is better, but this is not necessarily true.
Density is the point which should be used to compare foam crib mattresses for your baby’s cradle or crib. The idea density is around 1 1/2 pounds per cubic foot, but most manufacturers do not list this information on the bedding labels, so compare by feeling each selection and choose a dense, supportive baby mattress for your little one. The firmer the better.
Innerspring crib or cradle mattresses are the other option for baby bedding. Many parents prefer mattresses constructed this way because they hold the shape during long, hard wear. The number of coils in this type of baby bed mattress is directly related to the firmness and a good rule of thumb is to look for baby mattresses with at least 150 coils so your child’s body is well supported while sleeping.
Choosing a baby mattress for cradle or crib that is the right fit is crucial. If the mattress is too small, the child could get between the mattress and side of the cradle or crib and suffocate. If you can place two fingers between the mattress and side of the bed, the mattress is too small for that cradle or crib. Firm bedding should be chosen for baby beds. Too soft bedding has been linked to some instances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
The baby mattress covering, the ticking, should be water resistant and you should seek double, or even better triple, laminated ticking reinforced with nylon so the bedding will be resistant to tears, holes, and wet diapers. Select a baby mattress that has plenty of vent holes so that any wetness or odors that get inside the bedding will be allowed to dry and air out. The mattress will not begin to smell stale and have a urine odor if it is well vented and aired out frequently.
After a child grows to about three years of age, it’s time to introduce the toddler bed.
A huge milestone in your child’s life.
Some parents choose small beds specifically sized for toddlers, but it can be quite practical to simply move up to a twin size bed mattress or daybed mattress which can last for many years. Depending on space available and budget, some parents opt to buy their child a full sized mattress and bed.
No matter which solution is best for your situation, you will want to provide a mattress quality that will survive years of wear and tear. That doesn’t mean that you can’t find an affordably priced selection from a mattress outlet or discount mattress store.
Choose a firm mattress that is well constructed. You may select a box spring and mattress set or a platform bed without the foundation underneath. Choose stain resistant ticking that is well sewn to prevent tears and holes.
You may wish to purchase from one of the well known retail mattress brands such as:
- Sealy
- Serta
- Posturpedic
- Simmons
- Tempurpedic
- Posturpedic
These brands are famous for all ages of course.
Getting back to your child’s bed, you might want to add a mattress cover. This can be a waterproof cover if potty training has not yet been perfected. Later, a mattress pad topper or pad can be added to increase that feeling of coziness.
In fact, if you love the idea of memory foam but find the mattress out of your budget, you can enjoy the comfort by purchasing a topper. Good tip there I’d say. =)
Mattress selections for teens and adults are just as important as for the younger family members.
Adult bed mattress sizes range from full size, queen, king size and the even larger sprawling California king.
Waterbeds are still a popular choice- with waveless, semi-waveless, and full-wave choices, the right waterbed flotation mattress is close at hand.
For babies, young people, and adults, allergies can be a problem.
Dust mites present in mattresses can result in an allergic reaction which can ruin sleep and cause symptoms which last during the day as well.
There are solutions for mattress and bedding for allergy sufferers. Select mattresses that indicate hypoallergenic materials are used in the construction and ticking. But don’t stop there.
To add protection, cover the mattress with a dust mite proof mattress cover. Choose pillows that are constructed of hypoallergenic materials and encase each pillow in a dust mite proof pillow cover which zips securely closed. This cover is used beneath the pillow case or pillow sham to provide a barrier against dust mites. Avoid any products that contain down or feathers.
If you or your kids have allergy problems, change your bed linens often, including the mattress cover.
Launder in warm water or according to label instructions.
While your bedding is being laundered, vacuum your bed mattress with a hepa filter equipped vacuum to remove as many dust mites as possible.
Bottom line:
Comfortable, quality mattresses and the bedding that makes the whole thing work doesn’t really have to be expensive, although you can expect better lasting quality when you invest a bit more.
By being a smart shopper, you can find your next favorite mattresses in every size from baby to spacious California king. How to buy a mattress differs from family to family based on special needs and personal preferences.
Just browse our increasing data base of reviews for great tips and information before you go and buy your next bed. I’m sure that you’ll find this new section on mattress selection will help you and be a time and money saver!