Mattress for Side Sleepers

[coolbranch]

I have searched the web looking to answer the question "What is the best mattress for side sleepers?" . I realize that side sleeper mattress choice is highly subjective and and an individual preference. I would however like to hear opinions of our forum members.

[Madzamboni]

We ended up going with a Sleep Number bed, which was about the same cost as a good quality mattress. It's been a God Send for both my wife and I. Especially because I found I like one setting for when I am on my back and one setting for when I am on my side. Made a huge difference with my back problems as well.

[Hopefullady]

Anything you want to know about beds,'I am your girl!

Are you strictly a side sleeper? Do you sleep any portion of the night on your back or stomach? If so, how long in each position?

[coolbranch]

Hopefulllady, I start sleep on my left side and after a short time I flip over to the right side predominately. I basically flip from side to side since diagnosed with OSA. I used to sleep some on my back prior to diagnosis but not anymore. Last time I slept on my stomach I was in my 20's.

I have fairly wide shoulders and about half the time they hurt when I awake, due to the side sleeping creates pressure points on each shoulder.

[robysue]

I'm predominantly a side sleeper and I'll second the suggestion of a Sleep Number bed. I know that not everybody likes them, but I and hubby really like ours.

I particularly like the fact that you can adjust the bed to eliminate pressure points. In my case, I'm just so light that on a traditional hard mattress, I don't actually "sink in" enough at the hips and shoulder to provide support for the part of my body that lies between the hips and the shoulder. And that caused my back to twist in a not particularly good way. On the sleep number bed, I can make my side of the bed soft enough that my whole body is properly supported, but at the same time the bed doesn't feel overly soft.

[Hopefullady]

The sleep number beds sound great. I have not tried those.

The mattress industry has gone hugely downhill over the last 10 years. Most of the springs they use are decent but the problem is the many layers of cheap foam on top of the springs that break down quickly.

My favorite bed was (believe it or not) an air mattress, the ones they sell at Bed Bath & Beyond, because I could inflate it to whatever level I wanted and it was both supportive and offered pressure relief where I needed it. I'm single so I just bought a single one for about $100. It's wide, too.

Second to that i like a very good, firm spring mattress (for support & alignment) - but with fairly dense memory foam on top (maybe 3"-4" for someone with broader shoulders) for pressure relief. I love memory foam for side sleeping because I sink in just right.

Unfortunately for me, I have an allergy now to chemicals so I can't use it anymore, nor the air beds. I need all-organic bedding so I use springs & latex, which does not have the same density feeling I crave that memory foam does.

If you're strictly a side sleeper, perhaps a supportive pocket spring unit with memory foam would be nice. But I would be sure the pocket spring unit is indeed a higher quality, supportive unit. There are softer ones that I do not prefer; they're too saggy.

When I got into my 40s, I also needed a very fluffy body pillow to hold between knees and arms while side sleeping, for better alignment. Best ones I've found are either at Sears (about $15) or Bed Bath & Beyond (about $40).

If you're really struggling with finding a good bed, I highly recommend this very excellent website:

Themattressunderground.com

Phoenix, the owner of the site, is highly knowledgeable and can even recommend good retailers or manufacturers (cut out the middle man cost) in your area.

Just remember if you go to that site, that similar to CPAP, we can get "information overload" so I've learned to do the research but not over-complicate it.

Best

[palerider]

I'll go a wholly different direction, and instead of air, suggest water.

a waterbed was the original conforming support, plus they're SO nice in the winter, with the heater keeping the bed at a comfy temp, and, in the summer, you turn the heater down, (or off) and the bed's cool.

there is a whole range of mattresses from full motion to fully damped, as well as the traditional hard side, and soft side ones that are, to all appearances, a regular mattress...

but a mattress that never sags, or develops a low point, or develops a pinhole leak you can't find and goes flat on you, or has to be pumped up every night.

plus, they're a lot cheaper than those fancy airbeds.

[ChicagoGranny]

What is the best mattress for side sleepers?

Absolutely the best mattress for sidesleeping! This is my spare that I take on trips.

[palerider]

What is the best mattress for side sleepers?

Absolutely the best mattress for sidesleeping! This is my spare that I take on trips.

my what big feet you have, granny!

I imagine that first 'turn over' will leave quite a lasting impression.

[coolbranch]

Mattress/Bed industry has gone freaking ridiculous with their pricing. No way I will shell out that much jack for a mattress.

[chunkyfrog]

+100
I will never spend more for a mattress than the price of my cpap.
Not even close!

[Hopefullady]

Granny, that photo is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

I am hoping that with my CPAP I can return to back sleeping because it doesn't require as comfortable/complicated a mattress as side & stomach sleeping

I never wanted to have to learn everything I know about mattress components.

[coolbranch]

You nailed it CF!

[postitnote]

I'll go a wholly different direction, and instead of air, suggest water.

a waterbed was the original conforming support, plus they're SO nice in the winter, with the heater keeping the bed at a comfy temp, and, in the summer, you turn the heater down, (or off) and the bed's cool.

there is a whole range of mattresses from full motion to fully damped, as well as the traditional hard side, and soft side ones that are, to all appearances, a regular mattress...

but a mattress that never sags, or develops a low point, or develops a pinhole leak you can't find and goes flat on you, or has to be pumped up every night.

plus, they're a lot cheaper than those fancy airbeds.

Yep! Been using full flotation waterbeds since I got married 37 years ago. At one time, everyone of the kids had them too. Unless you get seasick you will find these very comfortable! Avoid a platform with drawers underneath if you have a hard time getting in and out of bed. They are higher than the standard waterbeds.

[Hopefullady]

Ok, whatever works for our sleep needs I am all for, by I must say I haven't seen or heard of a waterbed, esp with drawers underneath, since about 1984. (???)