Finding the best mattress for your sleeping poisition 2023

How do you sleep?

Choosing a replacement motorhome, campervan, or caravan mattress can be a bit of a nightmare. And if you’re anything like me, you can lose days disappearing down the many internet rabbit holes and come out totally bamboozled. Understanding how you sleep will go some way towards helping you find the best mattress to suit your sleeping position.

Before we proceed, let’s start with the disclaimer… Comfort and firmness are very subjective; one person’s soft could easily be another person’s firm. The same applies to the perception of comfort. So please bear this in mind when you read the following guidelines.

Side Sleeper?

You’re sitting pretty in the majority, with 66% of you sleeping this way. Here’s a list of things to think about.

Medium to Medium-Soft Firmness: Side sleepers generally benefit from mattresses with a slightly softer firmness compared to back or stomach sleepers. A medium to medium-soft mattress allows the body to sink in slightly, helping to alleviate pressure on the shoulders and hips. However, if you have a less chiseled physique, you may like to choose a medium to medium-firm mattress.
Pressure Relief: One of the primary considerations for side sleepers is pressure relief. Look for mattresses with memory foam, pocket sprung, or gel-infused foam layers, as these materials contour to the body’s shape, providing cushioning for pressure points.
Spinal Alignment: Even though side sleeping is a popular position, it can potentially lead to misalignment of the spine if the mattress is too firm or too soft. A mattress that offers proper support while accommodating the body’s natural curves is important for maintaining spinal alignment.
Motion Isolation: If you sleep with a partner, motion isolation is important to prevent disturbances from each other’s movements. Memory foam and hybrid mattresses with memory foam layers often excel in this aspect.

Mattresses to Consider

Custom Hybrid – A 2000 nano pocket sprung mattress is a supportive, high-quality medium mattress that offers great comfort and support. The individual pocket springs minimise motion transfer helping to avoid partner disturbance

Gravity Gel and BluCool – are medium to medium firm mattresses that also offer great support with cooling properties

Talalay Latex – May be useful for those with a fuller figure. It is our firmest mattress, but still very supportive. It’s open cell structure provides great breathability allowing for a cooler night’s sleep.

Back Sleeper?

Back sleeping is a less common sleeping position. You are one of around 18% of people sleeping this way. Here’s what we think you should consider when choosing your next mattress:

Firmness Level: A medium-firm to firm mattress is generally recommended for back sleepers. This type of mattress provides adequate support to maintain the natural alignment of the spine while distributing weight evenly across the body.
Spinal Alignment: The ideal mattress for back sleeping promotes proper spinal alignment. This means that the mattress should be firm enough to prevent the hips from sinking too deeply, which could lead to an unnatural curve in the lower back.
Pressure Relief: While a firm mattress is important, it should also offer some level of pressure relief. Look for a mattress with responsive comfort layers, such as memory foam or latex, to cushion the body’s pressure points without compromising support.
Material Considerations: Latex mattresses are often favoured by back sleepers due to their ability to contour to the body’s shape while providing support.

Mattresses to Consider
Talalay Latex – Is our firmest and most supportive mattress for back sleepers. Latex is a natural material that is durable and environmentally friendly. It’s open cell structure provides great breathability allowing for a cooler night’s sleep.
Gravity Gel and BluCool – are medium to medium firm mattresses that also offer great support for back sleepers and also have great with cooling properties.

Stomach Sleeper?

As a stomach sleeper, you are one of around 17% of people that sleep this way. Here are our thoughts on what you should consider when looking for your next mattress.

Firmness Level: Front sleepers usually benefit from mattresses that are on the firmer side. A medium-firm to firm mattress helps prevent the body from sinking too deeply, which could lead to discomfort and spinal misalignment.
Spinal Alignment: Maintaining proper spinal alignment is crucial for front sleepers. A supportive mattress can help prevent the lower back from arching excessively, reducing the risk of discomfort and potential back issues.
Stomach Support: Stomach sleepers need a mattress that supports the torso and prevents the hips from sinking too much. Look for a mattress that offers adequate support to maintain a neutral spine position.
Pressure Distribution: While firmness is important, a mattress should also provide some level of pressure distribution to alleviate stress on the chest, knees, and other contact points. Materials like memory foam or latex can offer this cushioning effect.
Cooling Features: Front sleepers can be prone to overheating due to their body’s increased contact with the mattress. Look for mattresses with cooling technologies, such as breathable covers or gel-infused foam layers, to regulate temperature.
Mattresses to Consider
Talalay Latex – Is our firmest and most supportive mattress for front sleepers. Latex is a natural material that is durable and environmentally friendly. It’s open cell structure provides great breathability allowing for a cooler night’s sleep.
Gravity Gel and BluCool – are medium to medium firm mattresses that also offer great support for front sleepers and also have great with cooling properties.

A Partnership Dilemma?

What if you’re a stomach sleeper and your partner is a back sleeper? Or...What if your partner has the body of a supermodel and you are, let’s say, a more rounded individual?

Like most things that make up a good partnership, it is down to compromise at the end of the day. Common sense suggests you opt for a medium mattress with limited weight transference.

You might want to consider a hybrid pocket sprung mattress. The 2000 nano pocket springs work independently under body weight, meaning there is less movement transmission across the mattress and limits partner disturbance. However, if your partner is like princess and the pea and you can sleep on nails, let your partner choose whatever they prefer!!

Conclusion

Understanding how you sleep and how different body shapes (separate blog coming soon) may suit different mattresses provides you with a great starting point in your quest to find a mattress that delivers that perfect night’s sleep.

While body shape and sleeping styles provide useful guidelines, personal preferences also come into play. Some individuals may prefer a softer or firmer mattress regardless of their body shape or sleeping position. Ultimately, the best mattress choice combines proper support, pressure relief, and individual comfort preferences.

If you would like to try out our range of mattresses, you can make an appointment to visit us in our Leicestershire store Contact US, or, if you have any questions, please email or call and we will be happy to help. We also attend caravan and motorhome shows throughout the year, so feel free to call and we will let you know where we’re heading next.

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