Need Help To Sleep Try A Memory Foam Mattress

Title:
Need Help To Sleep? - Try a Memory Foam Mattress

Word Count:
578

Summary:
Ever woken up feeling that because you have tossed and turned all night, you really don't want to get up and start the day with a smile? The reason might be that your body can't relax as it can't find a comfortable position, one that is supportive in all the right places such as knees, hip, waist and neck. One solution to this problem is to change to a memory foam mattress - however this is an expensive option, so how about trying a memory foam pillow or mattress topper in the first instance?


Keywords:
Foam mattress pad, Foam memory mattress, Memory foam mattress, Foam pillow, Mattress topper, Foam latex mattress, Foam mattress, Memory foam pad, Help to sleep, Memory foam pillow


Article Body:
Ever woken up feeling that because you have tossed and turned all night, you really don't want to get up and start the day with a smile? The reason might be that your body can't relax as it can't find a comfortable position, one that is supportive in all the right places such as knees, hip, waist and neck. One solution to this problem is to change to a memory foam mattress - however this is an expensive option, so how about trying a memory foam pillow or mattress topper in the first instance?

Memory foam was developed for NASA in the 1970's to provide comfortable support for astronauts at take off and landing, it didn't come into its own as a consumer product until the 1990's. Since then the market has expanded and is now the fastest growing segment, endorsed by clinicians in the relief of back pain and pressure sores. Although the first manufacturer was Tempur-Pedic ® and used mainly in medical settings, the company soon heard that patients who used the foam, slept better, and they expanded the manufacture to sell to the consumer market. Since then other manufacturers have developed their own memory foam products and the largest supplier would now appear to be China and the Far East.

So, how does it give you help to sleep? Memory foam is visco-elastic which means that it responds to temperature change by becoming more pliable when it is warm and harder the colder it gets. That means your body warmth softens the immediate area of foam and moulds to your shape. Word of warning - with the cheaper, lower density foams, when the real cold sets in, the foam becomes as hard as a board or it might turn into soft goo on hot summer nights! The more expensive brands specifically state their consistent performance through a wide temperature range.

Still not sure? Although a memory foam mattress might be the ultimate goal, why not try a foam pillow or a memory foam pad in the first instance. Most manufacturer's offer a selection of products and the better ones will offer a trial period and longer guarantees too so that if the product doesn't suit, you can hand it back.

What should you look for? There are differences in mattress construction so it is as well to find out from the retailer how they are put together and which would suit you best. Rule of thumb - mattresses can either have three or four inches of memory foam over a denser supportive core. For help to sleep, more depth isn't necessarily right either as you might sink in too far before reaching the core! Tummy sleepers should purchase 2 inch (5cm approx.) foam, side sleepers and medium sized people should buy a foam memory mattress with three inch (7.5cm approx) foam and large/heavy people or back sleepers should buy the four inch (10cm approx).

The advantages are clear - what about disadvantages ….. the reason memory foam was not used by NASA? Foam is a man-made product that gives off gases when new. This wears off in a very short space of time with ventilation, but could have been a hazard in a space capsule! Nevertheless, if you are sensitive to this type of gas, you should think about finding a natural product like a foam latex mattress.

Although it is recommended that you try out memory foam mattresses in a local shop, it is more cost effective to buy online.

BONUS : Title:
Newborn Sleeping Positions

Word Count:
416

Summary:
It can all be very confusing. Put the baby on her tummy, no her side, no her back. Over the years, we’ve been told many different things about sleeping positions for babies. Here’s the scoop, from my perspective, anyway.

Years ago, it was common practice for babies to sleep on their stomachs. And, there was good reason – babies sleep more soundly on their tummies than in any other position. Most of us were put to sleep on our stomachs, and we turned out fine, right?

But...


Keywords:
Baby, babies, infant, parent, mother, child


Article Body:
It can all be very confusing. Put the baby on her tummy, no her side, no her back. Over the years, we’ve been told many different things about sleeping positions for babies. Here’s the scoop, from my perspective, anyway.

Years ago, it was common practice for babies to sleep on their stomachs. And, there was good reason – babies sleep more soundly on their tummies than in any other position. Most of us were put to sleep on our stomachs, and we turned out fine, right?

But, now we have a little more information. Putting your baby to sleep on her back or side can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by as much as 50 percent. Therefore, most pediatricians will recommend that you put the baby to sleep on her back from the beginning. There were a few years there where doctors recommended that babies sleep on their sides, as this not only reduces the risk of SIDS, but also reduces the risk that the child might choke on her vomit if she spits up (which, by the way, is rare). But, today most doctors say the back or side is fine – it’s really hard to keep a newborn on her side.

If your baby fusses a lot when sleeping on her back, try swaddling her, or try putting her on her side with a rolled up blanket for support. For many babies, this is enough to make them comfortable. If your baby is sleeping on her back, do be sure to give her some waking time on her tummy, to help with muscle development, and to give her a new perspective on life!

Now, all that said, if your baby is really having a hard time sleeping on her back, talk to your pediatrician about having the baby sleep on her stomach. If your baby is healthy, your doctor may say it’s ok to put her to sleep on her stomach, as long as the mattress is firm. In addition, babies with respiratory problems, upper airway malformations, and babies who spit up a lot, may actually be safer on their tummies.

Each baby is different, and you have to treat them as such. Sleeping on the back is the guideline, but with your doctor’s help, you should evaluate your baby, and her sleeping habits, individually. Keep in mind that in a few months your baby will begin turning over, and will choose her favorite position on her own.