Good sleep is not just beneficial for moms with young kids and expecting mothers; it's essential. Navigating the demands of motherhood and pregnancy often means sleep quality takes a hit, directly impacting health and daily functioning. Yet, the foundation of better sleep might lie beneath you — your mattress.
Understanding your sleep needs and choosing the right mattress can play a pivotal role in enhancing sleep quality and, by extension, overall well-being. And since Mother’s Day is coming up (on May 12th), our experts at Van Dyke Appliance decided it’s the perfect time to explore what options are best for you!
Must-Have Mattress Features for Every Mom
Moms need a mattress that's more than comfy; it should be a sleep sanctuary. That’s why it’s essential to look for key features to have deep and restorative sleep (whenever you can catch those Z’s!).
- Motion Isolation: Essential for moms sharing the bed. It ensures you don’t wake up every time your partner or child moves.
- Edge Support: Crucial for bed-sharing families, providing safety and stability around the bed's perimeter, making it safer for sitting or lying close to the edge.
- Temperature Control: A must-have for maintaining comfort through hormonal or postpartum temperature fluctuations. Materials like gel-infused foam or natural latex keep the bed cooler.
- Non-Toxic Materials: Safety first, especially for babies and kids. Look for mattresses with certifications like CertiPUR-US® or Oeko-Tex, ensuring they're free from harmful chemicals.
- Pressure Relief: This feature helps distribute body weight evenly, reducing pressure on hips, shoulders, and back. It's particularly beneficial in promoting comfortable sleep positions and reducing the discomforts that might come with pregnancy or spending long hours holding and nursing a baby.
Decoding Mattress Types for Moms
When it comes to choosing a mattress, the options can seem endless. For new moms and expecting mothers, understanding these differences is vital to finding a mattress that supports not just a good night's sleep but a healthier, happier day-to-day life.
- Memory Foam has excellent contouring properties, provides extensive pressure relief, and reduces motion transfer. You’ll have more relief from pregnancy-related aches and can sleep undisturbed by your partner or little ones!
- Innerspring offers firm support, spinal alignment necessary, and bounce, helping to ease back pain and make it easier to get in and out of bed, which is a must-have when your center of gravity shifts!
- Hybrid mattresses provide the pressure relief of memory foam with the added support and durability of coils. A hybrid mattress might be the ideal choice for moms looking for a balance between softness and firm support, accommodating a wide range of sleep positions and needs.
- Latex features a comfortable and supportive sleep surface that's particularly appealing for those prone to overheating at night — a common issue during pregnancy. Additionally, latex is often favored for its eco-friendly and hypoallergenic qualities, appealing to moms concerned about creating a healthier sleep environment for their family.
Co-Sleeping Considerations for Mother and Child
Co-sleeping, the practice of sharing a bed with your child, requires careful consideration to ensure it's done safely and comfortably. Aside from choosing safe materials like the non-toxic kind and sticking to a mattress with breathable materials, co-sleeping also requires the following from your mattress:
- Mattress Size: Naturally, size is a major consideration, as you need a minimum of a queen-size mattress to comfortably fit two adults, but to co-sleep with one or more children, consider upgrading to a king-size bed.
- Firmness: A medium-firm mattress is often recommended for co-sleeping. It's firm enough to provide the necessary support for your child's developing body and to reduce the risk of suffocation hazards, yet comfortable enough to relieve pressure points for the mother.
- Waterproof Protector: Consider adding a waterproof mattress protector. It helps protect your mattress from spills or accidents and creates a hygienic sleep surface that is easy to clean and maintain.
Enhancing Your Mattress: Key Accessories for Mothers
Even the best mattress can be enhanced with the right accessories and habits to ensure mothers get the restful sleep they deserve!
- Ergonomic Pillows: These are designed to align with the natural curvature of your neck and spine. For mothers, particularly those who are nursing, an ergonomic pillow can offer much-needed support, making it easier to maintain a comfortable position throughout the night.
- Adjustable Bed Frames: Offering the flexibility to adjust your sleeping position, these frames can alleviate common discomforts such as back pain or acid reflux. For new moms, elevating the foot and head can facilitate easier and more comfortable night feedings.
- Mattress Toppers: A quick and effective way to adjust the firmness of your mattress without purchasing a new one. Memory foam toppers, for instance, can add a layer of cushioning that cradles the body, relieving pressure points that are often a source of pain for pregnant women or postpartum mothers.
Sleep Like a Mother
Now that you know more about how to find the best mattress for new moms, it’s time to get your upgrade at Van Dyke Appliance! We have the top brands in the latest types and firmness levels to transform every new mom’s sleep. Sure, tending to newborns does mean less sleep, but it doesn’t have to mean less comfort — not when you have a new mattress!
And if you have any questions, don’t worry; please reach out to our sleep experts! We’re happy to help!