Choosing the Perfect Mattress Topper

Bedding experts now believe the notion of a firmer mattress being better for you, is not necessarily true. It is now felt that firm mattresses actually restrict blood circulation around your pressure points, causing you to wake as you shift to find a more comfortable position. Furthermore, many of us are now finding our backs and joints are aching with our extra firm mattresses.

Mattress 'toppers?, otherwise described as mattress 'pads? or 'enhancers?, are usually around five centimetres in depth and lie on top of your mattress, providing an extra layer of comfort and support. They mould naturally around your body, gently cushioning the body's pressure points to ensure a deeper, more comfortable night's sleep. Mattress toppers are available in many materials, though many still prefer luxurious natural fillings such as feather, down or wool. For those sensitive to natural fillings, soft springy synthetic-filled toppers have become more sophisticated and hence much more popular. Finally, there are memory foam mattress toppers which have certainly led to quite a bit of press and excitement in recent years following the development of visco-elastic foam into a more affordable filling.

However, choosing a topper isn't always easy. So here's a quick guide to help:

Memory Foam Mattress Toppers

Many suppliers and their customers will tell you that a memory foam mattress is the ultimate sleep experience. By literally moulding to your body shape, the temperature sensitive 'memory foam? provides total support for your spine and joints, helping to relieve any aches and pains you might have and ensuring you have a restful night's sleep. Obviously, if you're buying a new bed or a new mattress anyway, this investment is certainly worth considering. However if you already have a fairly new mattress, that isn't sagging in the middle, and would like to experience sleeping on memory foam, then a memory foam topper is a more affordable alternative. A memory foam mattress topper is a piece of visco-elastic foam, around 7cm in depth (though the thicknesses do vary), which may be placed on top of your existing mattress. It will provide you with all of the support and comfort advantages of a memory foam mattress, without the expense. Ideally choose one that comes complete with a washable cover that may be easily removed for washing.

Feather and Down Mattress Toppers

Either a goose or a duck down and feather mattress topper will provide all the warmth and luxury of a traditional feather bed. They are truly luxurious natural mattress toppers, generously stuffed with white feathers and down, encased in finely woven pure cotton cambric, have a twin-seam box construction that will keep their shape whilst providing a wonderful amount of extra comfort. Their elasticated straps make for a secure fit. These mattress toppers feel absolutely heavenly as they provide just the right amount of resistance, distributing your weight evenly and taking off the pressure. In chilly wintertime, feather and down mattress toppers can a little bit of extra warmth to your bed. In summer, their naturally breathable filling wicks away excess moisture allowing you to remain fresh and comfortable throughout the night.

Fibre-filled Mattress Toppers

Superior quality mattress toppers filled with soft, anti-allergy fibre clusters are ideal for allergy sufferers or those looking for a light-weight, supportive resistant mattress topper, with a soft, springy feel.

There are a number of home and bedding companies that manufacture mattress toppers with a wide range of prices. Make sure you find a company or selection of companies that you like, are happy with the level of quality they offer and that their prices suit your budget. Once you have done this, you can begin choosing from the selection available to you.

Phillippa advises on choosing the most appropriate 'filled' bedding, such as choosing between a feather mattress topper, memory foam mattress topper or a mattress topper filled with silky, soft hypo-allgergenic fibre.