Choosing a new mattress can be a bit of a daunting task. If you've ever taken a browse on Google for something like "mattresses near me" then the amount of options you'll find are overwhelming to say the least.

However, while it might be annoying, finding the right mattress is absolutely worth it, and is crucial if you're someone who constantly changes position during the night - also known as a combination sleeper.

All mattresses are made differently and each one is designed to accommodate the needs of specific sleeping positions. For example, some mattresses are more suitable for people who sleep on their back, but might be too firm or not offer the right support to those who sleep on their side.

If you're prone to moving around like a rotisserie chicken during the night, this blog post is going to walk you through the steps of finding the perfect mattress for your needs so that waking up rested and refreshed after a great night's sleep becomes your default.

How do you know if you're a combination sleeper? Well, you might not know for sure at the moment, but if you tend to wake up in a different position to the one you went to sleep in, this is a good indicator.

If you share your bed with a partner, you could also ask if they're aware of you constantly moving around at night - or, if it's something that annoys them, they'll probably tell you anyway. Some of our customers have even set up a time-lapse phone to monitor how they sleep.

Below are some of the common sleep positions that you might switch between:

 

Side sleeping

Although the most common sleep position, sleeping on your side can add extra pressure to your shoulders and hips, so you need a mattress that provides enough softness and support to relieve pressure in these areas.

Stomach sleeping

Sleeping on your stomach is best avoided if possible for a few reasons: it can aggravate sleep apnea, it doesn't keep your spine aligned correctly which can result in back problems, and the unequal distribution of weight on the mattress will also put pressure on your core, upper and lower back. Sleeping in this position can also result in neck pain from turning your head to the side to breathe.

Back sleeping

Sleeping on your back if you have the right mattress that is good quality and offers the correct support can help keep your spine in alignment, reducing pressure on your neck and back.

As a combination sleeper, one of the main challenges is keeping your spine aligned throughout the night, and finding the right mattress that does this while accommodating different sleep positions can be quite tricky.

Here are some of the other challenges that combination sleepers can face when trying to find the right mattress:

• Support is inconsistent when changing positions: Since mattresses are typically made to support specific sleeping positions, combination sleepers often have trouble getting the right comfort level from their mattress.
• For example, your mattress may provide good, firm support for sleeping on your back, but can be uncomfortable and not soft enough when sleeping on your side, so it's key to find a mattress that provides balanced support for both positions.
• Movement can be difficult: Certain mattresses, such as those with a traditional memory foam can cause movement to feel restricted, causing issues for those who frequently change positions during the night. A good option is a mattress that still provides support when moving.
• Poor pressure relief: Many combination sleepers will sleep on their sides at some point during the night and need a mattress that reduces the pressure placed on areas like the hips and shoulders. If your mattress doesn't do this, you will find you don't sleep well and will wake up feeling sore and stiff.
• Trouble regulating temperature: If you move around a lot during the night this can increase your body temperature which will further impact your sleep.

Finding the right mattress is very important to maintaining good quality sleep and avoiding any problems down the road.

When you're always switching between different positions during the night, you need a mattress that can support this without making you uncomfortable or not giving you enough support.

While it's always a good idea to do your research when looking for mattress companies that sell mattresses for combination sleepers, it can quickly become overwhelming and sometimes you can feel more confused than when you started.

In the following section, we've broken down the key features you should look for in a mattress.

Balanced firmness

If you shift positions a lot during the night, then generally you should look for a medium-firm mattress that will offer enough support to keep your spine aligned when sleeping on your back and that won't dip or sink too much when you move onto your side.

This balance helps ensure that you're not putting too much pressure on your hips and shoulders when on your side and reduces the chance of poor sleep or waking up sore or stiff.

Adaptable materials

When moving positions a lot during the night, it's important to have a material that responds quickly to this. Hybrid and latex mattresses are a good example of this type of material as they have a "bounce back" quality that more traditional mattresses don't have.

Pressure relief

Some mattresses are made with pressure relief zones or layers that provide support for areas like shoulders, hips, which are prone to discomfort for side sleepers.

Hybrid mattresses are ideal for combination sleepers because they allow for targeted support and help keep the spine aligned without feeling too soft or too firm.

Helps regulate temperature

Some materials like traditional foam mattresses can often retain heat, especially when switching to sleeping on your stomach, which can disrupt sleep even more than an uncomfortable mattress, so it's important to look for a mattress that helps keep your body temperature regulated throughout the night.

A mattress with cooling materials such as gel foam or natural latex layers can really help with this and allow for a restful sleep.

Has good edge support

A mattress with good edge support is a must-have for combination sleepers since moving around so much can mean that you will use most of the bed's surface. If there's not adequate edge support in place, you're more at risk of falling off the bed.

Is durable

Although there are many different things that affect how long your mattress will last, moving around all through the night might not help, so investing in a quality mattress that's going to last and keep its shape over time is especially important.

In general, everyone should make sure they choose the right type of mattress as it's such an important factor in whether we sleep well or not. We all know that we should be getting an average of eight hours of sleep per night, but how much of that sleep is good quality sleep?

For those who sleep in the same position all night or who have specific sleep needs or preferences, finding the right mattress is a little easier once they know what they're looking for, but if you're someone who frequently changes position, it gets a little more tricky.

You need to ensure that your mattress is firm enough to keep your spine aligned so that you're not waking up with a stiff neck or sore back, and at the same time, you also need to find a mattress that can allow you to sleep comfortably on your side without putting pressure on your hips and shoulders.

It's not just the type of mattress or even the firmness of the mattress that determines whether it's good or not, but the materials used in the construction of the mattress itself.

In the following table, you'll see a breakdown of different mattress materials used and how suitable they are for combination sleepers. This will make it much easier to narrow down and find the best mattress for you:

DESCRIPTION PROS CONS BEST FOR Latex Naturally firmer with a bit of bounce, highly responsive and breathable High responsiveness for easy movement
Naturally cooling and breathable
Durable May feel too firm for some
Generally more expensive Combination sleepers needing a firmer, bouncy feel Serene Foam Plush foam with slight "hug," available in both plush and firmer versions for balanced comfort Luxurious feel with support
Offers both pressure relief and stability
Balances soft and firm options Less responsive than latex, some may feel more "sink"
May retain heat in softer versions Side sleepers and those wanting more balanced support Commercial Grade Foam Durable, firm foam used in only a small percentage of the industry, available in Medium and Firm Exceptional durability
Supportive and long-lasting
Great stability for all sleep styles Limited pressure relief for side-only sleepers
Firmer feel may not suit those who want a soft surface Ideal for back and stomach sleepers, combination sleepers seeking "Goldilocks" firmness Memory Foam Conforming, pressure-relieving foam that molds to body shape, though with less bounce Excellent pressure relief, especially for side sleepers
Good motion isolation Can feel "stuck" in bed due to slow responsiveness
May retain heat without added cooling tech Combination sleepers who don't move often, those wanting soft cradling (especially side sleepers) Hybrid (Foam + Coils) A blend of foam (memory or latex) with innerspring coils for support and bounce Supportive with responsive bounce from coils
Good airflow and cooling
Balanced firmness Can be more expensive
Quality varies based on construction
May not suit those who prefer a soft, "melting" feel Combination sleepers needing bounce with stability, back and stomach sleepers

Motion Isolation refers to your mattress's ability to reduce the transfer of any movement across the surface by absorbing it.

For combination sleepers who share their bed with a partner, this is an especially important feature that helps to avoid disturbing anyone else sleeping in the bed.

There are certain types of mattresses and materials that are better at minimizing motion transfer, so if you change positions a lot during the night and your partner doesn't, then these are the types of mattresses that will be best for both of you:

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress is one of the best when it comes to reducing motion transfer, and the more sophisticated the hybrid model, the better it becomes. Many people who have a hybrid mattress say that they sometimes barely notice when their partner moves during the night.

To make it even more effective, a hybrid king mattress will give you the benefit of motion isolation combined with the additional space, meaning everyone has a great night's sleep.

Memory foam

Another great option when it comes to those looking for good motion isolation is a memory foam mattress. Memory foam will absorb any movement into its surface rather than transfer it, making it ideal for those who move around a lot and want to avoid disturbing their partner.

Although nobody wants to be cold during the night, you also won't sleep well if you're waking up or sleeping too lightly because your body is too warm, and If you need to switch positions regularly during the night, then your body temperature is likely to rise more quickly.

Due to your body naturally cooling down as you sleep, it's recommended by the National Sleep Foundation to keep your bedroom temperature between 60 and 67°F to ensure a deep and restful sleep.

Other ways to keep your temperature regulated during the night are to choose a mattress that uses naturally cooling and breathable materials, such as natural latex, wool, and organic cotton.

It's also best to avoid adding things like toppers and heated blankets to your mattress unless necessary.

Edge Support is a term used to describe the level of support and stability that a mattress offers right along the very edge. It's an important feature of any mattress, but even more so for combination sleepers who are more likely to find themselves nearing the edge of the bed during the night.

This can cause the sensation of dipping or that you're about to fall off the bed, which will disrupt your sleep.

While there's no set firmness level that works for all combination sleepers, there are certain things to consider when looking for the right mattress, such as your body weight, your personal sleep preferences, and your health needs.

Here are some of our top tips for finding the right firmness level to support whatever position you sleep in:

Go for a medium-firm mattress

Most combination sleepers find that a medium-firm mattress strikes the ideal balance between support and comfort across different positions.

Consider your health needs

If you're generally someone who switches position during the night, but are trying to train your body to sleep in a certain position for health reasons, such as sleeping on your back to alleviate back pain, then it's best to look at a slightly firmer mattress than you normally would.

Here at Rested Pillow Mattress, we take pride in crafting every mattress by hand, using the best materials to give you comfort and long-lasting support. We believe that good quality sleep should be attainable for everyone, and this belief is at the heart of everything we do.

Come and visit our showroom in St. Joseph, Michigan and let us help you find the last mattress you may ever need to buy.