Mattress Forum

Was there a time that the mattress you have was working OK and if it was what brand and model is it. Sometimes it can help to get a sense of what has worked for you in the past.

Do you know the ILD and thickness of your topper?

Have you tested out any mattresses in the stores to get a sense of what may work for you?

The biggest difficulty I can see is the difference in needs between your stomach and side sleeping. Side sleeping generally needs thicker and softer to allow enough sinking in to accomodate the bony parts and let the shoulders sink in enough for alignment. Stomach sleeping generally needs thinner and firmer on top to prevent hammocking which can hyperextend the lumbar. In general it is usually best to build to the position that needs the most "sinking in" and then use the firmest and thinnest comfort layer that works for this position. Stomach sleeping also needs a much thinner pillow (and sometimes no pillow) than side sleeping to keep you in alignment. It can also help to use a pillow under your pelvic area when you are sleeping on your stomach if your "side sleeping" layering is too thick and soft for sleeping on your stomach.

The best thing you can do (if you haven't already) is check out latex mattresses in the stores that have a known construction in terms of the ILD and thickness of the layers and then use the results of your testing as your guideline for ordering online.

Phoenix

Yes, it was okay the first couple/few years. It's a Serta perfect sleeper chesapeake, if that means anything. The topper is only about an inch, and not sure what the ILD is, very soft.  But I can start to feel the springs and it dips down in the middle too much at this point, which I assume means the cheap foam has seperated and deteriorated.

We've tested lots of mattresses, including air, which my wife liked, but I wasn't sold on it. There don't seem to be too many around here (DC) that have latex to try, unfortunately.

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/more_ways_to_shop/stores/store.ftl?x=washington_dc Retailer. They sell a wide range of latex mattresses made by Restwell including custom layering.

http://www.zfurniture.com/aboutz.html Retailer. They sell Sensa mattresses which have different latex options (their Z pedic is Sensa)

http://www.lemoynesleeper.com/locations.html Manufacturer. They manufacture latex mattresses and have a list of retail outlets some of which may be close to you

http://www.sleepys.com/ Retailer. They carry a line of mattresses called "Pure latex bliss" which are very good testing grounds

http://www.healthyback.com/storelocs/storelocs.php Retailer. They also carry Pure latex bliss and may have a wider variety

This should give you something to "test out" and put you in a much better position to order online.

Phoenix

PS: I would strongly consider a slatted foundation instead of your boxsprings. A foundation is generally much better to use with an all foam mattress and I believe this would be especially true with your stomach sleeping where it could easily contribute to hammocking.