FBM ILD 20 not working out. Need advice on what to try next please!
May 25, 2009 1:28 PM
Joined: Apr 14, 2009
Points: 8
My wife and I have been sleeping on 3" 20 ILD topper from FBM on top of a too-firm Stearns and Foster spring mattress for 3 weeks now.  It works fine for her (5'6", 125 lbs) but I often wake up stiff and sometimes have trouble sleeping due to pressure points, though I have had a few nights of excellent and comfortable slelep (I'm 5'10", 150lbs).  I'm a side sleeper with sacroiliac pain.  This topper seems more medium than soft in feel and I've put a cushioned mattress pad on top of it to try softening it up.  I've also tried putting a fiber-filled pad over the latext in addition or in place of cushioned mattress pad, but that doesn't provide enough back support.  I have only 5 days left before my 30 day trial period expires, so  I need to make a decision on whether to return it, which only makes sense if there's a better option. Is the 19ILD topper from Sleep Like a Bear noticeably softer than FBM 20 ILD?  Is 3 inches too thick?  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks.
Re: FBM ILD 20 not working out. Need advice on what to try next please!
Reply #4 May 26, 2009 9:14 AM
Location: Oregon
Joined: Oct 25, 2008
Points: 130
Change out the too firm mattress.  Get a 6" core of latex for your bed instead of a too firm mattress. These toppers are really only that - toppers. They cannot correct major defecencies underneath.  Or another way to go might be a piece of thin memory foam in the mix.  

I'm not an expert on these ILDs but  do know that the 2" soft (20ish) topper I have from FBM seems in the range of what it should be.  I tried alot of stuff out before I bought - as much as I could find in my area.  It works for me.  I am not super picky though, and can adapt and sleep on a range of firmnesses, although I prefer a soft comfort layer and med firm underneath.  From my continued reading of this forum, my ability to sleep on a range of firmnesses is something that I am grateful for.

Re: FBM ILD 20 not working out. Need advice on what to try next please!
Reply #5 May 26, 2009 7:54 PM
Joined: Apr 14, 2009
Points: 8
Thanks Mingus and BillB.  The latex is from Foam by Mail and reading through different postings here suggests that their "soft" tends to run firmer than Latex International's 19ILD.  I placed a 2" piece of 4 lb memory foam under the latext last night and that softened it up.  Bill, you may well be right about replacing the firm mattress as a long-term solution.  You ARE fortunate to be able to sleep well on beds of different firmness!

Thanks all.