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Back Pain: Your Mattress May Be to Blame

Ouch! When your back hurts, it’s never a good morning. Many back pain sufferers attribute those early-morning aches and pains to “getting older,” a former injury or just a bad night’s sleep. But according to the BBC, a saggy mattress may be a primary contributor…and the effects can last all day.

We tend to agree. And so do most spine health experts. Proper spine support while you rest is essential.

<Quickie disclaimer:> Of course, always see your doctor first if you’re experiencing back, neck or hip pain upon awakening and throughout the day.

But if your doc has ruled out other issues, take a critical look at your current mattress. Are there lumps or unevenness? If you’re using a coil spring mattress, can you feel the coils underneath? (Today’s coils are superior to those of the past; it may be time for an upgrade.) When you lie on your side or back, is your neck aligned with the rest of your spine or does your head feel unsupported?

Remember, a new mattress is recommended at least every seven years. If you’re past due – and if you’re tired of waking up stiff and achy – give your body a break and invest in new sleep support. We promise it will be worth its weight in gold (and avoided doctor’s visits).

Here’s the BBC’s take on back pain and its causes; it’s an interesting read. Sleep well!

Tempur-Pedic Mattress Installation: How-Tos and Tips

During the course of my frequent internet travels, I came across this interesting tutorial and thought I’d share it with you. The tutorial focuses on the Celebrity Tempur bed, but the tips apply to any newly purchased Tempur mattress.

The word “installation” in the article’s title may sound intimidating. (Personally, I’d have picked a more user-friendly word; perhaps “setup”?) Not to worry: rarely are hammers and a lengthy instruction list required. (The article does mention the use of a wooden platform base, though; we agree with this recommendation.)

So before you plop that brand-new NASA-inspired mattress into the frame, give the article a quick read-through. Then plop yourself down and see what all the Tempur talk is about. Enjoy!

Transitioning Children To the “Big Bed”

Most children are thrilled to hear the words “You’re getting to be such a big boy/girl!” — unless it’s accompanied by “…and that’s why we’re going to make the following change to a routine you’ve always known, and depended upon.”

Of course, this isn’t what you really say when you’re preparing your child to potty learn, clean his or her own room or sleep in a bed rather than a crib. But underneath it all, that’s what she hears. When it comes to moving from a crib to a bed, some children dig in their heels. Here’s how to make it easier for the both of you.

l  Talk about it first. Quietly and seriously have a “big girl” or “big boy” talk with your child. “You’re so tall now, you’re just too big for your crib, so you’re going to start sleeping in a bed all your own.” Say only that much – then listen. Don’t rush ahead telling her how much fun it will all be. Let her tell you her fears so you can address and allay them.

l  Consider a daybed. A daybed with a good mattress can be the ideal transition between crib and bed. Because it’s enclosed on three sides, a daybed has more of a familiar feel to your youngster.

l  Position the new bed in the same place you had the crib. Keep your child’s sleeptime and waketime perspective the same so everything else in the room is still familiar.

l  Make a “big bed” for your child’s favorite dolly. Place a small towel inside a shoe box and place the doll or toy inside. Then put this “bed” next to your child’s pillow. This way, she isn’t doing it alone – she has a friend along who’s going through exactly the same change, at the same time.

l  Let her help choose her own bedding. This will make everything more exciting, and will also have the subtle effect of giving her at least some control over the situation.

These simple tricks can help alleviate some of your child’s anxiety, which is more about change itself than the actual bed or crib. Growing up should be an adventure, so look at things that way – and take your child (gently) along for the ride. She’ll be used to her new sleeping arrangements in no time!

Another way to help them look forward to moving to a “big bed” would be to let them help you choose a new bed. We can recommend on of our Relaxsan low allergy small single mattresses for a small child.

Have Sleep Questions? Ask the Sleep Council

The Sleep Council (Skipton, North Yorkshire), founded in 1980, offers a comprehensive collection of tips and tricks, research, directories to medical professionals, links and more on its site, www.sleepcouncil.org.uk.

At a glance, we liked the site; on further inspection, we loved it! So we thought we’d pass the information on to our readers, many of whom e-mail us with questions about bettering the quality of their sleep.

The Sleep Council site includes fascinating facts about sleep, as well as quizzes that let you assess your own sleep habits and discover what you’re doing right (and where there’s room for improvement). Of note is the My Bed Profile Questionnaire, which helps you choose the new bed that’s right for you; check it out.

Also have a look at the the Leaflets section (downloadable as PDFs); these offer sound advice on sleeping well for infants and adults, as well as a bed buyer’s guide; and the latest news in sleep health at the site’s news section.

Kudos to a very informative site!

A great all rounder mattress that we can recommend is the Relaxsan orthopaedic mattress which offers great support and a good night’s sleep.