Mattress Tips

Among bunk beds, the most common are bunk beds for kids. Bunk beds made for adults differ with children bed bunks, since the former serves a more functional purpose, similar to military bunk beds. On the other hand, childrens’ bunk beds are built for another purpose - an entertaining one - and that is, for kids to be excited in going to sleep. Childrens’ bunk beds are undoubtedly exciting. For many children, especially those who just grew up from sleeping in cribs, they want a bed for bigger kids. Plus, bunk beds are not difficult to play in and allow another sibling to sleep with another.

I. Special Precautions For Children

Bunk beds are fun, but bunk beds for children have safety risks. Children might fall from their beds. That is why it is important to put up the side guardrails on the upper bunk’s two sides. These must be secured firmly whenever the child is sleeping. Another rule that you should follow is not to permit kids below six years of age to sleep or stay in the bunk’s upper part. It is also important to have a safety ladder. You could teach your kids on safely using the ladder. Discourage playing on the ladder to avoid accidents. Lastly, if your kid sleeps in a bunk bed, it is advisable to have a nearby light on, just in case the kid wakes up at night and has to get out of the bed. If think your baby is too old enough for a crib, consider first the following before you buy a bunk bed.

II. Is Your Child Old Enough For A Bunk Bed?

1. Assess if your kid is really ready to have a bed. Transferring to the bed from the crib may be difficult for some kids, especially preschoolers or toddlers. Make it slow and assess if the kid is having apprehensions moving.

2. When you shop, you could ask the store staff if the bed has met the standards required by the American Society of Testing Materials. If it does, then you could buy it.

3. Plan ahead. Your kid will most likely sleep in the bed you will buy for many years to come. Consider the size of the bunk bed, since your kid might grow faster than you expected.

4. Shop around for choices. There are bunk beds ranging from toddler sizes to full-size ones. There are also beds shaped like castles or cars. Some even have the contemporary or antique look.

5. Do not be surprised if you are paying more than $100. The more fancy or elaborate models have prices ranging from $300 to as high as $1,500, and that is for the frame alone. Some beds do include a mattress, but you have to shell out more for it and box spring.

6. Purchase a top quality mattress. Measure it. The mattress should fit perfectly in the bunk. The measurement should be at most one inch of space from the mattress to the bunk bed’s frame. Check out the slats on the lower bunk which holds the mattress to ensure that they give strong support and are properly and securely screwed into the bed frame side.

7. Consider buying guard rails. The kid who slept in a crib may feel assured of the crib’s security. It may take some time for the kid to get used to the bunk bed. There are guard rails that are attachable to the bunk bed using screw or can be slid under the bed’s mattress. Check the sturdiness of these guard rails before you allow your kid to sleep in the bed.

8. Check the spaces between the bed frame and guard rails, as well as in the footboard and headboard on the upper bunk. The space should be at most 3.5 inches of space in all these areas. This is to avoid smaller kids from becoming trapped or slipping through.

9. Inspect all the bed’s edges and corners. Make sure that the corners and edges are smooth.

10. Check the bed’s stability by shaking it vigorously.

11. See if one can climb the ladder easily. The ladder should be also wide enough and not narrow for your kid.

12. At the bottom bunk, sit. Your head must not hit or reach the top.

13. If possible, make the store install the bed for you.

14. From time to time, inspect the screws and bolts to ensure that they are still firmly in place.

About the Author:

For more great bunk bed related articles and resources check out http://bunkbeds.kidsntoddlers.com

Written By: Paul Graham

An air mattress is no longer just a cheap blow-up bed for camping, but a luxurious and comfortable bed that can compete with the old box spring or foam mattress beds for quality and comfort. Air mattresses can be adjusted to your ideal firmness or softness, unlike beds of old.

According to the dictionary an air mattress is an inflatable mattress, usually made of some type of plastic material. After reading this definition it doesn’t make you want to rush out and purchase one. After all, who wants to sleep on a cold piece of plastic? But the air mattresses of today are so much more than a large rectangular plastic balloon. They even offers options not available to box spring or foam mattress owners.

A cheap air mattress can be deflated and rolled up and is ideal for camping trips. They can also be very handy to have around the house as a temporary place to sleep for extended family and guests. But when it comes to real luxury and real comfort the newer air mattresses of today have no peers.

Deluxe air bed mattresses are made for the home and are designed with one thing in mind, comfort. Sure, they may be made of plastic, but that cold plastic is covered with soft and luxurious fabrics that can help you realize the most relaxing night’s sleep in a very long time. Plus, they come in all regular sizes including twin, full, queen and king and will typically use the standard size sheets. No need to search high and low for bed sheets in hard-to-find sizes.

The more expensive ones have high quality pumps that come attached, allowing for easy and quick inflation or deflation. Pump them up by pushing a button and then deflate them by pushing another button. Adjust the firmness or softness with one finger. It couldn’t get any easier unless you had someone else push the button for you. And deflating them entirely can be done in a matter of seconds. It should be noted that not all brands and models have pumps. If you are strapped for cash you can certainly find a cheap one that must be inflated manually. These cheap brands can save you some money and give you more exercise than you want, both at the same time.

A top-of-the-line air mattress will contain additional features for comfort, luxury and ease-of-use. Some include separate hand-held firmness controls for each side of the bed. If one person likes it firm and the other prefers soft, both can be satisfied with separate firmness controls.

By simply pushing a button one sleeper can adjust their side of the air mattress to any level of desired firmness, from extra firm to soothingly soft, all without affecting the other sleeper’s comfort.

One of the more popular air bed mattress manufacturers is Select Comfort. They have Sleep Number Beds that use uniquely designed air chambers to provide a gentle cushion of support which can be easily adjusted to the sleeper’s preference for comfort and firmness. In addition, the Sleep Number bed allows couples to individually adjust their own side to the precise comfort level that they prefer.

If you enjoy having a pillow top on your mattress you will be happy to know that you can fit your deluxe air mattress with the same types of pillow tops, sheets, blankets, pillows and comforters that you have grown to love on your spring or foam bed.

The air mattress has all of the positive attributes that make sleeping relaxing and comfortable. But the air mattress has additional comfort features that cannot be found on other types of beds. If you are looking for luxury there is no need to look any further, the air mattress beds of today have everything necessary to ensure a good night’s sleep. Sleeping is something that you will start to enjoy again.

About the author:

Michael Johnson has compared all types of air mattress. He has also examined many box spring beds and foam beds. He loves the comfort of the air bed mattress more than any other. For more information about the air bed mattress visit My Air Mattress.

Written By: Michael Johnson

Do mattress pads really do anything? What good are they? Well, if you’ve ever wondered if you need one, find out here!

A mattress pad can make any mattress a great deal more comfortable. By placing extra padding on top of the regular mattress, softness can be added without removing the support of the mattress. These pads are usually one to three inches in depth and are made for several different materials which we will discuss.

Most popular types of mattress pads are:

Memory foam pad- newer product that may ring a bell. The memory foam mattresses have received a great deal of television advertising and, while they look very appealing, they are not inexpensive. Recently, a thin pad version of this mattress has appeared on the market at a much more affordable price.

This pad is about 3 inches in depth and it has all the attributes of the memory foam mattress. The foam adjusts to the pressure placed on it so that there is no undue pressure on different areas of the body. This type of pad is very popular with anyone looking for additional comfort. If you don’t have a pillow-top mattress but want that comfy feel, this pad may save you from purchasing a new mattress.

Egg crate- pad that looks as if you could store eggs in it. The foam hard depressions and raised areas that provide a bit more softness when placed over a hard mattress. The person who suffers from arthritis can frequently find sleeping much more comfortable with the addition of this type of pad on the mattress.

Egg crate pads are inexpensive and readily available. To install this type of pad on the mattress, first remove the bed sheets. Place the unrolled pad on top of the mattress and smooth it into place. If the bed is for a patient, a waterproof barrier may need to be placed over the pad where the most likely soiling could occur. Then place the fitted sheet back on the mattress. It will fit a bit more snugly than before and stay on the bed very well. Then you can remake the bed with the other bedding and it is ready for use.

Latex- if someone has incontinence problems or if you have children that are going through the stage where accidents can occur at night, latex pads can protect the mattress from stains and allow you to keep the mattress sanitary and odor-free.

Wool, down or feather pads- can make a cold bed warm and cozy. These pads, especially the down pads, also offer some added padding to help achy hips, shoulders, backs and other painful problems.

Pre-warming- these electric pads work very much like an electric blanket but are on the mattress rather than over the sleeper. No more cold feet when you jump into bed. Wintertime chills run and hide very soon after you turn your electric mattress covering onto the desired setting. Some people like to sleep with the pad on; others prefer simply to use this as a pre-heating device.

Alternating pressure pad- used on a mattress for the truly bed-ridden patient. This plastic pad is placed on the mattress and is constructed of baffled tubes or sections which are filled with air or water. The pad is connected to an electric pump and the pump inflates, deflates and changes the pressure in each section at regular intervals. This can help heal a bed sore or completely prevent bed sores from occurring.

This type of medical device pad can be obtained from a medical supply house and you should learn how to properly operate the device from the professionals who provide the equipment. Some medical supply houses will rent this type of pad for the use by those who must lie on their mattresses all day and night.

No matter what situation best describes your particular needs, you’ll find the perfect mattress pad to fill your nights with better sleep and comfort!

About the author:

Patricia Bowlin is an entrepenuer, writer and researcher who loves to share her tips, sense of humor, advice and ideas on creating the perfect bedroom sanctuary. Get hundreds of Free useful tips, advice and ideas now by visiting http://www.best-in-bedding.com

Written By: Patricia Bowlin

If you are in the market for an air mattress, consider your options carefully before purchase. There are many makes, models, and manufacturers of air mattresses available for sell on the commercial market, so choosing the best one for your needs can make all the difference. In addition to quality, size, and cost of the air mattress, you should also look into the intended purpose of the mat and be sure to follow all associated directions. Furthermore, look to the different options involving the inflation procedures associated with the air mattress, since some a great deal easier to inflate than others.

Before you make the purchase of any air mattress, consider the following questions. What if your intended use of the air mattress? What size of an air mattress do you need? How much do you plan on spending on your air mattress? How do you expect to inflate the air mattress? After you have evaluated your needs and answered all of these questions, you can begin your search for an air mattress that best suits your needs. Consider both brick and mortar stores in addition to virtual shops on the World Wide Web to find an air mattress that is available at the highest quantity for the lowest price.

For starters, if you are interested in using an air mattress for camping purposes, consider those options instead of using an indoor air mattress that may not be portable enough to use on a camping trip. Also, indoor air mattresses may be too large to properly fit into a tent, so be sure to measure the interior space of your tent’s floor to ensure the mattress will fit. If more than one person intends to sleep on an air mattress, consider purchasing a double air mattress instead of two single sizes. This will save space inside the tent while allowing more than one individual to enjoy the lot of an air mattress. Since you will probably not be able to use electric devices like vacuum cleaners or hair dryers set on cool to inflate your air mattress, be sure to take that into consideration. There are some models of air mattresses available that have built in inflation systems that run from a battery or an AC adapter easily attached in your car’s cigarette lighter. Usually, one of the best options for camping is those smaller self inflating pads that are lightweight and easy to carry. These self inflating pads are manufactured by several different companies and available in a wide array of prices to accommodate all prices.

If you are interested in have an air mattress that will be used indoors as an extra bed for overnight guests, the options are even more prevalent. Consider using a model of air mattress that includes a built in bed frame that gives the mattress a boost in height. In addition to making the mattress more comfortable and creating a sense of a more permanent bed for your guests, this boost will help protect the air mattress itself from wayward steps or items on the floor. Inflation is a major issue when it comes to air mattresses, especially larger sizes that can take a great deal of time and effort to properly inflate. Consider choosing a model with a built in air pump that will allow the mattress to fully inflate in a matter or minutes. Furthermore, if the model of air mattress you choose to purchase does not come with a pump included, there are many after market pumps available that will fit a wide spectrum of brands and models of air mattresses.

About The Author:
Donna Somerkin specializes in Mattresses http://www.u-air-mattress.com or http://www.air-mattress-u.com

Written By: Donna Somerkin

I’m a recent convert to Tempurpedic/Memory Foam Products .

I do web promotion for a variety of websites featuring everything from sports memorabilia to breast implants, but I rarely have any personal views on the product. However Tempurpedic is different. I have actually tried out a memory foam mattress and pillow set, and can honestly express my enthusiasm for this product. It feels so much better than a conventional mattress!

There are so many advantages to memory foam over a conventional mattress! It’s hypoallergenic, molds to fit anyone’s body, and provides some insulation on cold nights so you need fewer heavy, dusty blankets and comforters. And it’s so comfortable, it’s like sleeping on a cloud. All the pressure points that cause discomfort, and subsequent tossing and turning, are eliminated.

The importance of a good night’s sleep can’t be overstated. No-one functions well on lack of sleep. The majority of people in the western world are sleep-deprived, and sleep deprivation is a significant cause of accidents. Remember the Exxon Valdez? That accident took place in the early hours of the morning, and industrial accidents peak on the midnight shift. Students who are sleep-deprived learn poorly. Chronic sleep deprivation affects the appetite centers of the brain, causing overeating and subsequent obesity. Any bed system conducive to a deeper, more restful sleep gets my vote for health product of the year!

Tempurpedic is the brand name of the pioneer of memory foam, a company in Sweden. It’s a great product, but expensive, and there are dozens of cheaper competing brands, some made in America, some in China or other countries. HOWEVER, be warned: not all memory foam products are alike, as with any merchandise, you tend to get what you pay for, both in quality and longevity.

Memory foam is visco-elastic, and it responds to temperature changes much as bubble gum does. Good quality memory foam has a wide range of temperature responsiveness, but some of the cheaper brands can become as hard as wood if you let the bedroom go below 60-65 degrees. Eventually, as you change position the foam warms up and responds to your body shape, but this can take a few minutes, during which time you will be uncomfortable and may wake up. And cheaper brands may become too soft on hot summer nights, offering no support. Better brands of memory foam, such as Sensus and Temperpedic, specifically state their consistent performance through a wide temerature range.

Another issue is the longevity of the memory foam before it finall breaks down and loses its springiness. Better memory foams offer longer guarantees, 20 years, whereas the cheaper brands offer 10 years.

So, in summary, you don’t have to buy top-of-the line products, but don’t buy the cheapest either. You’ll spend many nights regretting your decision. A few hundred dollars extra isn’t really a lot when spread out over decades of memory foam mattress use.

As well as differences in quality, there are also differences in memory foam mattress construction. Mattresses can have either 3 or 4 inches of memory foam over a denser supportive core, and more is not always better, because if the top layer of memory foam is too thick, you’ll sink in quite far before hitting the supporting layer underneath. Side sleepers and medium sized people should purchase mattresses with 3 inch memory foam, very large people or stomach and back sleepers should buy the 4 inch.

The base of the bed can vary as well. Some models feature loose sheets of foam of different firmness levels that can be arranged to the sleeper’s personal taste, others are laminated together. Also, man-made (petrochemical foam products) are about 1/3 the cost of natural latex. People who are sensitive to out-gassing of man-made products should consider a natural product.

About the Author

visit our website at http://www.tempurpedic-now.info for more articles and sites to purchase these products

Written By: Frank Vanderlugt

According to “Better Homes and Gardens,” most of us replace our mattresses every 8 to 10 years. Trying to pick the right mattress for you, one that you want to sleep on for the next 10 years, can seem like a daunting task. You spend 1/3 of your life sleeping, make it a comfortable 1/3.

As we’re about to show you, it can be as easy as choosing the next show to TiVo.

The first question you may be having is, “do I need a new mattress?” This one is probably the easiest. Ask yourself if you are sleeping well at night. Do you feel rested in the morning or do you need five cups of coffee before even thinking about getting ready for your day? If so, chances are you do need a new mattress.

The age of your mattress could also be a factor. Chances are you have dust mites, and dust mites can actually double the weight of your mattress in ten years. We won’t go into detail about that here, but you get the point. This along with mold and mildew can create havoc on allergies and asthma.

Some of the most common indicators of needing a new mattress are:

mattress is too lumpy

mattress is too soft/hard

mattress is too old

mattress is just not comfortable

Ok, so you decided that you do need or want a new mattress. The first thing you need to do is decide on what size you want. If it’s the same size as you already have, you’re ahead of the game.

If you have decided to move up in size, a simple way to see how your new mattress will fit is to move the old bedding and mark the area where the new bed will sit. You can do this using towels, sheets, or even an outline in string.

If you want to really get creative, buy yourself some graph paper and organize all of your bedroom furniture. Draw out your bedroom dimensions and on another sheet cut out your furniture to scale. Then you can organize your whole bedroom without lifting anything heavy.

Here are some of the more popular mattress dimensions to help get you started.

Twin: 38″ x 75″ Extra-Long Twin: 38″ X 80″ Double/Standard/Full Size: 53″ x 75″ Queen: 60″ x 80″ King: 76″ X 80″ California King: 72″ x 84″ (Recommended for people over 6′4″)

Important Tip: Remember these sizes can vary by manufacturer and don’t forget headboards and foot boards can add several inches to these dimensions.

When it comes to beds and mattresses, the softest are not always the best. This almost always comes down to personal preference. Your going to have to “test drive” your mattress. Don’t be shy, and don’t be afraid t ask the sales staff to leave you alone while you try out the mattresses.

If someone will be sleeping with you, bring them along. Above all, the mattress should support your spine and should not interfere with your pressure points.

Check the number of coils the mattresses has. The higher number of coils the better the mattress will wear. Generally, 300 coils for a double and 350-800 for a queen. A king size mattress can range from 400 to 900 coils.

You’ll also want a few fabric and padding layers and a pillow top.

Many recommend going to a local mattress store and test the ones you like, then go online to stores like were you can find better deals.

When you’ve found the perfect mattress, you need the perfect frame. You want a good solid frame. One that will sufficiently support the mattress and box spring.

Now, go buy yourself some nice new sheets to go with your brand new mattress!

About the author:

You can find beds, mattresses and box springs along with bedroom furniture, living room furniture, and dining room furniture in a variety of styles and wood types at http://www.GreatPriced Furniture.com

Written By: Matt Trostle

If you enjoy the softness of a traditional, coil-spring mattress, but also need the back support of a good solid carpeted floor, then a memory foam mattress provides the perfect middle ground. A memory foam mattress contains most of the cushioning and body forming capabilities of a regular mattress, with all the back support of a floor - perhaps even better than a floor, since memory foam obeys the contours of your spine. Its tendency to soften with warmth and harden with coolness regulates how much support your body gets and where. You’ll feel the greatest difference at the more jutting parts of your body, such as ankles, knees, hips, ribs, shoulders, elbows, finding less aches and pains in the morning. You’ll find that there won’t be as much morning numbness - your limbs will wake up when you do, as your overall circulation will be improved.

You’ll sleep better. You’ll live better.

But before you go smashing your piggy bank to spend everything on the first memory foam mattress you see, realize that not all memory foam mattresses are the same: they vary in density, thickness, and overall quality. Densities range from 2.5 pounds per cubic foot to 5 pounds per cubic foot in most cases, and as high as 5.3 or more for some of the premium brands. Denser mattresses tend to be more expensive because more raw material goes into them, and because fabricating them requires a finer science.

Denser mattresses are firmer and respond better to those who are thinner with more protruding bone structures, while mattresses that are less dense are softer and tend to do a better job at cradling curvier forms. If you do not tend to move around much while falling asleep, a denser mattress is ideal. For those who toss and turn a bit, a less dense mattress is the better choice. Do keep in mind that your tossing and turning may not actually be your natural way of sleeping, but rather a result of inadequate bedding. A middle-density memory foam mattress - about 4 pounds can accommodate a range of sleepers. Low-density memory foam mattresses (2.5-3.5 pounds per cubic foot) can sometimes “bottom out” and usually aren’t worth the lower price.

As memory foam mattresses have gained in popularity, more luxurious (meaning thicker) beds have become more common. Your basic memory foam mattress uses a 5″ base layer with a couple inches of foam at the top for any size, be it twin, twin-long, full-size, queen, king, or California king. More luxurious mattresses have a 6″ base with an extra inch or two of top padding, for a more responsive feel, and these mattresses are the most popular memory foam beds. The top-of-the-line models also have a 6″ base, but include extra top layering, for maximum responsiveness.

If you’re looking to save money, finding a good discount memory foam mattress can be a difficult proposition. For a quality product, Consumer Reports recommends you spend at least $450 for a twin bed, $600 for a full-size bed, $800 for a queen, $1000 for a king, and about $1200 for a California king.

Major manufacturers tightly regulate retail pricing on their products. However, if you go through a smaller dealer or retailer, either at a brick-and-mortar location or online, you might be able to get the salesperson to throw in a free memory foam pillow, free shipping, or some other additional value to seal the deal.

Otherwise, if you are looking to save money on a memory foam mattress, try a manufacturer that makes lower-density mattresses. The quality will be lower than a denser mattress, but it might well be an improvement over the rusty bedsprings to which you’ve subjected yourself in the past.

About the Author

Memory Foam Info provides detailed information on memory foam mattresses, mattress pads, pillows, slippers, and dog beds, as well as memory foam product reviews. Memory Foam Info is the sister site of Mattresses Web.

Written By: Eric Morris