I (F26, 160lbs) am a 50/50 side/stomach sleeper. My partner (M36, 185lbs) is mostly a stomach sleeper. We have been on a Queen 8" medium firmness Talalay latex mattress (Berkeley Ergonomics system) for about 2.5 years. It’s suited us fairly well, although I find that while on my side, my shoulders and hips pinch a bit, while my partner struggles with significant lower back issues. I’m beginning to also experience mild lower back pain, probably caused at least partially due to hugging my pillow while stomach sleeping, which I think I’m drifting to more due to the shoulder/hip discomfort.
I’ve considered a latex topper off and on for awhile to tweak the mattress but all of my research points to my partner and I having opposite needs- I think a soft topper would help cushion my curves, and he wants a firm topper to help his alignment. I thought about getting a medium topper just to add more depth to the mattress but have no idea if that would help either of us. I’ve even considered two twin xl toppers even though it would be wastefully wide.
All that to ask- Any recommendations for opposite needs on a queen size? Thanks!
I agree that split toppers would make the most sense here given your different support needs. You might find some luck with a company like DIY Natural Bedding that offers custom cuts of latex.
You could also do two twin XL toppers and then ‘carve’ the extra off (using an electric carver, like the kind you’d use on a turkey for Thanksgiving - weird, right? But super effective).
I’ve used left over latex/memory foam slabs to make pillows for myself and beds for my pets so it doesn’t always have to be waste!
I am also hoping someone in the forum who has been able to successfully add two toppers to a queen can weigh in with their thoughts.
I (F26, 160lbs) am a 50/50 side/stomach sleeper. My partner (M36, 185lbs) is mostly a stomach sleeper…I’m beginning to also experience mild lower back pain, probably caused at least partially due to hugging my pillow while stomach sleeping, which I think I’m drifting to more due to the shoulder/hip discomfort.
Avoiding sleeping on your stomach will be the best thing that you can do for low back and shoulder pain, regardless of the type of mattress upon which you sleep. Endeavor to switch away from that posture as time goes on and your spine will thank you.
We have been on a Queen 8" medium firmness Talalay latex mattress (Berkeley Ergonomics system) for about 2.5 years
Is your BE mattress one of their component systems? If so, I’d speak with BE directly and get their advice about splitting out your current top latex layer to a different firmness on each side.
I’ve considered a latex topper off and on for awhile to tweak the mattress but all of my research points to my partner and I having opposite needs- I think a soft topper would help cushion my curves, and he wants a firm topper to help his alignment. I thought about getting a medium topper just to add more depth to the mattress but have no idea if that would help either of us. I’ve even considered two twin xl toppers even though it would be wastefully wide.
I’d seek out toppers in a split queen if you decide to go that route, providing you the ability to customize the plushness on each side. BE does offer a few different types of toppers - one using microcoils and the other using latex. I’m not sure if they offer split queen versions - you’d have to contact them directly. Beloit Mattress Co. also advertises custom sized toppers - they might be worth a call.
As another option, many of the latex component/configurable style mattress producers (such as the ones on this site) will have split queen pieces of latex available, as they quite often offer mattresses in a queen size with the option to have different firmness on each side. You’d have to contact each one of them to see if they would sell the split queen comfort layer foam pieces separately. And then you’d have to source split queen zippered encasements for these split queen pieces.
