







No two people sleep in exactly the same way. Some of us sleep on our backs, others on their sides, and some on their tummies. There is lots of research that claims that sleeping on your side is best, because it takes the strain off the back and hips, and women tend to favour this position. It’s really important for side sleepers not to choose a mattress that’s too firm, as there needs to be plenty of give to support the curve of shoulder and hip.
Approximately ten to fifteen percent of the population sleep in their backs, and it can be problematic because it encourages snoring and sleep apnoea. However if that is your favoured position then a firmer mattress will help support your lower back.
If you sleep on your stomach you need to make sure that your mattress is always in tip top condition. If the mattress is too soft then your spine is thrown out of alignment and there isn’t enough support for your neck which can cause back pain.
Clearly the most important thing that affects quality of sleep is comfort, so ensuring that your mattress supports you properly is crucial. Weight plays a part when you’re making the decision about which type of mattress to buy, and the chart below is a guideline that will help you make a decision. At the heavier end of the scale it’s important to realise that a Firm mattress may need a topper so that there is both support and cushioning.
Firmness |
Notes |
Sleep Position |
Weight |
Very Soft |
Rare and hard to find in any quality mattress |
Side Sleepers |
Less than 8 stone/50 kilos |
Soft |
Soft enough for hip and shoulder to be supported |
Side Sleepers |
Up to 12 stone/76 kilos |
Medium |
What most people are comfortable on |
Side, Back and Stomach Sleepers |
Up to 16 stone/105 kilos. |
Firm |
Very little sink or give |
Side, Back and Stomach Sleepers |
Up to 20 stone/130 kilos |
Extra Firm |
Like sleeping on the floor! |
Stomach Sleepers |
Above 20 stone/130 kilos |
Four great reasons to buy organic
Why you should consider going organic when you sleep
Organic Mattresses Are Chemical Free
Conventional mattresses use a wide variety of chemicals during the manufacturing process and adhesives are often used to glue the layers of a mattress together. Not what you want to be sharing a bed with! Organic materials are produced without the use of harmful pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, and all the materials we use in our mattresses are either recyclable or biodegradable.
Organic Mattresses are a healthy option
In many cases, allergies and problems with the respiratory tract are aggravated by elements found in conventionally made mattresses, especially memory foam. We are at our most vulnerable in bed and don’t spend as long anywhere else from day to day. Investing in a mattress that doesn’t introduce any of these foreign elements into our sleeping environment is a healthy option! People who buy an Abaca mattress often call us to say that symptoms like runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and skin irritations are either significantly reduced or eliminated within just a few weeks of sleeping on the mattress.
Organic Mattresses help regulate your temperature
Man made materials make for very poor temperature regulation. Memory foam, for example, often becomes very hot at night, whereas the organic cotton and wool in every Abaca mattress wick moisture away from the body and help your body achieve restful sleep.
Organic Mattresses Are Sustainable
As a certified organic company we are very conscious of our carbon footprint. Every year 7.5 million mattresses go into landfill in the UK alone, so producing mattresses using materials that can be recycled is really important.