What kind of sleeper are you?

Chances are you’re probably not getting as much sleep as you’d like. And with sleep-related sales at John Lewis having a 67% spike at the start of this year, it seems we’re all on the same quest: To. Get. Better. Sleep. 

A relaxing bedtime routine and leaving your phone outside your bedroom can help, but if you’re waking up too hot, too cold or with a stuffy nose in the morning, it might be time to rethink your bed and bedding.

The latest mattresses, duvets, pillows, protectors and covers are designed to meet different needs. Whether you have freezing feet or you’re menopausal and are struggling with night sweats, we’ll have a ‘just right’ for you. Here, our expert sleep Partners share their recommendations for remedying common sleep disturbances.

Some people just feel the cold more than others. A low room temperature of 16-18°C is the recommendation for sleep but if you’re too cold it can make it hard to sleep. 

If you’re someone who needs warm bedding, look for a mattress with wool or cashmere as natural fibres are ideal for regulating temperature. ‘They help keep you snug and warm at night and also wick moisture away in warmer months,’ says Emily Wimborne, Partner & Buyer. If it’s cloud-like softness you’re after, a memory foam mattress and/or pillow will really envelop you, adding to that sense of cosiness.

‘Bedding made with temperature-regulating technology uses your body’s own infrared energy to help maintain your ideal sleep climate,’ adds Emily. Cold sleepers often prefer a heavier tog duvet so choose a rating of 10.5 or higher, or try one of our 3-in-1 duvets which have two sections that can be used alone or together to give three different tog ratings.

Kicking off the covers at 3am because you’re too hot? Natural materials will save the day (and night). That ability to wick away moisture will stop you feeling hot and sticky which is a real bonus, especially if you suffer from night sweats or you’re going through the menopause. 

‘Foam and memory foam products are not so good at wicking so we generally suggest hot sleepers avoid these,’ says Emily. ‘A lighter tog duvet might also be more appropriate.’ Look for cooling mattresses, duvets and pillows in linen, cotton, wool or silk, all of which will help regulate temperature.

Sleep quality is so important for your child’s development and, of course, when they sleep well, so can you. ‘For children under eight stone, we recommend a soft tension mattress,’ says Emily. ‘Natural materials help with breathability and pocket springs offer the best support for a growing body.’

When it comes to bedding, children have different needs to adults so always follow the age group recommendations. ‘Quilts, duvets and pillows are not suitable for children under 12 months due to risk of overheating and suffocation so use a blanket or a sleeping bag instead,’ says Emily. She recommends The Lullaby Trust as a great source of advice for safer sleep for babies.

Children aren’t able to regulate body temperature in the same way as adults so check tog ratings – no warmer than tog 4 for 12-to-36-month-olds and between 4.5 and 7 tog for three years and over, at a room temperature of 18-20°C. In summer, lightweight bed clothes and a blanket can be a good alternative. And do buy the right size for the bed – too big can also lead to overheating. Leaks and spills go with the territory so children’s ranges tend to be easy to launder and quick to dry. 

Synthetic bedding options can help you sleep without getting bunged-up. ‘We have a wide range of synthetic products that have the same feel as natural options, ranging from foams to polyesters,’ says Unna Patel, Partner & Buyer.

‘All of our bedding, duvets and pillows are also machine washable – and we’d suggest washing them every couple of months to minimise the risk of allergy symptoms recurring.’

Sports injuries, age-related aches and pregnancy all demand a little extra support. ‘It’s really important to find bedding that offers optimal support and maintains good spinal alignment,’ says Emily.  

‘Where possible, visit a store to try different options to make sure you’re getting the right support from your mattress, pillow and toppers,’ says Emily. ‘Our expert Partners in store are there to guide you.’

‘Historically, mattresses and duvets have been exceptionally difficult to recycle and many contain added chemicals to make them fire retardant according to regulations,’ says Emily.

‘However, at John Lewis we’ve developed products that are made in the UK using sustainably sourced natural or recycled materials, which are naturally fire retardant and easy to recycle when they reach the end of their life cycle.’