Foam mattress pads are perfect for providing a temporary solution to a problem. You know you need a new mattress, but it's just not in the family budget right now. Yet you just can't sleep with springs poking you in the back or a big sway in the middle of the bed. Of course without proper sleep you are certainly not at your best and at times, are almost non-functional. Your co-workers notice you yawning and maybe even nodding during the day. Yes a lack of sleep is a serious problem, and a foam mattress pad could be the answer to that problem.
The good news is that these pads are available just about anywhere beds are sold and certainly there is a huge selection online. Just pick one out that matches the size of your bed and you're good to go. They're simple to use. If you can make your bed (and assuming you don't still live with your mother you probably can) then you can use a pad. It just sits on top of your current mattress and is held firmly in place by your fitted sheet. What could be easier?
More difficult perhaps is choosing the right foam mattress pad. There are many types available. The egg crate pad has been popular for a long time and is your least expensive option. You would think that with those ridges it would be uncomfortable but it is not. And it's certainly more comfortable than sleeping on your old mattress that needs to be replaced anyway. These are also some of the least expensive if your budget is really tight.
More expensive (but not nearly as costly as a new mattress) is the memory foam pad. By now you've probably heard about how memory foam works. These pads will conform to your body shape and add extra support where you need it. When the budget permits, we recommend going with a memory foam mattress, but for now, the pad will do. As a side note, you should also look into memory foam pillows to go with your new pad.
There are however some drawbacks to foam mattress pads. For starters, they are almost impossible to wash. Water will damage the pads and make them almost unusable. If the pad gets too dirty, your best bet is to simply replace it. But chances are that won't happen until you're ready to get that new mattress we've been talking about.
Just to be safe you can fit a plastic sheet over the mattress, but you'll just have to try this for yourself. For some the plastic will make it hard to sleep since it can make noise whenever you roll over. If it keeps you from sleeping then you're defeating the purpose of getting a foam mattress pad.
One final thought, why not get a pad for every bed in the house. It just might help your kids sleep better too, and I think most parents would agree it's a lot easier to sleep when the kids are sleeping soundly as well.