<p>The doctor said D should be sleeping on a hard mattress-- which might work with some dorm mattresses. To be on the safe side, can anyone recommend a mattress topper for someone with a back problem?</p>
<p>the 3inch memory foam ones. Soft enough, yet hard enough for her back :P</p>
<p>Be aware, though, that memory foam can be very hot. So depending on your D’s internal thermostat, and where she’s attending college, it might or might not be a good idea.</p>
<p>You can avoid some of the “heat” assoc with memory foam by covering with a mattress pad and then a fitted sheet Many memory forms now come with a cover, add what you need.</p>
<p>I like the one at Sams Club.</p>
<p>D has scoliosis and has been sleeping on memory foam mattress, not topper. While she was gone to DC, I slept on it for a few days and I had the best sleep there, no toss and turns. I have back problems too! I bought the mattress from overstock, it became like a long tube and expands in a few days.</p>
<p>I don’t think a mattress topper is the answer…a nice board under the mattress serves well.</p>
<p>My daughter’s bed was aclaimed best bed in the dorm. I first put on a 2 inch memory foam (3 would be great) then covered it with two mattress pads. It takes away the “heat issue” and really adds a nice plush feel.</p>
<p>If you want firm, nothing beats a sleeping bag on the floor.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if the OP means hard/board-like or very supportive/firm (there is a big difference). My H and I both have bad backs. Sleeping on a rock hard surface or the floor is usually not the answer. </p>
<p>We have a 3" memory foam on top of our firm mattress. That works best. We have a mattress cover on top of the entire thing, and then a fitted sheet. We never wake up stiff anymore.</p>
<p>I suspect the concern relates to the notoriously undersprung bed frames in college. They sell bed boards to create a firmer base. Check on line.</p>
<p>My mother has used a piece of plywood between the boxspring and the mattress for the last forty years. That’s a fairly cheap approach.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Hey, aren’t you the rich guy who could afford to buy mom a good bed? ;)</p>
<p>My mother is reasonably well-off these days.</p>
<p>Warren Buffett still lives in the home that his mother left him.</p>
<p>My wife almost always sleeps on the floor. The kids do most of the time. I do about half the time. You can develop habits that last you the rest of your life where money doesn’t really make a difference.</p>
<p>Be sure to check with your daughter’s school before buying a memory foam mattress topper, as some schools do not allow them in campus dorms. (I think that may be due to a fire hazard or flammability issue.)</p>
<p>Another mom with D with scoliosis. She has been very comfortable on 3" memory foam topper, mattress pad, sheet.</p>
<p>Thanks! Lots of good ideas. (I think I’ll get a memory foam topper for ME…, and let her sleep on it before we buy one for her.)</p>