When we buy a new mattress, the main fear is that it will not be as comfortable as promised. In general, it takes 2 weeks for the body to get used to the change in support and degree of stiffness. Therefore it is not at all uncommon for the first few nights to find it difficult to fall asleep looking for a comfortable position.
We often assume that we have made the wrong choice and decide to return the mattress. The new model may also have characteristics unsuitable for our body and way of rest, however we have a little patience and give the support time to yield just enough to offer a satisfying welcome.
Net of the aforementioned considerations, in this article will try to explain everything we can put into practice to speed up the adaptation to the new mattress.
Why does the new mattress take time to get used to?
Like the engine of a new car or a newly bought pair of shoes, the mattress also needs a shorter or longer running-in period. After years of resting on the same support, our body finds familiar hollows and recesses formed with the failure of the material or the wear of the springs.
The transition to a new support, more rigid or softer, could be rather traumatic and offer the sensation of initial discomfort.
In some cases, we feel at ease right from the first use, but sometimes it can take more than a month to get the desired welcome. Let’s see what behaviors to adopt to increase the comfort of the new mattress.
We let the mattress breathe before use
If we purchased the mattress online, it will most likely be delivered rolled or compressed depending on the type. In any case, the product is always wrapped in several layers of plastic film to ensure adequate protection.
Once the packaging is removed, the mattress may give off a strange odor that will disappear in a day or two. By choosing a memory foam or latex model, the product is almost always packaged rolled to take up less space during transport.
Consequently, we must allow time for the viscoelastic foam or in any case for the material to expand and regain its original shape. Depending on the model, this could take four to twelve hours.
The important thing is to always let the mattress breathe for at least 24 hours, even if it is a pocket spring model. Also, remember not to apply a mattress protector or add a sheet, as well as to place objects or lie down to do even a short test. After a day, the mattress will have acquired its final shape and we can start using it.
Is the slatted base compatible?
Before buying a new mattress, checking compatibility with the slatted base. Moving from an old spring model to a modern memory foam or latex mattress, it is very likely that we will also have to change the now deformed bed base.
In any case, we ask the manufacturer for information and do not forget that an unstable and worn structure has a very negative impact on the functionality of the mattress and the perceived comfort.
It requires patience
If the mattress is initially unwelcoming, we must not fall into despair and make rash decisions. In these cases the password is patience, in fact it could take a running-in period of up to a couple of months.
Another aspect that should not be underestimated concerns the quality of the mattress. We often believe that by purchasing a very expensive model, we have the guarantee that it will be immediately comfortable. In reality, the exact opposite could happen, precisely because of the high quality of the materials which requires more time for the adaptation process.
Adaptation times for a latex mattress
Latex mattresses require less running in and may even adapt to the body after a few hours. The time required varies depending on whether the latex is natural or synthetic and the level of hardness of the support. It hardly takes more than two weeks to get used to the new mattress.
Adaptation times for a memory foam mattress
The running-in period for models in memory is somewhat variable based on the density of the memory foam. Cheap low density mattresses can offer an immediate and pleasant welcome, but after a few months it is easy to feel the sensation of sinking. Expensive high-density models take up to two months to adapt, however they provide the benefits of differentiated lift and feature retention for a long time.
Adaptation times for a spring mattress
Spring models require a fairly quick fitting process. The springs are specially designed to adapt immediately to the pressure exerted and therefore to the weight of the body. More problems can arise in the presence of hybrid models that add a layer of memory foam, which could lengthen the time. On average, it takes a maximum of four weeks to get used to a new spring mattress.
If you really can’t make it, return the mattress
Many companies offer the possibility to try the mattress and then return it without additional costs (if anything, only the shipping costs are charged), if it does not meet expectations. Usually the period granted is 100 days, which means we have 3 months to accustom the body and understand if the support is suitable for our way of rest.