How Long Does It Take to Get Used to a New Mattress?

How Long Does It Take to Get Used to a New Mattress?

You've bought your new mattress.

You sleep on it for one night.

And you wake up thinking:

“This feels completely different.”

That's not unusual.

A new mattress may differ from your previous bed in its support, cushioning, firmness, height and the way your body settles into the surface.

You've also probably spent years becoming accustomed to your old mattress.

That means your first night isn't necessarily the best time to make a final judgement.

Why Does a New Mattress Feel So Different?

Mattresses gradually change through years of normal use.

Even if your old mattress was no longer providing the feel it once did, your body had become familiar with it.

A new mattress presents a completely different sleeping surface.

Your hips may settle differently.

Your shoulders may sink more or less.

Your pillow can even feel different because your body is sitting at a different height relative to your head.

Does the Mattress Itself Settle?

Comfort layers can settle somewhat through normal use.

That doesn't mean a mattress should dramatically collapse.

But a brand-new mattress and one that has been slept on consistently for several weeks may not feel absolutely identical.

How Long Should You Give a New Mattress?

There isn't one universal number that applies to every mattress and every person.

At Luxury Orthopaedic Beds, our 60 Night Comfort Guarantee includes a minimum 28-night familiarisation period before an eligible comfort exchange can be requested.

What Should You Do During Those First Few Weeks?

Use the mattress normally.

Sleep across the available surface where practical.

Try not to assess comfort simply by sitting on the edge or pressing the mattress with your hand.

Also think about the rest of your sleep setup.

Have you changed your pillow?

Is your new mattress significantly thicker?

Are you using a new mattress protector?

Did you also replace the base?

All of those things can influence how your new bed feels.

What if the Mattress Feels Too Firm?

Don't automatically assume you made the wrong choice after one or two nights.

A new sleeping surface can feel particularly noticeable when you've moved from an older or softer mattress.

Give yourself a reasonable opportunity to experience the mattress under normal use.

If it consistently remains firmer than you enjoy after the adjustment period, then your personal comfort preference may genuinely be softer.

What if It Feels Too Soft?

The same principle applies.

First give yourself time to assess it.

Then check the foundation underneath the mattress.

A damaged, flexible or unsuitable base can alter the way a mattress feels.

Our Comfort Levels

Our Orthopaedic Merino Mattress is available in:

Soft

Medium

Firm

and

Extra Firm.

The mattress is built around our own Orthopaedic 5-Zone Pocket Spring System, while the comfort selection changes the feel you experience above that support structure.

Is “Breaking In” a Mattress the Same as Wearing It Out?

No.

A small amount of normal settling in comfort materials shouldn't be confused with premature structural deterioration.

A new mattress shouldn't suddenly lose its support simply because you've slept on it for several weeks.

The Bottom Line

Your first night on a new mattress is only your first impression.

Give yourself time to experience the bed properly.