How to Adjust to a New Mattress

The day has finally arrived – your brand-new mattress is here! You eagerly rip open the packaging and lift it onto your bed frame, filled with anticipation for sinking into its plush comfort tonight. Sliding between the sheets, you get settled in for what should be a blissful first night’s sleep. But as you lie there, it feels off.

It’s normal to need some time to adjust to a new mattress because the support can be different from what you’re used to. And it will soften a bit as it breaks in. Chances are, you’ll start sleeping more soundly as you and your mattress get to know each other. 

How long does leaving a new mattress before sleeping on it take?

When you first open a vacuum-packed mattress, it needs time to fully inflate and take shape – you should wait at least two hours before sleeping on it.

Letting it sit for 24 hours allows the foams and fibres to expand and settle fully. Anything between 2-24 hours will work fine too.

Just resist the urge to immediately jump on the bed because this can damage the mattress by compressing the foam and springs. Let it inflate and wait patiently.  

Breaking in your new mattress.

Don’t do anything fancy to break it in – the best way to help your new mattress soften up is to sleep on it as usual, because the more you sleep on it, the more it will adjust to your body shape and weight. Basically, the mattress will mould to you. 

Here are some key things to be aware of as you adjust:

• Edge support – Most new mattresses have better edge support with reinforced sides. This can make them feel unusually firm at the edges – this is a regular feature that maximises sleeping space.
• More support – New mattresses don’t sag, so you may feel like sleeping “on” rather than “in” your mattress. This extra support takes adjustment and is more pronounced with spring-type mattresses.
• Responsiveness – If you purchase a memory foam or latex mattress, you’ll notice how it moulds to your body shape, which can feel unusual until you acclimate to that cradled feeling.
• Bounciness – Spring mattresses have more bounce than foam or latex. This extra springiness can disrupt your sleep at first.

Give your body time to get acquainted with how your new mattress cushions and supports you. The unfamiliar feel will start to feel natural after a few nights.

Dealing with the “new mattress smell.”

That “new mattress smell” – yeah, it’s a thing. The chemicals used to make mattresses can give them an odour at first. As you start sleeping on your new bed, those smells from the manufacturing process get released into the air.

Don’t worry, it’s not harmful. It’s just part of the mattress breaking in – experts call it “off-gassing.” Airing out your bedroom can help dissipate the smell more quickly. Open the windows, run a fan, and sprinkle on some baking soda. Within a couple of months of nightly use, you’ll barely notice any mattress odour at all.

Be patient while your body adjusts.

It takes time for your body to adjust to a new mattress. Allow 2-4 weeks for your sleep to improve as your muscles relax into the new support. Your mattress will soften up during this period and start to feel dreamy.

What if I just can’t get used to my new mattress?

Adding a firm or soft mattress topper can customise the firmness level if you still don’t feel comfortable after a month. Alternatively, if your mattress has a sleep night trial, you can return it and try something else.

It’s crucial to know that most people who don’t like their new mattress just need time to adjust to it. Wait a few months before making your mind up.

If you enjoyed this article, discover 6 common mistakes when buying a mattress, and check out our next day delivery mattresses if you haven’t bought one already.