You've done your research, made your purchase, and your new mattress has arrived. But instead of the perfect sleep you were expecting, you find yourself tossing and turning, wondering if you made the wrong choice. Before you initiate a return, understand that almost every new mattress requires a break-in period. Both the mattress and your body need time to adjust.
Why Mattresses Need Breaking In
New mattresses aren't like new shoes that need softening, though the analogy is often made. The break-in process involves several factors:
Material Settling
Foam materials in particular need time to fully expand and stabilise, especially if the mattress was compressed for shipping (bed-in-a-box). While manufacturers say mattresses are ready for use within 24-72 hours of unpacking, reaching optimal performance can take longer. The cellular structure of foam continues to relax and adapt over the first few weeks of use.
Component Adjustment
Hybrid and innerspring mattresses contain multiple layers that need to work together. Springs, transition foams, and comfort layers all settle and conform with use. This process is gradual and happens through normal sleeping, not active "breaking in."
Your Body's Adaptation
Perhaps more important than the mattress changing is your body adjusting. You've likely spent years on your old mattress, and your muscles, joints, and sleep habits have adapted to that surface. A new mattress—even one that's objectively better for your body—can feel strange or uncomfortable until your body recalibrates.
Most people report significant improvement within 2-4 weeks. Full break-in typically takes 30-60 days. Some mattresses (particularly dense memory foam) may take up to 90 days to reach optimal comfort.
What to Expect During the Adjustment Period
Week 1: The Strange Phase
The first week is often the most challenging. Common experiences include:
- Feeling like the mattress is too firm (most common) or too soft
- Difficulty finding a comfortable position
- Waking more frequently than usual
- Some initial stiffness or minor aches (different from the old mattress)
- Awareness of new smells from off-gassing (harmless and temporary)
This is completely normal. Your body has spent thousands of nights on your previous mattress; adjusting to a new surface takes time.
Weeks 2-3: The Improvement Phase
Most people notice improvement during this period. The mattress begins to feel more natural, sleep quality often improves, and you may start to appreciate features that initially felt unusual. Morning stiffness typically decreases as your body adapts to the new support pattern.
Weeks 4-8: The Settling Phase
By this point, both you and the mattress have largely adapted. Sleep quality should be stable or improving. Minor adjustments continue, but the major adaptation is complete. If you're still uncomfortable after 6-8 weeks, the mattress may genuinely not be right for you.
- Normal: Initial stiffness, unfamiliar feel, minor aches that improve over weeks
- Concerning: Pain that worsens over time, persistent pressure points, significant sleep quality decline
Tips for a Smoother Break-In Period
Give It Time Before Judging
The most important tip is patience. Don't decide the mattress is wrong after a few nights. Commit to sleeping on it consistently for at least 30 days before drawing conclusions. Many people who initially thought they'd made a mistake end up loving their mattress after the adjustment period.
Sleep on It Every Night
Consistency matters. If you spend some nights on the new mattress and others on a different surface (guest bed, couch), you're prolonging the adjustment process. Your body needs consistent exposure to adapt.
Use Your Normal Sleep Position
Sleep in your usual position rather than trying to adapt to the mattress. If you're a side sleeper, sleep on your side. The mattress should work for how you actually sleep.
Ensure Proper Setup
- Make sure the mattress is on an appropriate foundation with adequate support
- If it came compressed, allow full expansion time before sleeping on it
- Use appropriate pillows for your sleep position
- Remove any packaging materials or protectors that might affect the feel
Address Off-Gassing
If your mattress has a noticeable smell (common with foam mattresses shipped compressed), ventilate the bedroom well during the first few days. Open windows, use fans, and if the smell is particularly strong, consider sleeping elsewhere for a night or two while it dissipates. This is harmless but can be unpleasant.
Keep a simple sleep journal during the break-in period. Note how you feel each morning, any pain or discomfort, and your subjective sleep quality. This helps you identify trends rather than judging based on individual nights.
Can You Speed Up the Break-In Process?
Some people try to accelerate mattress break-in through various methods. Here's what works and what doesn't:
Methods That May Help Slightly
- Walking on the mattress: Applying weight across the surface can help compress and flex new foam, potentially speeding initial break-in
- Warming the room: Memory foam responds to heat; a warmer room may help it soften faster initially
- Rotating the mattress: Helps ensure even break-in across the surface
Methods That Don't Really Help
- Aggressive manipulation: Bouncing, jumping, or otherwise stressing the mattress can damage it rather than help
- Applying excessive weight: Piling heavy objects on the mattress doesn't replicate the distributed pressure of sleeping
Honestly, the best approach is simply to sleep on the mattress normally and let time do its work. Most "speed up" methods make minimal difference.
When to Consider a Return
Trial periods exist because even with careful selection, some mattresses simply don't work for some people. Consider returning if:
- After 30+ days, you're still consistently uncomfortable
- You're experiencing pain that wasn't present before and isn't improving
- Your sleep quality has significantly declined with no signs of improvement
- You've given honest adjustment time but dread going to bed
Before Initiating a Return
- Double-check that the mattress is properly supported and set up
- Ensure you're using appropriate pillows for your sleep position
- Consider whether other factors (stress, health issues, room environment) might be affecting your sleep
- Review your trial period terms—understand any requirements or deadlines
While patience is important, don't let your trial period expire while hoping things improve. If you're at the 60-day mark of a 100-night trial and still uncomfortable, start the return process rather than waiting until the last moment.
Signs the Mattress Is Right for You
How do you know when break-in is complete and the mattress is working? Look for:
- Falling asleep more easily or at least as easily as before
- Waking less frequently during the night
- Waking feeling refreshed rather than stiff or sore
- Reduced or eliminated pain that was present with your old mattress
- The mattress feeling "natural"—you're not constantly aware of it
- Looking forward to getting into bed rather than dreading it
Not everyone experiences dramatic improvement—if your old mattress was reasonably good, the change may be subtle. The goal is comfortable, restorative sleep, not necessarily a transformative experience.
A Note on Expectations
No mattress is perfect, and expecting one to eliminate all sleep issues is unrealistic. A good mattress provides proper support, minimises pressure points, and suits your personal preferences. It won't cure insomnia caused by stress, fix sleep apnea, or compensate for poor sleep habits.
Approach your new mattress with realistic expectations, give it a fair break-in period, and judge it on whether it supports healthy, restful sleep—not on whether it delivers some idealized perfect night every time.