What to Expect When You’re Breaking in a Mattress

Buying a new mattress is such a rewarding accomplishment. You’re finally set to enjoy the quality sleep you deserve and the healthier, happier life that comes with it. But sometimes, the experience of climbing into bed on that very first night can be a little unexpected. 

 Why is my new bed hurting my back? Oh no, do I hate my new mattress? What am I going to do? If these questions have ever crossed your mind when sleeping on a new mattress, you’re not alone. These anxieties typically arise when customers are uninformed about breaking in a mattress, and that’s why we’re here to put your worries to bed. 
The mattress experts at Texas Mattress Makers are here to educate you on what to expect when you’re breaking in a mattress, how to break in a mattress, and how long the period will last.

1. The break-in period

We understand that a pair of new shoes needs to be worn over time to reach their optimal comfort level — well, mattresses are the same way. Breaking in a mattress takes time and patience to ensure that your new bed feels as comfortable as possible for you.

How long does it take to break in a mattress? The break-in period can vary depending on the type of mattress you purchased. A new mattress will typically take 30 – 60 nights to fully adjust to your body. After that time has passed, your bed should feel as comfortable and supportive as you imagined it. 

Texas Mattress Makers offers a Comfort Guarantee where if you’re still not satisfied with your mattress after 90 nights when the break-in period has passed, we will do whatever it takes to help. Please read the full guarantee to be aware of what is and isn’t covered in our factory warranty.

2. Initial stiffness or firmness 

Let’s stick with the shoe analogy: when you try on a pair of shoes in the store, you’ll notice that they’ll feel stiff; new shoes made with fresh materials need time to adjust and mold to your feet before they feel perfect. 

A new mattress is made with fresh, untouched components, and these materials can feel quite firm until they are broken in. Early on, you’ll notice this firmness or stiffness in the components, but they will soften up over time as they adjust to your body. 

Expert Tip: If you feel that your new mattress is too firm, you can accelerate the break-in process by walking on the mattress (without shoes, of course). This technique opens the cells in the components, which will soften them up faster.

3. Slight discomfort 

Why is my new bed hurting my back? Is this supposed to happen? When you sleep on your new mattress for the first few nights, the initial stiffness or firmness of the materials could result in mild discomfort. Some people experience minor aches and pains as their body adjusts to the new support and alignment provided by the mattress. It’s completely normal and nothing to worry about.

As you and your new mattress adjust to one another, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort. To avoid prolonged discomfort, sleep on your new mattress consistently every night to give your bed enough time to get used to your body. If you’re still feeling any pain after the break-in period, you can seek additional support by contacting us with your concerns.

4. In-store vs. home feel 

You typically buy the stiff, new pair of shoes you tried on in the store, but you won’t know how they will perform until they’ve been broken in. What if you don’t like the way they feel? What if they don’t live up to your expectations? What if they’re not right for your feet? If you’re investing in something as important as shoes or a mattress, you want to be certain that your choice is the best option for you.

If you took your new bed home and thought, “Why does my mattress not feel like it did in the store?” This is normal and intentional to eliminate any confusion about what you’re buying. At Texas Mattress Makers, our showroom models are already broken in so that our customers can feel exactly how their new mattress will feel AFTER the break-in period. This provides a better idea of how future sleep will feel on that particular mattress.

Put simply, you try out a broken-in mattress in-store to understand how it will perform; then, we send you home with a fresh mattress that will conform to your body over time for optimal comfort. 

5. Body impressions

If you’re still wondering why breaking in a mattress is even necessary, we have the answer: to form body impressions. As mentioned before, the break-in period allows your mattress components to adjust and conform to your body for better support and comfort. Over time, this can lead to a (sometimes) visible imprint on the mattress.

My mattress has dips where I sleep! If you notice a slight indentation where your body usually lies, this is a body impression. These are not the same as sags or dips, which indicate a structural issue with the mattress. A mattress dent or dip usually looks like a crater in a particular area, whereas an impression will have curves imitating your body shape.

The body impression is a natural compression that helps support your spine and keeps you comfortable throughout the night. It is essential for getting quality sleep each night.

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What is the best way to break in a mattress?

The answer is simple: consistent sleep — but there’s also a way to speed up the process!

1. Sleep on it every night even if it feels a little uncomfortable at first. This will help your mattress (and body) adapt more quickly. 
2. Walk on your mattress to accelerate the break-in period. A little-known trick we use in our showrooms is walking on the mattress to help open up the materials faster. This works especially well for foam and hybrid mattresses, as it helps expand the cells and soften the feel. It’s a mix of time and effort — not just waiting for it to adjust on its own.
3. Avoid jumping or applying excessive pressure. Does jumping on a mattress help break it in? No, it doesn’t. While walking on the mattress can help break it in, jumping on it is not recommended. Excessive pressure can damage internal components and shorten its lifespan.
4. Give it at least 60 nights before deciding. If it still feels firmer or less comfortable than expected, patience is key. But if after 90 nights you’re still not satisfied, our Comfort Guarantee has you covered. 

Texas Mattress Makers: Expect Your Best Night’s Sleep

We cannot emphasize enough how important breaking in a mattress is and how essential this guide will be to your overall comfort and sleep quality. Choosing the right mattress for your needs and preferences will make the transition to a new mattress as smooth as possible. Remember that patience and consistency are the keys to a lifetime of comfortable sleep.

If mattress shopping is stressful for you, we have the perfect solution. Check out our complete guide on mattress shopping advice so you know what to expect before you even set foot in a store or bring a new bed home.

Visit any of our mattress stores in Houston to try out our broken-in mattresses and leave feeling confident with your purchase. Our mattress experts are here to ensure that you get sufficient sleep each and every night.

More Helpful Articles by Texas Mattress Makers:

• How Do You Know When You Need a New Mattress?
• Do I Need a Foundation for My Mattress?
• Is a Firm Mattress Better for Your Back?
• Expert Guide to Mattress Firmness
• Mattress Myth: Can You Fix a Mattress Dip?