mattress protector and memory foam

[phoenix]

Hi dannylightning,

here is my problem… I got one of these beauty rest hybrid beds. memory foam with a inner spring, when i put this protect a bed mattress protector on the bed now feels kind of hard, i do not feel like i sink in to he memory foam properly and the bed does not seem to conform to me and its not comfortable and feels allot harder… i just got the bed yesterday and i slept on it last night with the mattress protector, when i woke up my back muscles are tight and sore and i have a stiff neck. the bed seems to have pressure points with the protector o it since i am not sinking down into the foam like i should be.

I think it’s much too soon after only one day to assess either your new mattress or your mattress protector because after only one day both of them will need to break in which will change your experience on the mattress over the first 30 - 90 days. There is more about breaking in a new memory foam mattress in post #2 here.

In most cases … the thin “membrane type” of protector you purchased will have little effect on a memory foam mattress although there are some whose experience is not typical of most people who use them and it can be difficult sometimes to track down if there is a reason why outside of just the difference in perception and sensitivity between people. There is more about the pros and cons of different types of protectors in post #89 here.

Some of the reasons that this may be happening for you includes the tightness and pocket size of the mattress protector or the sheets you are using which can create a “drum effect” on the mattress. In other cases it may be because of a combination of the combined thickness of the protector and sheets (or other components) you are using on top of your mattress and their combined ability to allow body heat to reach the memory foam underneath them which can affect how the temperature sensitive memory foam softens underneath you. In some cases you may have two “layers” on top of a mattress which may be fine but adding something else may take you over the edge where the effect on the memory foam is more than you are comfortable with. Thicker layers of material on top of a memory foam mattress (your protector, any mattress pad, and any sheets and bedding on top of the mattress that you sleep on) can have a combined effect on the amount of heat that reaches the memory foam and can reduce its ability to soften and contour to your body.

i would think if i slept on top of a the sheets or the comforter and had just a mattress pad on there that would absorb allot of the body oil and sweat and i would think that stuff would not make it down to the mattress but i could be wrong.

This would depend on the type and thickness of the mattress pad you are using and whether it is designed to be water resistant or waterproof and “double up” as a mattress protector as well instead of being just an additional soft layer on your sleeping system. Depending on the type and thickness and the amount of heat it allows to reach the memory foam … a mattress pad can also affect the ability or length of time it takes the memory foam underneath it to soften and contour even though the thickness/softness of a mattress pad itself may mask this to some degree in some cases. There is more about some of the different types of mattress pads in post #10 here.

Overall though … the first suggestion I would make is to give your new mattress, protector, and the sheets and bedding you are sleeping on a little more time to stretch, lose any of their initial stiffness, and break in a little before deciding to make any changes. It may also be an idea to wash the protector (following the care instructions) before using it.

Phoenix