Searching Again - petite side sleeper, maybe back sleeper

Mattress Talk 3) Needs & Personal Preferences
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I’ve been looking for the right mattress for a long time. I never thought I was the Princess and the Pea, but that’s what comes to mind at this point. I’m 5’4" and unfortunately, down to ~122lbs. I have a Ryze Silver adjustable bed, which I got when I was told that elevating the head of the bed would help with a health issue. I was always a right side-sleeper. Recently, I was told I should be sleeping on my left side and elevated, or on my back & elevated 7" due to another issue. I cannot get comfortable on my left side, so I end up on my back, but that’s not great either with current mattress.

Here’s the extensive list of mattresses I’ve tried:

  1. Plush Beds Botanical Bliss Medium 9", way too firm even with their soft topper. Hip pain increased & developed slight lower back pain.
  2. Leesa Legend 12", again way too firm. Added an old 3" memory foam topper as a band-aid until the next option.
  3. Still convince that latex was best, I ordered from Sleep EZ after talking to their great rep, Rodger. Tried various configurations but couldn’t get comfortable, and hip pain was still a variable. Although, I was one of the 3-5% who returned their mattress, their mattresses seem to be very well made and I was very disappointed. I spoke with 4 reps at Sleep EZ and each one was knowledgeable, professional, very kind, and not one hard sell from any of them. Truly a great company to work with.
  4. Soft Wink mattress. It sleeps hot and doesn’t feel soft. I’m now sleeping in the middle and can’t sleep on my side for long. I didn’t fully understand what it means to sleep hot until this experience. I have the a/c set at what should be a very comfortable sleeping temperature, only use a sheet, yet whatever side of me is touching the mattress gets very hot while the rest of me is cold.
  5. Sparrow Signature Hybrid Queen / Plush currently. I’ve had this about 6 months. I’ve had it longer that expected because it’s been looking at mattresses has been so frustrating. I had high hopes for it. It’s too hot, and surprisingly, too firm on both my side and back.

So, here I go again. In my current search, I’ve had latex coming up again. That’s probably because memory foam seems too hot. Unfortunately, each latex mattress I’ve tried seemed too firm. I’ve started wondering if I should stick with softer latex mattress and just accept that I will need to had some type of cool topper. (that adds a new dilemma - which topper?)

Do people actually sleep in one position all night or is that just a sales pitch???

TIA!!!

Signed,
Desperate

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I’m in the same boat. Just requested a return of my Saatva Classic luxury firm although now I’m wondering if I should try the Plush before fully returning. I was planning to order the Sleep EZ but now reading some people like me saying the latex didn’t work for them, I’m worried. I will say I just bought an adjustable base and it has been the best decision I’ve made so far. It has made the Saatva at least tolerable. The Saatva Classic has not slept hot, but the luxury firm is still mostly crushing my shoulder. It’s a little better now with the down alternative topper from them, and the adjustable base, but not much. There’s just no give in the shoulder. What configuration of Sleep EZ did you do?

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I have considered the Saatva Plush, too. I wish I lived near someone who carried these. I tried the Naturepedic all latex at a local store. I was afraid it would be too firm.

Here is the Sleep EZ configuration I purchased:
Organic Latex Mattress

  • Mattress Size: Queen (60x80)
  • Mattress Thickness: Select Sleep 10"
  • Mattress Firmness: Personalized
  • Selected Options: LAYER #1: 3-inch 100% Natural Talalay, Split - Soft + Soft
    LAYER #2: 3-inch 100% Natural Talalay, Split - Medium + Medium
    LAYER #3: 3-inch GOLS Natural Dunlop, Split - Firm + Firm
  • Percentage Layer 2: 100% Natural Talalay (+$99.95)
    Copied from my invoice.

I have to say that they are a great company. Roger helped with my original order and several times afterwards. I talked to 4 team members during the trial period and they were all very helpful and knowledgeable. I tried every configuration they suggested. Never got a hard sales pitch from any of them. The mattress was beautifully made and I was so disappointed that it didn’t work out.
Good luck to you.

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Saatva is terrible.

Id try BackScience 2 or 3 are great!

John

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Hi @perryl

Phew…you’ve been through a lot of mattresses! I’m not sure I know exactly how each one of them was made, and of course your health issues introduce a level of complication that requires a more thoughtful analysis, but let me share some simple observations and advice:

  • Memory foam sleeps HOT, period. No matter what a company claims they’ve added to their memory foam to mitigate this issue, the reality is that it still sleeps hot.

  • In my opinion, all-foam mattresses struggle to provide BOTH comfort and adaptive support. Most are good at providing one or the other, but struggle to achieve both.

  • Saatva is an incredible, brilliant, world-class…internet marketing company. They are not a world-class mattress company. I wouldn’t be surprised if their top executives have never even been in a mattress factory. They might as well be selling widgets. They make so many different kinds of mattresses, because they’re trying to be all things to all people. But when a company tries to offer every kind of product imaginable, those products usually come out pretty average, not exceptional. I’ve stood in factories and watched closely as their beds are being made, and I can tell you first hand that Saatva mattresses are, well, not exceptional.

In my store, we only make and sell one type of mattress: natural, organic & toxin-free hybrid mattresses, made from cotton, wool, latex and pocketed-coil springs. In my opinion, this type of construction is the best way to achieve the ideal combination of Comfort, Support & Temperature Management … what I call the ‘3 Keys to a Great Night’s Sleep’.

So that’s some general advice. Beyond that, based on your past struggles I kindly and humbly recommend you find a seller you can trust and consult at length to try and find the right solution to meet your needs. Someone local for you would be ideal, but if not, then someone who can give you the same level of service and attention as a local shop. Someone willing to commit to working with you over the long-haul to find the right solution, no matter what it takes. And in return, it should be someone you’re willing to commit to beyond a single purchase. Bouncing from one brand to another every 3 to 6 months is unlikely to provide a positive outcome.

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I recommend a DIY bed. Bolsa edge elite springs, with the bamboo/wool cover and then you decide what to put in it for the layers.

What i personally would do at your weight, is get the 10" cover and put 2" of soft dunlop into it. Then get the topper cover with another 2" of their blended super soft latex and put that on top.

I think what you really need to get better at is understanding what feel exactly you want, and how exactly you can manifest that for yourself with the usage of various foams. Latex is not the be all end all of bedding, it is okay to use some standard foams and other bed covers to achieve your desired feel.

I mean if you got a natural affordable mattress cover it could go around your current mattress, and you could put your own layers of different foams in there to adjust your own bed to your own perfect feel.

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What I’m getting at is you have your nice solid put together mattress and then as you learn how to modify your own bed you’ll eventually put together how you want it to be perfectly. You want a medium base for your weight, which soft Dunlop would be about a medium feel since you’re lighter, and then you need a very soft top layer in your topper. That’s why i recommend their blended soft latex topper.

Another option is just getting a 2" or 3" layer of super soft foam from foambymail and putting that into the topper cover. Standard foam doesn’t try to resist the load placed upon it like latex does, it actually gives more under your weight.

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Hi Perryl! Fellow princess and the pea here ◡̈ I’m petite too, and have been going through mattress hell for the past year+ but am finally on the right path (I think). I am actually filming a whole mattress series of videos to put on YouTube to (hopefully) help others avoid the same mistakes I made. It can be so frustrating, I’m sure you know.

So I am currently sleeping on the floor on a Sleep on Latex Firm 3" topper with the Avocado medium 3" topper on top of that until my new mattress from Mattress Makers San Diego arrives. I spent 3.5 hours in their store a few weeks ago and it was honestly the best experience of my life when it came to what is usually a very stressful shopping experience. I ended up buying the Presidio medium soft which is all talalay latex. Have you tried talalay? That was my first time trying it myself, all the other latex I have tried is dunlop which is much firmer. I never thought I would go for a medium soft in firmness, I always thought I was a medium firm kinda gal, but they really helped me see (and feel) the difference between the different firmness options and how more firm for me caused more pressure points which will not be comfortable overnight. Are you near Southern California? I know they ship nationwide, but going to their store in person is a must if you happen to be nearby!

I also want to ask, how do you like your adjustable bed frame? I almost bought the same one! But am holding off on it for now to see if the mattress alone will do the trick. I hope you find your perfect set up asap- good sleep is just too important!

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Hmm that’s similar to what I was planning to try. I wonder if I do the soft talalay, medium talalay, and medium dunlop on bottom if it would work…I think I’m going to return my Saatva rather than exchange for plush, but now the pressure is on to find another mattress to replace it with!! :expressionless: I guess I could just try the Sleep EZ to see if it works for me. Ethical Mattress has replied to my post a lot recommending their latex hybrid. Might call them too. Keep us updated!

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I called Sleep EZ to discuss it before placing an order. They were very helpful snd no sales pressure. Good luck.

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Thank you for the recommendation

First, i like the Ryze silver adjustable bed. No complaints.

Second, my father was just telling me that he just ordered a mattress from Mattress Makers in San Diego. I knew I recognized the name from someone here, so I had to come back here to see who mentioned it. He lives in northern Michigan. I live in SE Michigan. No possibility of going to test it out. He talked to them via phone after seeing their videos on you tube. I’ll check them out now.

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Thank you for your response. I completely agree that working with someone who is local and knowledgeable would be the best way to go. Unfortunately, where I live in SE Michigan, we only have large chain stores. There was a rep who was very helpful at a local store that sold a wide variety of online brands and more customizable brands, but the 3rd time I went to see him, he was very honest and told me they had been bought by a large chain mattress company. This whole process has mafe me very fearful of spending a lot of money only to be stuck with a mattress that is uncomfortable.

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Thank you for your response. I’ve considered DIY. It seems even more daunting for some reason.

You said, “recommend their blended soft latex topper.” Who is “their?” I don’t see the company/brand you’re referring to.
Thanks again.

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Mattresses.net has the blended very soft topper

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Oh wow, small world! I’m curious which one your dad purchased. I think their most popular is a hybrid called the Soledad if I’m not mistaken. Your dad made a good choice! They really are great.

Also good to know that you like your Ryze base. I may end up buying it in the future if the mattress alone doesn’t do the trick. Do you sleep with it inclined on both head and feet?

I completely understand your fear- a good return policy is a must for a purchase like this. Mattresses are so subjective and need to be uniquely tailored to the person and their specific needs. Keep us posted on what you decide!

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My parents bought the Carmel mattress. Did you get the Presidio mattress yet? How is it?

I sleep with the head and feet elevated most often. It really depends on how I’m feeling. At first, I simply used the anti-snore function because I just needed it elevated slightly (not due to snoring). I’m dealing with laryngopharyngeal reflux (silent reflux) now, so I elevate the head more. It’s been helpful. I just need to work out the mattress issue.

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Hi,

Thank you so much for sharing all of that detail about your experience. First of all, I completely understand the “Princess and the Pea” feeling you described. When you’re sensitive to pressure and trying to solve health issues at the same time, finding the right mattress can be incredibly frustrating—especially after trying so many well-known options.

Also, to answer your question honestly: no, most people do not stay in one position all night. The average person changes position many times during sleep. That’s why the best mattresses are designed to support your spine properly in multiple positions, rather than forcing your body to stay in just one.

Based on what you described—your weight, hip pressure on your side, sleeping elevated, and sensitivity to heat—you may want to consider Back Science. This mattress line was designed by Dr. Rick Swartzburg, a Doctor of Chiropractic, specifically to maintain proper spinal alignment while also relieving pressure.

One of the things that makes Back Science different is the material it uses called Hypergel.

Unlike memory foam, Hypergel does not trap heat and doesn’t create that “stuck” feeling. It’s designed to be breathable and responsive so you don’t sleep hot.

Unlike latex, which can feel very firm and push back strongly (especially for lighter sleepers), Hypergel provides pressure relief without excessive pushback, which can be helpful for relieving hip and shoulder pressure when side sleeping.

Another benefit is that the mattresses are designed to adapt to different sleeping positions, whether you’re on your side, back, or moving between both during the night. They also work very well on adjustable bases, like the one you’re using.

Back Science also offers a 365-night customization period, which is very helpful for people who are trying to dial in the right feel. If the mattress isn’t quite right, adjustments can be made so you can fine-tune the comfort and support rather than starting over with a completely different mattress.

If you’d like, I’d be happy to talk through which Back Science model might work best for your body type, sleeping position, and adjustable base setup. Sometimes a few small details can make a big difference.

Looking forward to helping you finally find something comfortable.

Best,
Kaylee

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It just arrived today! Let’s see how the next two weeks or so go while my body gets used to sleeping on it.. customer service so far has been 10/10. Do you parents like the Carmel?

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They haven’t received it yet. I’m hoping to go try it when they do, though.

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Latex mattresses and hybrid mattresses are all suitable for you.

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