The 10 in. Tuft & Needle Diary

[phoenix]

Hi sheep123,

Thanks for taking the time to share such detailed and thoughtful comments and feedback … I appreciate it

1. Right now we have the mattress on our old foundation- an “adjustable” slat foundation: sleepworks.com/mattresses/flexible-slat-system I’ve never liked that foundation with our innerspring/latex mattress, I never could get it adjusted right. When I pushed the adjusters out to make the mattress softer, the mattress would “cave” and form a dip. Felt like i was sleeping in a hammock. I don’t think these foundations must be good for mattresses either- it is VERY flexible, more than it looks. Our old mattress developed permanent “dips” in the springs after 6 years (doubt it was the latex- there is only 1" in the mattress), I’m convinced from being on this foundation. Another natural mattress store owner locally said these foundations aren’t the best for a heavier mattress, and that they are “gimicky”. I agree. My question is: is it okay to have our new TN mattress on this foundation for a week or two? I think the TN weighs at least half of the old mattress. I ordered a mattress.net kd foundation, but it’s not here yet. I don’t want to compromise the mattress, but was too excited not to set it up when it arrived! I also think that a kd foundation will probably make the mattress even firmer? I hope not too much firmer… I am looking forward to no “beam” down the center of the mattress which I can feel through the mattress with the flexible foundation.

A flexible slat foundation is an “active” part of a sleeping system just like any of the other layers in the mattress itself that compress or flex under your weight so it can certainly affect the feel and performance of the mattress. You can see more of my thoughts about flexible slat systems (such as the one that is an option with the BE mattress) vs rigid non flexing foundations in post #13 here and post #2 here and post #2 here.

In most cases using a non flexing foundation will make the mattress feel firmer but sometimes the effect of different components can be surprising for some people. There are different types of firmness and softness that some people can be more or less sensitive to (see post #15 here) and by firming up the support system under a mattress it can also “force” more of the compression to the top layer of the mattress which for some people may “feel” what they “translate” as being softer.

2. Do you have any ideas why I got the scapular/thoracic pain last night? I’m still achey 5 hours later, despite rolling on my foam roller and hot bath. Is there anything I can change in the mattress/pillow or the way I sleep to help?

There is more about the most common “symptoms” that people may experience when they sleep on a mattress and some of the possible reasons for them in post #2 here.

While it’s not possible for me to know why any specific person would experience a specific “symptom” … some of the possible reasons may include …

1. This is just part of the normal break in and adjustment period that is part of any new mattress purchase (see post #2 here).

2. It could be connected to the flexible foundation under your mattress which could be causing your upper back or shoulders to be in a somewhat “hunched” position which can create tension in your upper back over the course of the night.

3. It could also be a pillow issue which is pushing your head and neck forward which can also create tension or soreness in your upper back over the course of the night.

4. It could also be connected to the mattress pad you are using which could be interfering with the response of the comfort layer of the mattress and affecting its ability to contour to the shape of your body and perform the way it was designed to. I would consider removing it for the first few weeks while you are going through the break in and adjustment period. This is also why they are using a different and more contouring cover which can take advantage of the greater contouring or “point elasticity” of their new comfort layer material.

5. The mattress may just be too firm for you.

3. I miss a more “pillowtop” type layer. On our last mattress (and guest futon), I’ve had thin toppers underneath the padded mattress pad- 1" of 14 ILD latex (which I don’t like by itself, but under thick mattress pad okay) and a 1" inexpensive egg crate foam topper (on top of the latex topper, again under mattress pad). Mattresses prior to this were polyfoam/innerspring pillowtops. Would it compromise the break in of the new mattress if I added a little bit of these soft, thin comfort layers?

Again … if it’s at all possible I would start with sleeping on the mattress as it’s designed to allow it to break in and for you to adjust to a different type of mattress so that it can perform the way it was designed to. Once your experience has “stabilized” over the course of the first few weeks then I would add any additional “fine tuning” layers that you may either need or prefer depending on your actual experience at that time.

4. Does the foam in the bed break in under where we sleep only, or across the surface? Is there any benefit to rotating the mattress regularly (head to foot, not flipped). And how much does polyfoam actually “soften” during the break in period? I feel like this mattress is on the edge of being too firm for me, but I’ve read in some of your posts that sometimes if a person gets a mattress “just right” in the very beginning, sometimes it ends up being too soft a few weeks or months later, or something to this effect.

The materials will break in more quickly in the areas where you sleep the most or where you are heavier and more slowly in the areas where you sleep less often or are lighter. There is no way to quantify how much softer it will feel or how much any particular person will be affected by it because it depends on the type and quality of the material and on the body type, sleeping style, and sensitivity of the person. If the materials are good quality then it will normally be “noticeable” but not so much that it makes a major difference in the feel and performance of the mattress although again this is all somewhat subjective so different people may have different experiences on the same mattress. If someone gets a mattress “just right” when it is new the it should still be well inside the range of being “just right” after it breaks in but if someone buys a mattress that is right “on the edge” of being too soft when it is new then even a relatively amount of softening can sometimes take them outside the comfort/support range that is suitable for them in terms of PPP (see post #2 here).

It’s always a good idea to rotate a mattress on a regular schedule (see post #2 here).

Phoenix