Help! We had a Brooklyn Bedding soft mattress that was over 10 years old, so it needed replacing. Went down a rabbit hole looking for a new one and purchased a Saatva RX, that was a totally different feel-hard-so we decided to order another Brooklyn Bedding, soft. We’ve been going back and forth and both my husband and I are side sleepers, both our arms get numb with the BB, doesn’t happen with the Saatva, but my hips hurt on that one. I’m not sure the Saatva is “the one”, Please anyone that has any suggestions, help! Thank you
1 Like
Hi chgoldens7.
One of the first things you will notice that is hard to evaluate one’s situation, without some vital information. It is helpful to know what mattress, firmness level, age range, height, and weight of each sleeper. How long you tried the new mattresses. Which mattress you had before. I have 3 BB mattresses, 1 is our main mattress, the other two are guest room mattresses. Of the two guest room mattresses, one of them would be appropriate for us as an every day mattress while the other guest room mattress would be more geared to an occasional mattress, hence, a guest mattress.
Thanks,
Maverick
We got the BB Aurora Luxe in Soft. I’m 5’2" 125lbs, hubby is 6’2" 165lbs. The BB we had before I really don’t remember which one but it was also a soft. Both Saatva and BB sent us a mattress topper, the Saatva one was a bit better, the BB one wasn’t.
1 Like
Hi again,
I can see how, after using a soft mattress, the Saatva might not be a good match. Despite Saatva rating it a 3-4, independent reviews and the mattress’s construction suggest it may not feel as soft as advertised.
Typically, the toppers that companies send to soften their mattresses are lower-quality, such as 2.5" memory foam or similar with lower-density foam. While companies may offer higher-quality options on their websites, the ones they provide are often not sufficient for effective softening.
Regarding the numbness in your arms, this can stem from a few factors, especially as side sleepers. One possibility is pressure on the nerves, such as a pinched nerve. When side sleeping, especially on a mattress that’s too soft, your body might sink too deeply, putting excessive pressure on the nerves in your shoulder or arm. This compression can lead to numbness or tingling (paresthesia). This is more common with soft mattresses that don’t offer enough resistance or proper alignment. Many people mistakenly believe they’ve found their comfort firmness zone, but they may not be getting the right support. The Aurora is a nice mattress, but the soft pillow top adds nearly 5" of soft layers above the spring support. Without the pillow top, it’s 3" of softer layers, which might not provide enough firmness.
Another factor is poor spinal alignment. If your spine isn’t aligned properly, it can affect the nerves in your shoulders and arms. A mattress that doesn’t support the shoulders and hips evenly can cause your body to bend into unnatural positions, impinging the nerves. If the BB Aurora Luxe Soft isn’t providing enough support for your shoulder or hip, your body might sink unevenly, creating pressure on the arms.
To check for misalignment, try lying on your side for 20 minutes and have your significant other take a picture of your posture. Look for any signs of misalignment.
A lack of proper cushioning or support could also be contributing to the numbness. A mattress that’s too soft might not support heavier pressure areas like the shoulder. Side sleeping places most of the weight on your shoulder, and if the mattress doesn’t support it well, you may sink too deeply, restricting circulation in your arms. It’s important for a mattress to balance comfort and support — too much softness without enough resistance can lead to numbness.
Tension in the upper body could also play a role. Tight muscles, especially in the shoulders and upper back, can exacerbate nerve compression and cause numbness or tingling. Stress or poor posture during the day may carry over into sleep and worsen the numbness. If the mattress forces you into a position that restricts blood flow, this could also result in numbness in the arms.
To resolve this, you might consider trying a firmer mattress with a better support layer and a medium comfort layer, as your current mattress may not be providing enough support. A firmer mattress with a medium-firm topper could help relieve nerve compression. Additionally, adjusting your sleep position can make a difference. As a side sleeper, I place a pillow adjacent to my body lengthwise and rest my arm on top of it. This helps maintain alignment and reduces pressure, it also rotates my body in an upward position, rather than allowing my lower shoulder to dig into the mattress on an angle. Avoid overextending your arm under your head or body, and consider using a pillow that properly supports your neck and shoulders.
This may take some trial and error to find the ideal position. Proper pillow loft and body rotation when sleeping on your side can make a huge difference in maintaining better posture and relieving pressure. For my wife and me, resting our arms on a pillow has been key to comfort and pressure relief.
Maverick
Thank you for your reply! Are there other mattresses we could look at?
1 Like
If you liked the Aurora but it was a little too soft, You may want to look at the BB Titan Plus Elite. A slightly better support spring layer, with micro coils in the comfort layer to maintain a cooler profile. I would not worry about the fact they state it is for plus sized. The comfort layer is quite nice for side sleepers.
A couple of other options might be the DLX premier hybrid in soft for you, and medium for the hubby in a split internal king or queen. Engineered Sleep can create something similar.
Naturally, there are quite a few mattresses that will do you justice. If you like 3z brands, the Elite series by Helix is another nice option. If you buy from an authorized independent dealer, they can split the comfort layer in a king for you.
When evaluating the Saatva mattress, it’s important to consider the quality and purpose of the materials used in construction. While the model in this video is not the exact version you’re looking at, it still provides valuable insight into the build. Around the 7-minute mark, Spencer pulls back the cover to reveal a thin piece of foam that is described as the lumbar support. This feature is key to understanding the mattress’s construction.
For further clarification, another video highlights the same lumbar support foam, with a similar explanation around the 6:30 mark. When evaluating a mattress, it’s worth considering whether companies are using components with a clear, functional purpose or simply adding features for marketing purposes. This kind of insight can help you make a more informed decision.
Hopefully this helps,
Maverick