I’ve been shopping for a mattress at stores and am getting conflicting information on firmness. I sleep on both my stomach and side (more stomach than side). I’ve been told I need both firm and soft. My experience is that if the mattress is too soft, I wake up with back pain. If the mattress is too firm, I wake up with neck pain. Any suggestions on what I should look for?
Additional information is I have mild degenerative arthritis in my back and I don’t want a “cooling” mattress. I chill easily and weight about 115lbs. I don’t share the mattress with anyone.
Would a hybrid be appropriate? One of the stores is trying to sell me on a Serta Perfect Sleeper Hybrid.
Thank you for any help.
Hi bns2381.
Welcome to our Mattress Forum. 
Sorry to hear about the pains you’re experiencing. As someone who has a flat, but light sleeping profile, I can see where the mixed messages are coming in.
You likely don’t require much in the way of thickness in your comfort layers, as your light frame isn’t going to sink as deeply into said layers. However, because you’re quite light, you may want softer layers that you can easily sink into (when on your side) so that the mattress isn’t creating pressure points.
From our Sleeping Positions article:
With combination sleeping it is usually wise to choose a comfort layer that is a little thinner than your "deepest” sleeping position would normally require (typically side sleeping) and then choose a support layer underneath that helps you to sink in a little extra when you need it
So, probably 2" - 3" in the comfort layer would suffice.
This depends on you, really. Does it feel comfortable when you lay on it? Testing is a great way to gather data points and know what you like, for sure.
Have you tested any other models of mattress, beyond a hybrid?
NikkiTMU
1 Like
