Weighted Blankets
A few months ago I decided to get Little Girl a weighted blanket. She would pop up and down for a solid hour after tuck in. Back and forth my husband and I would go. Sleep has always been an issue with her so I knew I had to get something that would help and a weighted blanket did just the trick.
What is a weighted blanket?
Weighted blankets are blankets lined with evenly distributed weight. The weight varies based on who the intended user is and the size of the blanket. This special type of blanket is designed to be warm and to provide gentle pressure to a person, mimicking the feeling of being held. The sensation may have a positive effect on people’s moods.
These blankets can help reduce anxiety in both children and adults. They’re typically safe to use. They help many people achieve a relaxed state, allowing them to sleep more deeply. Weighted blankets help ground your body during sleep by pushing it downwards. This process, known as “earthing” or “grounding,” may have a deeply calming effect.
Deep Touch Pressure
The underlying science on weighted blankets is called deep touch pressure. DTP is about gently applying pressure to the body to increase the release of serotonin which is a chemical in the body that promotes relaxation. What is interesting is that children with autism also tend to be low in serotonin, along with those who have depression, anxiety, aggression, OCD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. This could be why the effect is much more profound on children with autism, even though deep touch pressure works for most people.
Not all blankets are alike!
Not all blankets are alike. It is not a one size fits all! There are guidelines to follow when deciding on a blanket.
I know some crafty people out there can whip this up in a heartbeat but I outsourced! I contacted a local friend over at Little Lilac Tree and spoke with her about what I was looking for. She asked me a few questions regarding patterns and size. I shared how Little Girl loves unicorns, fairies and all things frilly. She came back a few days later with some samples. She showed me two.
I fell in love with the first one and told her to go to work! She reached out to me 3 days later saying the blanket was done and she dropped it off. It was not what I was expecting. The blanket was smaller than I thought but very heavy in the bag. Having no experience I was not sure what I was thinking would arrive. I was really excited to try it.
In action…
That night we did our usual bedtime routine. Teeth. Stories. Bible. Prayer. Songs. Last snuggles and kisses. Out the door, I go. Not a peep. Now being the skeptic I am I chalked it up to the excitement of the new blanket.
Next night. Same routine for bed. Out the door, I go. I lay there waiting for the “MOM” yell that I knew would be coming. Except it did not come. Not that night. Not the next night. We have used the blanket for several months and I can honestly say her popping up has almost stopped. On the nights my husband does bedtime routine it is the same thing. Once she is down she is down for the night. On a side note, there are some nights when she will ask for an extra book or two to read herself to sleep. I allow this and she knows she will need to tuck herself in when she is ready. When my husband or myself go in to check on her she will have herself snuggled under her weighted blanket and be sound asleep.
This got me thinking…this is the same reason I have a down comforter on my bed all through the summer with the AC on. I love the weight. I think it may be time for me to get my own!
If you have a little one with sleep issues or even you yourself struggle you may want to try a weighted blanket. To contact Little Lilac Tree for an order she can be reached at [email protected].
~~~~~This is not a sponsored post nor was I paid for this review. I bought the blanket and my review is my personal opinion. If in doubt about using a weighted blanket with your child check with your pediatrician for more information.~~~~
Never knew weighted blankets was a thing that existed , this could be very useful , thanks !
Great that they were helpful , i could use them myself
Looks amazing, it shows real craftsmanship .
Wow, I’ve never seen as much information about weighted blankets before. I love your choice of fabric. I kind of stumbled into this when I made a quilted duvet cover, and by the time I was done it was very heavy. By the time I added the duvet, it was is so heavy it is hard to move. I haven’t weighed it yet and it is still folded at the bottom of the bed, I have bought new bedding from mattress cover, etc., before I finish making it all up. It is amazing to see how good it works!
You will have to report back!
I had never heard of weighted blankets before! What a great idea.
#TheFridayLinky
They started out for kids on the spectrum but many soon realized it is not only children on the spectrum that could benefit. Further studies were done and many of the benefits can be transferred to just about anyone. Check it out!
I really want a weighted blanket, but funds at the moment. So I have my quilt, throw and two sleeping bags haha. I just like the caccoon and secure when I am really anxious X #thatfridaylinky
I just learned something new today! Weighted blankets sound wonderful and I wonder if they will help keep my own children asleep. Neither are autistic but my youngest tends to wake up in the middle of the night. #Blogcrush
Oooh yes I’ve thought about getting my 3 weighted blankets and this post had definitely motivated me! Thanks for the honest and very informative review. #thesatsesh xx
#thesatsesh Its one of my first recommendations for my girls who have anxiety – that an a clear night time routine. I think they are a miracle and if I’m right, I thinks its much like a happy baby who is swaddled?
Lovely post, and great to hear that your weighted blanket is working so well for your daughter!
We’ve got a weighted blanket too, for our (autistic) son. Though I think I like it slightly more than he does! Still, although it doesn’t seem to help him very much when it comes to falling asleep in the evening (or at midnight…), it has worked quite well for settling him back to sleep if he’s woken up during the night.
Best wishes to you and your family for Christmas, and may the new year be happy and include plenty of peaceful sleeps! x #thesatsesh
I have been curious about these blankets. I think one would help me get a better nights sleep.
I have seen these blankets but wondered if they were helpful. I’m glad to know that they are. This would be great for my granddaughter and her falling asleep issues.
I’ve heard of weighted blankets and I always wanted to try one. This post convinced me to check one out!
Nice article and I seriously need a blanket now…its so cold here…. Good luck and keep working…
Actually I’ve never heard of weighted blankets before. But now I feel like getting one as gift for my naughty niece. Thanks for sharing the information.
I literally just heard of this and here we are! Super informative and honestly, I would never know there are different weights for different size people. So helpful.
I keep going back and forth on if I want to purchase one of these. I do have insomnia.
Oh! Never knew about such blankets. Looking at the pros I can say they are smart blankets. I will definitely try. Thank you.
Waoo I should definitely give it a try.. my baby might sleep in his bed with a weighted blanket.
I love weighted blankets! I am so glad that you provided the correct weights for children, because I have seen way too many posts of parents with their kids laying under an adult sized weighted blanket. Thank you for being informative.
[…] second Mix Master post this week comes from View From The Beach Chair. An interesting post on Weighted Blankets, as someone who has great trouble sleeping these are something I’ve often […]
So happy this blanket works wonders with your princess!
There’s definitely something in having the weight there – sounds like it’s blissfully working too. Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo – and that fabric is just gorgeous!
Sounds like a neat product, been very popular lately.. since the past year.. I’ve been hearing about weighted blankets more