Weighted blankets aka gravity/heavy blankets are designed to calm and soothe the mind. In conjunction with a good night’s sleep, weighted blankets can help individuals improve their concentration for the next day. If you want to know more about weighted blankets and how they work in more detail, check out our articles what is a weighted blanket? and Best Weighted blankets for adults reviews.
Can you use a weighted blanket for kids?
Yes. Kids can use a weighted blanket. Weighted blankets are considered safe for most children who weigh more than 50 pounds and are over 3 years of age, as long as the blanket is an appropriate size and weight. We recommend that you speak with your child’s doctor before using a weighted blanket. Some manufacturers warn against using their quilts on infants and toddlers. In reality, with a few exceptions, most producers design their blankets specifically for older children, teenagers, and adults.
Are weighted blankets safe for kids?
Yes. When used correctly kids can safely use weighted blanket. Selecting the correct size and weight of the blanket is key, as well as ensuring that it is not placed on top of the child’s face or wrapped tightly around them.
Your perfectly Weighted blankets aka gravity/heavy blankets are designed to calm and soothe the mind. In conjunction with a good night’s sleep, weighted blankets can help individuals improve their concentration for the next day. If you want to know more about weighted blankets and how they work in more detail, check out our articles what is a weighted blanket? and Best Weighted blankets for adults reviews.
If you are willing to pay a bit more, you will get a kid’s weighted blanket that is soft, durable and of high quality. Check out our review on the best weighted heavy blankets for kids.
Find out more about using weighted blankets in our comprehensive article Why buy a weighted blanket?
To Note
It is important to note that weighted blankets do not work for everyone. Some people find them uncomfortable while others find it difficult to get out from under them. Even if you decide weighted blankets are not for you, it is important to try another solution. It may be that weighted blankets just aren’t the right blanket for your child. However, if no other approach has worked then weighted blankets are worth a try.
Can a Child Have a Weighted Blanket?
In the same way that adults can use a weighted blanket, kids can also use them. A weighted blanket for kids is especially useful for children who have trouble sleeping. If your child is having trouble sleeping, getting kids weighted blankets could just be the answer you’ve been looking for! The gentle pressure of the fabric can help to relax the mind and ease the body into a deep sleep.
Can a Baby Have a Weighted Blanket?
No. A baby should not use a blanket that is weighted. An average blanket in general can be a safety hazard for babies, so increasing the blanket weight would pose an even greater risk. These types of blankets are not recommended for children under 2 years of age.
Age Limits
Kids under a certain age should not utilise a weighted blanket during the night due to the risk of suffocation. A baby or toddler under 2 years old shouldn’t be utilising a weighted blanket.
How Does A Weighted Blanket Work?
Deep Pressure Stimulation
Weighted Blankets work by exerting a bit of pressure on the body while you sleep. This pressure helps to calm the nervous system, and release tension and stress. Restless toddlers over 2-3 years old can benefit from this.
Effects
The effect of the pressure can be quite therapeutic. It’s been described as a hug throughout the night. This hug sensation induces a sense of comfort and security that can help your child sleep well.
What Does a Weighted Blanket Feel Like?
Weighted blankets feel slightly heavier than regular blankets, but for most, it’s a comfortable feeling. The weight exerts a soothing pressure on the body. Many describe the sensation as being given a hug. Once you snuggle into the blanket, it’s easy to forget it is there. It feels like a normal blanket, but with a lot of extras.
Benefits of Using a Weighted Blanket for Kids
There are many pluses to using a gravity blanket.
- They improve sleep patterns and can reduce the occurence of night terrors.
- They provide deep pressure touch stimulation which has a calming effect on the nervous system.
- They provide a sense of security and can be used as a method of calming anxiety.
- Weighted Blankets are an excellent non-pharmacological intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder.
- They can help to reduce fidgeting and improve concentration in children with ADHD.
How do you know if your child needs a weighted blanket?
Here are some factors to consider when assessing whether a weighted blanket may be beneficial for your child. Does you child
- Enjoy sleeping or reclining under a nest of blankets or comforters?
- Get fidgety or agitated when asleep?
- Loves exploring narrow passageways and hiding behind furniture.
- Suffer from insomnia or have difficulty sleeping?
- Like to rough play and occasionally runs into things on purpose; he or she is constantly jumping onto things?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then your child may benefit from using a weighted blanket as a sleep aid.
Kids respond differently to different stimuli when they sleep. Some kids sleep best under a sheet made of silk, while others simply toss and turn when there is any weight on their chest.
How Much Weight Should a Child’s Weighted Blanket Have?
Once you have decided that gravity blankets are worth trying, it will be important to make the right decision as far as weight goes. You want your child to wear something heavy enough to promote relaxation and comfort. However, you do not want their blanket so heavy as to be a burden to them or cause discomfort.
The ideal weight for a blanket will vary depending on a kid’s height and weight. Use this chart as an estimate:
If a child’s height is 4’5 children”-5’4″ use 5-7% of their body weight.
For 5’4 children”-5’11” use 7-10% of their body weight.
For children who are 5’9″ and taller use 10% plus 2 pounds for every inch over 5 feet.
More Benefits of Weighted Blankets for Children
You may or may not find that using a gravity blanket will affect your child. They are said to help with sleeping, concentration and motor activity. However, these results can vary from child to child.
Emotional Development
The blanket also improves brain development as it provides the right amount of pressure and sensory inputs to an infant during sleep which can cause a child to grow into a more emotionally balanced one by the time he/she reaches adulthood. They become less irritable and more responsive, with better communication skills.
Concentration and Focus
Gravity blankets for school-aged kids are said to help with concentration and focus. There is also the possibility that the child may suffer from anxiety, depression or other mental health issues such as ADHD. Like adults, kids can benefit from the extra input of pressure and the ability to relax.
Better Sleep
Gravity blankets for kids are said to be beneficial when it comes to helping them sleep better at night. The pressure that a gravity blanket provides is said to soothe kids who might suffer from anxiety or have trouble calming their minds. By using a weighted blanket, your child can overcome sleep-related problems and enjoy a better night’s rest.
Motor Skills and Sensory Stimulation
A weighted blanket, whether for kids or adults, assists with sensory stimulation due to the weight and pressure it provides. This is especially important for kids suffering from neurological issues. Gravity blankets can help calm their brain activity as well as help them learn better motor skills.
Benefits of Weighted Blankets For Kids With ADHD
ADHD is a common condition of the brain which affects several million children and adults in America alone. It is a behavioural disorder that makes it difficult for those suffering from it to control their impulses, pay attention and sit still.
Temperature Regulation
A weighted blanket can help people with ADHD relax and fall asleep faster through deep touch pressure – something that all people need as a form of therapy. Gravity blankets also keep the body warm, which is important as people with ADHD often have a difficult time regulating their own body temperature.
Relaxation
The main reason why gravity blankets have become so popular is that children with ADHD can benefit from deep pressure stimulation during sleep. This helps them relax as well as trains their body to fall asleep more easily. More and more parents of children with this disorder are starting to use a weighted blanket regularly to improve their condition.
Benefits of Weighted Blankets For Kids With Anxiety
For some people, anxiety manifests itself physically. It can cause a host of uncomfortable symptoms including pins and needles, numbness, headaches or muscle spasms – even stomach discomfort. The weighted blanket can provide the necessary amount of pressure to help alleviate these symptoms.
Soothing Sensation
For other kids, anxiety may cause mental issues such as constant worry or fear which affects their ability to fall asleep or concentrate during the day. A weighted blanket for children can provide them with a soothing sense that will enable them to relax and get a good night’s rest.
Benefits of Weighted Blankets For Kids With Sensory Processing Disorder
One of the common signs of a child with sensory processing disorder is attention deficit. This can be caused by an over-or underreaction to an external stimulus which causes difficulties in focusing during certain tasks. A weighted blanket provides deep pressure input which actually helps children improve their focus on what they’re doing.
Benefits of Weighted Blankets for Kids With Autism
A weighted blanket may be used to help children with autism by helping them calm down when they have an anxiety attack or episode. It is believed that the extra weight provides pressure to their bodies which helps relieve some of their anxiety. The right pressure encourages the release of chemicals in the brain that helps them relax and sleep better at night.
Do Weighted Blankets Help Kids Get To Sleep?
Many parents say that gravity blankets have helped their children sleep better at night. The compression of the blanket can help calm a disturbed or distracted child. This means your child won’t be so easily distracted by outside noises or other people. It also will decrease the level of anxiety and stress caused by these things, which can make it easier for your child to sleep.
He may also feel more secure in his bed when he has a gravity blanket because it gives him the sensation of being hugged, which is something that many kids with autism miss out on. This can be especially helpful for children who have been through a lot during their day or those who are dealing with separation anxiety issues.
How to Choose a Weighted Blanket for Kids
If you’ve decided that using a weighted blanket is worth trying, how do you choose one? As with adults, it is not wise to buy just any old blanket. These blankets should be specifically made for children and have the right amount of weight as well as a safe cover.
What is the Best Weighted Blanket for Kids?
Materials
There are two types of covers worth mentioning which are fleece and cotton. Fleece is recommended because it helps retain body heat better than other fabrics would, especially when bought with an additional weighted liner inside.
Be sure to choose a weighted blanket that is not too heavy. Exerting too much pressure can be harmful to your child. Use weight charts to determine the right weight as far as the percentage of body weight goes.
How Much Do the Best Weighted Blankets Weigh?
If you are considering giving a weighted blanket to your preschooler or younger child, buy one with more pounds than what he would normally weigh.
For example, a four-year-old who weighs 60 pounds could have a weighted blanket that has 80-100 lbs. of weight inside it. Make sure the blanket is not too heavy for him to lift or carry around comfortably.
Is it Bad For Kids To Have A Weighted Blanket?
Offering a weighted blanket to your child is not harmful if you choose the right weight and size for their body. However, some experts argue against it because they believe it will only add to the sensory overload that many children with autism feel.
To them, kids with autism have enough trouble regulating their feelings because of their disorder. Adding a blanket that is weighted may make it harder for them to calm down and become regulated. It’s important to know all the facts about using weight as part of therapy. Then you can make an informed decision on what’s best for your child.
Safety Concerns about Weighted Blankets for Kids
Keep an eye out for any changes in your child’s behaviour while using the blanket. If you notice that he becomes irritable, irritates easily or develops other changes in his normal personality, discontinue the use of the weighted blanket immediately.
For some children using a weighted blanket will help with sleeping and concentration. The effects are less desirable for others and can include a decrease in activity level, an increase in crying, and sweating. When you’re working with your child pay attention to how he is reacting to being under the blanket. If you see negative results try using a different weight or taking the blanket away from your child.
Weighted Blanket Maintainance and Care
Determine how long your child would like to use the weighted blanket. Each time you wash it, there is a chance that the weight will be lessened. Plan on replacing it once every six months. You may also want to consider getting two blankets; one that you can use for half a year and another that you can use later on.
Washing
If a blanket comes with a removable cover, then the cover can be machine washed without problems. The blanket may not be machine washable, but the cover will be. In any case, it’s always best to choose a machine-washable blanket for children.
Replacing the Blanket
You should change your child’s weighted blanket if it has become too worn out to effectively provide pressure. The cover may also need replacing after a certain time period. Again, use the weight chart to determine how much your blanket weighs.
What Should the Best Weighted Blankets For Kids Have?
To help your child have a good night’s sleep, the blanket you choose needs to tick a few boxes.
Fabric
The best weighted blankets are made from 100 % cotton/bamboo or other materials that are cooling and hypo allergenic. The material needs to be soft and non-toxic. Choosing a soft material is going to really help your baby/toddler/child have less trouble sleeping.
Size
The size of the weighted blankets should correspond to your child’s height. Make sure that there is a decent amount of length/width for him/her to stretch out in comfort. The blanket needs to be able to fit snuggly around your child without being too loose or cold.
Weight
Again, you need to buy a weighted blanket that is appropriate for your child’s size and weight. If the blanket is too heavy, it can cause serious harm to your child. Make sure that you follow established weight guidelines when choosing a blanket. The blanket must be appropriate for the child’s body weight.
Filling
The best weighted blanket fillings tend to be glass beads. This is because glass beads don’t tend to get clustered together. That allows for more even weight distribution.
However, non-toxic beads, poly pellets or plastic pellets are also fine. If the blanket is machine washable, the glass beads won’t clump whereas there’s no guarantee for some of the other pellets. The best weighted blanket fillings are evenly distributed and have an even weight distribution.
Price
You can find inexpensive blankets, using brands such as Ikea and Orbeez for under £30. These are going to be much smaller in size than other blankets, but they still have weight inside that many children need and like. They can also double as a play mat for your child.
If you want something bigger or more durable, then plan on spending over £100 on a good quality blanket. These tend to be made from 100 % cotton or another breathable material. The weights inside will likely be glass beads. These beads help the kids weighted blanket stay evenly distributed.
Important Things To Keep in Mind
Weighted Blankets for children need to tick several boxes to ensure the safety and comfort of your little one. A kids weighted blanket should have a cover, this way you could wash it regularly if need be. The weight of the cover and the weights inside the blanket need to be appropriate for the child’s body weight and size.
A blanket for kids needs to be made out of soft, good quality material. The cover should also be cotton or something similar. The quality of the weights used for filling also needs to be considered.
The price will depend on the size and weight of the gravity blanket. If you want a blanket that covers the entire bed, it will have a higher price. Bear in mind, the gravity blanket doesn’t need to cover the bed. If it’s as big as the bed, some kids find this uncomfortable. So long as the blanket is bigger than your child’s size, it should be fine.
The best weighted blanket will tick all those boxes. That way it can be effective at calming your kid’s nervous system as they fall asleep.ptimized content goes here!
The best weighted blanket will tick all those boxes. That way it can be effective at calming your kid’s nervous system as they fall asleep.