Top-notch Weighted Blankets Tailored for Children's Peaceful Rest
Weighted blankets have gained popularity as a tool to help children with sleep disorders, anxiety, and sensory processing issues. However, it's essential to use them responsibly and choose the right product for your child. Here's a guide to help you navigate the world of weighted blankets for children.
Choosing the Right Weight
For children, weighted blankets typically range from 5 to 7 pounds, which is approximately 10% of the child's body weight, adjusted lighter for children. This lighter weight range is suggested for safety and comfort, and use under adult supervision is advised for children.
For children weighing 40–60 lbs, a 5–7 lb weighted blanket is recommended. It's important that children are able to move the blanket independently to ensure safety.
Selecting the Right Size
The blanket size for children should be a personal-sized or child-appropriate blanket that fits their body rather than the bed, to avoid excess weight and uneven pressure.
Safety Considerations
Children under 1 year should not sleep with weighted blankets due to the risk of suffocation. Additionally, weighted blankets are unsuitable for young children who cannot remove the blanket by themselves.
It's crucial that a child can get out from under the blanket easily during the night, and it should not be so heavy that they find it difficult to move underneath it. If a weighted blanket is too heavy, a person can feel hot, claustrophobic, and uncomfortable. Weighted blankets that are too heavy can be dangerous for children.
Therapeutic Uses
Weighted blankets can provide deep touch pressure, which may have a calming effect on some children. They may be used to help with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and sensory overload.
Popular Weighted Blankets for Children
The Southpaw Weighted Blanket
The Southpaw Weighted Blanket features a nontoxic steel shot between outer layers to weight the entire blanket. It comes in various sizes and weights, starting from 3 lb, and provides special input for the whole body, creating a calming effect.
The Bedsure Weighted Blanket for Children
The Bedsure Weighted Blanket for Children is best for older children. It uses nontoxic, odorless glass beads to add weight and is suitable for year-round use due to its lightweight, moisture-wicking, and breathable fabric.
The SensaCalm Custom Weighted Blanket
The SensaCalm Custom Weighted Blanket offers custom weights and designs. It consists of 100% cotton or eco-friendly, waterproof polyester laminated fabric (PUL). SensaCalm Custom Weighted Blanket recommends blanket weights depending on the weight of the child.
The Sensory Bed Sheet for Kids
The Sensory Bed Sheet for Kids is a weighted sheet option. It's made of a nylon and spandex blend and hooks over a mattress like a fitted sheet, with an open end for a child to slide into. It's available in twin, full, or queen size and provides deep touch pressure and proprioceptive input.
The Harkla Kids Weighted Blanket
The Harkla Kids Weighted Blanket has a soft, textured fabric for sensory input. Some individuals find weighted blankets too warm. Those who live in hot climates or children who tend to get too warm during sleep may not find a weighted blanket comfortable.
The YNM Kids Weighted Blanket
The YNM Kids Weighted Blanket uses small pockets for beads to ensure even weight distribution. SensaCalm Custom Weighted Blanket offers 70 different fabric colours and designs.
The Mosaic Coolmax Weighted Blanket
The Mosaic Coolmax Weighted Blanket is suitable for children who sleep hot.
Important Considerations
Children with sleep apnea, asthma, claustrophobia, or problems with mobility should not use weighted blankets. If you're unsure whether a weighted blanket is suitable for your child, it's always a good idea to discuss it with a healthcare professional.
The Southpaw Weighted Blanket is best for use in therapy, while the Sensory Bed Sheet for Kids is suitable for everyday use. The costs of the products vary, with the Southpaw Weighted Blanket ranging from $91 to $380 and the Sensory Bed Sheet for Kids costing $34.99-44.99.
The Sensory Bed Sheet for Kids is unsuitable for children under 3 years, and the SensaCalm Custom Weighted Blanket is not recommended for infants under 1 year.
In conclusion, weighted blankets can be a useful tool for children with sleep disorders, anxiety, and sensory processing issues. However, it's essential to choose the right product, weight, and size, and to use them responsibly, under adult supervision, and with the guidance of a healthcare professional.
- For children with sleep disorders, anxiety, or sensory processing issues, weighted blankets like the Southpaw Weighted Blanket, Bedsure Weighted Blanket for Children, SensaCalm Custom Weighted Blanket, Sensory Bed Sheet for Kids, Harkla Kids Weighted Blanket, YNM Kids Weighted Blanket, and Mosaic Coolmax Weighted Blanket may provide a calming effect, potentially aiding conditions such as autism spectrum disorder.
- When choosing a weighted blanket for a child, it's important to consider the product's weight, size, and safety features, such as the child's ability to move the blanket independently and the blanket's fit to avoid excess weight and uneven pressure.
- For children weighing 40–60 lbs, a 5–7 lb weighted blanket is recommended, and children under 1 year should not sleep with weighted blankets due to the risk of suffocation.
- In addition, it's crucial to ensure the blanket is not too heavy for a child, as weighted blankets that are too heavy can cause discomfort, feelings of being hot and claustrophobic, and potentially be dangerous.
- A child's personal growth, mental health, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, education-and-self-development, and career-development could all potential benefit from improved sleep quality, making a weighted blanket an investment in their long-term well-being.
- Some children with sleep apnea, asthma, claustrophobia, or problems with mobility may not find weighted blankets suitable, so it's always a good idea to discuss their potential use with a healthcare professional.
- Weighted blankets can serve different purposes; while the Southpaw Weighted Blanket may be more suited for therapy, the Sensory Bed Sheet for Kids could be an everyday solution for children over 3 years old.
- It's essential to note that while weighted blankets can offer potential benefits for children, careful consideration of the product, weight, size, and supervision are crucial to ensure their safety and effectiveness in promoting better sleep and relieving anxiety.
