Weighted Blanket

In it’s simplest form, a weighted blanket is just that: a blanket that is intentionally heavier than a standard blanket.

Do you remember sleeping under your great-grandma’s quilt and how the heaviness of it felt comforting? It’s kinda like that.

The deep pressure sensation of a weighted blanket covering the body is like a massage, and has been described by some to be like “a big hug”. The deep pressure is relaxing and calming, which is especially useful for sleep. Special attention is paid to the texture of the blanket for those who are particularly touch-sensitive.

Weighted blankets first gained their popularity among children and adults with sensory processing disorder (SPD). A person can have SPD alone or alongside other diagnoses.

Additionally, weighted blankets have been helpful for those affected by chronic pain such as fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome. The use of a weighted blanket is an excellent coping strategy for decreasing stress, increasing focused thought, and combating cravings for those who live with depression, mania, anxiety, psychosis, paranoia, trauma or who are undergoing detoxification.

One person describes our senses (sound, taste, touch, smell, vision, proprioceptive, and vestibular) as being like cups — some of us have big cups and some of us have small cups, and we can have big cups and small cups in different senses at the same time. When our cup is large, we can’t get enough stimulation or input, and continue to seek that input. When our cup is small, we are easily overwhelmed by that input and can react to that very strongly. One of the things that an occupational therapist will do is work with someone to help them find the input they are seeking and/or help them grow their ability to handle stimulation that overwhelms them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1G5ssZlVUw

Weighted blankets can be used:

• to help a child make transitions from one activity to another, to avoid or settle down after meltdowns.
• to help a child who has difficulty sitting still for reading or focusing.
• to teach your child appropriate coping strategies, as they learn to manage their emotions.

If a weighted blanket is too large to be appropriate for the setting (like in school) a weighted lap pad is the perfect substitute.

The truth is that adults find them helpful for these kinds of things, too.

• Lap pads for focusing at work.
• Blanket during non-sleeping hours as a coping strategy,
• to avoid or settle after meltdowns (admit it! we have them, too).
• for coping with and working thru emotions associated with a traumatic event and/or PTSD

But the top reason that my customers purchase a weighted blanket is SLEEP. The calming properties, the relaxation, the sense that all is right in the world: all those things promote sleep — getting to sleep, getting to a deep sleep, staying asleep. Kids and adults who have struggled with sleep for years report finally being able to sleep ALL NIGHT after beginning to use a weighted blanket.

Do you or your child pile blankets and pillow on in order to sleep? Do you crave pressure similar to a person laying on top of you but don’t actually want anyone touching you? Does the weight of the dentist’s x-ray apron feel really comforting to you? Then a weighted blanket is what you’re looking for!

If the thought of being under a heavy blanket increases your anxiety or all you can think about is getting it OFF, then a weighted blanket would not be your best option.

Weighted blankets are inappropriate for users who have

• breathing difficulties (like asthma or sleep-apnea),
• difficulty regulating blood pressure,
• fragile skin,
• circulation problems,
• or diabetes.

• Do not use while a child has a skin rash or open wounds.
• Do not use with children under 2yo.
• Use caution using a blanket designed for someone else
• Weighted blankets are not to be used as restraints.

We suggest picking the blanket based on approximately 8% - 15% of your body weight.

This is a misconception about heavy blankets. sSnooze weighted blankets are highly breathable based on premium cotton paddings and micro-sized glass beads. This combination of material and our design allows free air flow, and will regulate your body temperature without heating up. If you would like feel even more warm, please purchase our additional sheets which are made of our ‘short-hair’ minky fabric.

Our  blankets are designed with loops around the edges. If you have your own covers you wish to use that are of the same size, please feel free to use them if you like!  blankets are compatible with most covers (of the same sizing).