When in doubt, ask a pediatrician or an occupational therapist to determine whether a weighted blanket is appropriate for your child. For children 7 and younger, take off the blanket once they’re asleep, especially if they tend to get wrapped up in their covers, said May-Benson. And don’t leave small children alone with a weighted blanket.
It’s always worth paying special attention to a blanket’s seams to make sure that nothing is leaking.
They’re also not a good choice for kids who like to chew on things. Weighted blankets shouldn’t be used with infants, or, according to many experts, with kids who are under age 5 or less than 50 pounds. “Ten percent of a kid’s weight is a general guideline and a good place to start, but you may have to play around with that,” said occupational therapist Teresa May-Benson, who was the executive director of the Spiral Foundation at OTA The Koomar Center in Newton, Massachusetts, at the time of our interview. And keep in mind that many experts don’t recommend weighted blankets for children who are under age 5 or weigh less than 50 pounds.Īs for the appropriate weight of a weighted blanket for kids, there are no hard-and-fast rules. If you have respiratory problems or joint issues, or if you feel claustrophobic or hot under heavy bedding, you’re better off sitting out this trend.
The science is squishy, but if you find the sensation of lounging under a pile of blankets or an X-ray smock relaxing, a weighted blanket might be worth considering. Initially designed as therapeutic tools for people with autism, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress and sensory disorders, weighted blankets are now gracing the couches and bedrooms of folks who simply like the feel of them. We tested 16 weighted blankets by chilling out under them, heaving them into the wash, and hauling them out of the machine to dry-and we found five that are notably comfortable, solidly constructed, and easy to care for. It’s hard to say which weighted blanket (if any) is the best, because one person’s “gentle pressure” is another’s “Help, I’m trapped!” But quality and washability are good starting points. When neither is available, there’s the weighted blanket-a heavier-than-usual throw or comforter that’s meant to wrap the body in a soothing embrace. Sometimes you just want a hug-or, at the very least, a big, fluffy cat to curl up in your lap.
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