Any kids out there who use a weighted blanket? My youngest DD who is 17 months has one that we had made by a company in Montana who specializes in this. I got to choose the fabric from thousands of choices and ended up with a flannel on one side and a ultra soft fleece on the other. All my DDs love it. So I talk to the OT and psychiatrist about getting weight appropriate ones for my 10 & 3 yr old and I got our managed mental health care plan to pay for them because our regular insurance wouldn't. Because the are made especially for each individual child the cost is a little higher but I feel that they are nicer and will get more use this way. Besides the money isn't coming out of my pocket this time.

The one we had made for our youngest seems to be very warm and is fine for winter time but come summer I worry. I'm looking for fabric combination recommendations. I'm thinking one side will be either flannel or the ultra soft fleece because of the softness but I was also thinking a knit or 100% cotton for the top of the blanket. I'm not sure how durable either would be. These are machine washable blankets because they are made with poly pellets. And will be passed down between my girls so I want a durable fabric. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sorry I can't help, but what is the purpose of the weighted blanket? Who is it for?

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Hi Carol and Momof4girls,

The blanket is for the sensory issues. There is a school of thought that the weight is has a calming and comforting effect on the child because it is weighted and is like a nice warm hug! The child is then able to take in learning tasks better because the sensory is being met.

As for summer fabrics, try to stay away from synthetics because the don't allow the skin to breath. Flannel is always nice but make sure it is high thread count to hold up and stay warm. I like itchy wool on my skin but I am weird. I would think that most natural fabrics will be good for summer and winter.

I hope they help and the results are good. April

Desertmom 3 of my girls have officially been diagnosed with sensory issues. My 16, my 3 & 1 yr olds. My 10 yr old has severe anxiety issues that we have reverted to zoloft to help control. My 1 yr old has 2 weighted blankets, a weighted vest and a weighted lap animal. My 1 yr old has always had self calming issues which led us to the world of sensory issues. She wears the weighted vest when things start to overwhelm her and she now on her own bring the visit to either DH or I to wear. She wears it for 10 -15 minutes and then she takes it off. The weighted lap animal we use when we are reading books or just sitting on the floor playing. The blanket helps her fall asleep or if that doesn't help we lay it on her after she is sleeping. It helps with her restless sleeping and she tends to sleep longer which leads to a happy baby. My 3 year old also has sensory issues and we have found that heavy work or playing with wrist or ankle weights are really calming and help my 3 yr old focus more. She also has central sleep apnea which there is nothing at this point we can do about. The weighted blanket helps her sleep more soundly, she can on her own go back to sleep after an apnea spell and she also is less restless during the night. I'm also getting a weighted blnaket for my 10 yr old because she says it just makes her feel better inside. My understanding is the blanket feels like a big hug. It also makes her less anxiety prone and our hope is between the meds, counseling, the weighted blanket, swinging and a few other things we can once again gether anxiety monster under control.
Each blanket is made especially for the child based on their weight and what feels best to them. I myself hate the weighted blankets they give me the creeps and make me feel closterphobic (sp?) but right now I will do everything in my power to make life better and easier for my DDs and especially for myself. I fiqure just because I don't understand it doesn't mean it doesn't work. I've read a ton on sensory and it's such a fasinating subject it puts a whole new perspective on kids and there behaviors.

Thank you for the info! It sounds like something that could have made all our lives easier when ds was younger. We have found that on top of his sensory issues, he has anxiety issues. Do you know where I can find out more? Thanks!

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When DS was a lot younger he had one, I think it was a knit type material , similar to a heavy T-shirt fabric. it didn't get that hot, we live in FL so it had to be cool fabric...His sensory issues were among the first things to improve so we didn't use it that long.

My daughter is severly sensory. I never did the weighted blanket thing because i could never find one. But these are two of the things I have found that work best on my daughter. Bubbles! You get a big jar of container as big as you can find and put some water with soap and have them blow till they fill it. With or with out weighted bean bags on their feet. The other thing is a trampoline. Have them jump on it for about 15 min before bed. It works not immediatly but it will calm them has something to do with all the pressure. My daughters therapist recommended it!

Kelly

Thanks Azuresky for the advice unfortunately my youngest 2 like to drink bubbles So we have to be very careful with that. And we do have a minitrampoline for my DDs to use and boy do they use it. Especially on bad weather days. Although my 3 yr old has gotten very dangerous with the trampoline she likes to jump off of it and land on a bunch of pillows if they are close but she also like to just jump right off and land on the floor. I'm dreading the day we break a bone. We actually know that the weighted blankets some how help them get a better night's sleep which in turn leads to an easier day for everyone.