Weighted Blanket

Children with autism, ADHD, and various other special needs are often calmed and centered by holding, pushing, or being covered with a heavy object. Kristi Samson, the owner of Peace Weighted Products and also the mother of two children with special needs, makes weighted stuffed animals and other things for children. She started her store in order to provide weighted products at a more affordable price than many of the other stores out there sell. I had the opportunity to review one of her products recently (which I will be adding to my other blog soon) and my opinion is that her products are high quality, durable, and loveable.

One way that weighted products can be used is to help children sleep better, in the form of a weighted blanket. When a weighted blanket is placed over a child in his bed, the deep pressure is calming and comforting, and can help him to relax enough to fall asleep. Kristi's blankets come in small (shorter than a crib or toddler bed mattress, and weighing 2 to 6 pounds), medium (longer than a toddler mattress but shorter than a twin bed mattress, and weighing 4 to 10 pounds), twin (fitted for a twin bed, and weighing 5 to 15 pounds) or full-size (weighing 10 to 25 pounds.)

The blankets are weighted with nontoxic poly beads. When you order a blanket, you get to choose how much weight you want added. Occupational therapists commonly recommend the following formula for how much weight to add to a blanket: 10% of the child's weight, plus 1 or 2 pounds. So, if your child weighs 60 pounds, you might want a 7 to 8 pound blanket. The objective is to provide comfort and relaxation, not to squash the child under a very heavy blanket! This formula would also work for adults... if an adult weighs 140 pounds, you could choose a 15 to 16 pound blanket.

Kristi's blankets come in all types of designs... solid colors, such as purple, red or turquoise; licensed pictures such as Dora the Explorer, Frozen or Spiderman; or fun patterns such as airplanes or horses.
They are washer and dryer safe. She sews them from scratch, so you know you are getting something made with Tender Loving Care. To order one for someone you love, check out her website. I highly recommend it!

If you are looking for a smaller or less expensive weighted product, consider a weighted lap pad, or neck wrap. They also have weighted stuffed animals, my personal favorite!