Weighted blankets-please tell me about them

shanie5

Wed, Feb 06 2019, 10:41 pm

What weight is good?
What fabric is best?
Anything specific to look for when shopping (online) for one?
Anything else you can think of?

merrygold

Thu, Feb 07 2019, 12:56 pm

See if you can find one to borrow for a day first to make sure that he likes that specific one.

My son liked weighted things so I bought him a great (and $$) weighted blanket.
He cuddled with it and then wouldn't sleep with it or use it because it made him too hot. And of course, since it was out of the package I couldn't return it.

ra_mom

Thu, Feb 07 2019, 1:54 pm

Can you look for a cooling one? From a place you can return to?
https://www.amazon.com/YnM-Coo.....;th=1

merrygold

Thu, Feb 07 2019, 1:56 pm

That's a cool idea. But he now sleeps only in his boxers Sad

Even a cooling blanket is 1 layer too much Smile

PassionFruit

Thu, Feb 07 2019, 2:01 pm

I have two from sensorygoods.com. I love love love it. Probably my favorite thing I own. Mine is 17 lbs, which is 10% of my weight + 2. You want glass beads, not plastic. Fleece/fur makes it even more delicious. It helps me go to sleep at night, helps me relax, even decreases the number of sensory issues I have the next day.

seeker

Thu, Feb 07 2019, 3:10 pm

Stay away from fleece or anything, go with plain cotton and you can pair it with a separate fleece blanket if you like. That way you're not stuck with fleece that could get sweaty in the wrong seasons. Cotton is breathable and if the weather is cold then I just put it on top of a regular quilt. I also heard from a friend who got fleece that it was very staticky.

They say to get 10% of your body weight but I'd round up from that. Remember the weight gets distributed, it's not all on your body at once.

Washing - mine says it's machine washable and dryable but I always always use a flat sheet under it so it doesn't get dirty for a long time.

Amelia Bedelia

Sun, Feb 10 2019, 9:15 am

I've seen it being sold all over but I'm unsure of what it is exactly and what the benefits are. Are you supposed to feel like you're being cuddled?

Amalia

Sun, Feb 10 2019, 12:15 pm

ra_mom wrote:

It's that deep pressure feeling that sensory kids need to feel grounded.

What is “sensory” (for kids and for adults)?

Can you please give me leads on how to look it up online? (I tried before, and got confused.)

Also, can there be levels in this, like there exist allergies and food sensitivities? And is it possible to be sensory in one area and not others?

What specialist knows about this? I can never figure out who to ask about it IRL.

Thank you so much

(I meant those questions for anyone who would be kid enough to put in the time and effort to reply - not just for ra_mom.)

ra_mom

Sun, Feb 10 2019, 12:19 pm

Google sensory processing disorder hypo vs hyper to see the two categories.
Every kid is different in how SPD manifests itself and most often there's a combination of both types. Yes there are levels. There are also "types" of kids, like they can be have food intolerances and digestive issues and reflux, many of which are hard even for doctors to pinpoint to or directly help.
OT therapists are the specialists who deal with SPD.
https://chicagospeechtherapy.c.....rder/

Cheshire cat

Sun, Feb 10 2019, 1:10 pm

Would anyone kindly provide a link to a tried-and-true weighted blanket for kids? The online options are endless! And confusing!

Amalia

Sun, Feb 10 2019, 10:18 pm

ra_mom wrote:

Thanks so much! I am still confused, though:

Who can diagnose SPD? (In adults and in children)

shanie5

Sun, Feb 10 2019, 10:32 pm

Thanks so much. Your answers have really helped clarify. My oldest son would love one, and so would his oldest son. Dh too. At least now I know what to look for.

ra_mom

Sun, Feb 10 2019, 10:46 pm

Amalia wrote:

Thanks so much! I am still confused, though:

Who can diagnose SPD? (In adults and in children)

An child evaluator but more likely an occupational therapist.
Sensory processing disorder isn't a recognized medical diagnosis on the DSM-5 but OT therapists are trained to deal with it.

Amalia

Mon, Feb 11 2019, 8:37 am

ra_mom wrote:

An child evaluator but more likely an occupational therapist.
Sensory processing disorder isn't a recognized medical diagnosis on the DSM-5 but OT therapists are trained to deal with it.

Thanks so much!

ra_mom

Mon, Feb 11 2019, 12:00 pm

Amalia wrote:

Thanks so much!

My pleasure! If you'd like more information, this is a good book, recommended by our OT (wow was it really 10 years ago? you can borrow it from me if you're nearby).
Raising a Sensory Smart Child by Lindsey Biel

Amalia

Mon, Feb 11 2019, 6:24 pm

ra_mom wrote:

Thanks so much for your offer!

I’ll look into the book (when I have a chance).