Weighted blankets have become extremely popular in the last couple of years. In fact, they have become a godsend for many kids, teens, and adults desperate for a good night’s rest.

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When I meet a parent with a child who is experiencing psychological distress, anxiety, depression, ADHD symptoms, chronic insomnia, or sensory processing issues, I always ask them if their child is sleeping well.

Are they sleeping through the night? Waking up early? Or, tossing and turning all night? If a parent tells me that their child is doing one or more of these things, I typically recommend that the parent purchase a weighted blanket for the child.

I have found that a good night’s rest can make all the difference in the mental and emotional state of a child. A child who receives proper sleep at night is more focused and alert, calmer, balanced, happier, and better able to confront and conquer any challenges they face.

So, what did those parents tell me after their children slept beneath a weighted blanket? They reported to me that their children’s sleep habits, thought patterns, behaviors, and moods significantly improved after using one of them.

What is the Purpose of Weighted Blankets?

The purpose of this type of blanket is to relax your body and mind so you sleep more soundly.

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How Do They Work?

Weighted blankets typically have glass, sand, or plastic pellets sewn into squares within their linings. The pellets add bulk to the blankets, causing them to weigh between 4 (for young children) and 30 pounds (for adults).

This design helps evenly distribute pressure across the body, which according to research[1], may help ease anxiety, pain, sensory issues, stress, restlessness, insomnia, and other ailments in some people.

Another study[2] examined the effects of sensory rooms to help ease anxiety and distress in child psychiatric patients and found that these rooms, along with weighted blankets, helped reduce misbehavior, emotional distress, physical distress, and anxiety.

According to the researchers, the use of weighted blanket significantly decreased distress and clinician-rated anxiety in children with mental health issues.

Similarly, another study[3] on the use of weights to ease psychological and physical distress found that children who wore weighted vests experienced a significant reduction in ADHD symptoms – i.e. inattention, hyperactivity, behavioral problems, and impulsivity.

What Does It Feel Like to Have a Weighted Blanket on Top of You?

For many, it feels like a warm, soothing hug, or as if you are being held while you sleep. Keep in mind that occupational and physical therapists have been using weighted blankets for decades to help autistic children and teens combat sleeplessness, anxiety, and sensory processing issues.

So, if your child or teen suffers from anxiety, sleep issues, chronic stress, or sensory issues, it may be worth it to invest in a weighted blanket.

If you are interested in or are planning to purchase one of these blankets for your child, make sure the blanket is no heavier than 10% of your child’s weight.

Caution!!!

If the blanket is too heavy for your child, it could trigger new problems or worsen old ones. Also, consult with your child’s pediatrician, psychologist, or physical therapist if you plan to use to the blanket in conjunction with a prescribed treatment plan.

What Similarities Exist Between Almost All Weighted Blankets for Kids?

Before we delve into my selection of the best weighted blankets for kids, allow me to highlight below some similar characteristics that typically exist in all or almost all weighted blankets, regardless of their size, shape, and weight.

All Weighted Blankets are Designed to Help Children and Teens With:

• General Sleep Issues, Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders

• ADHD

• Restlessness

• Hyperactivity

• Racing Thoughts

• Depression

• Agitation

• Wakefulness

• Bedtime, General & Separation Anxiety

• Chronic Stress

• Sensory Processing Issues, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) & Autism

• Nightmares & Night Terrors

General Comfort Characteristics of Most Weighted Blankets for Children

• Weighted inserts to help evenly distribute the weight

• Micro-beads do not make noise as your child moves at night, ensuring that they remain soundly asleep

• Triggers sound sleep

• Fits toddler, twin, standard, queen, and king beds

• Soft and comfortable material

• Quality materials, so the blanket is well-made and durable

• Good temperature control, so your child will not overheat overnight

General Health Benefits Associated with Weighted Blankets for Kids:

• May provide relief and comfort for restless children

• Comfortable and calming, so ideal for most sleep problems

• A natural sleep aid

• Promotes sound, all-night sleep

• May help children who are very tense and struggle to relax and fall asleep

• May also be beneficial for children who do not have special needs, but who simply like heavy blankets

• May help relieve your child’s stress, anxiety, frustration, distress, and tension, so he or she sleeps better at night and is more focused during the day

• May reduce overstimulation, sensory issues, chronic pain and other health-related symptoms

• May make your child feel more safe and secure at night

• May help your child get a good night’s rest and awaken feeling refreshed

• May provide benefits to you, as the parent. When your child sleeps through the night, you gain more shut eye as well. As a result, you are better prepared for the next day

• Promotes calmness and relaxation

Common Pros That Almost All Children’s Weighted Blankets Share

• Affordable for many parents

• May relieve stress and increase serenity

• Comes in a variety of weights and sizes, so it can accommodate your child or teen

• Is machine washable, so it’s easy to clean

• Surrounds the body like a tight hug and makes your child feel safe and secure

• Works well for children who have experienced trauma or those who suffer from depression or anxiety

• Provides your child with longer and deeper sleep, so he or she feels rested and ready to tackle the day’s tasks

• Improves sleep quality, so your child sleeps longer and more deeply

• Is machine-washable, so it’s easy to clean if your young child wets the bed or has an overnight “accident”

• Is noiseless or makes minimum noise with movement

• May help reduce your child’s restlessness

• Evenly distributed weight throughout the blanket

• Not too heavy or too hot for most children

• Feels like a warm bear hug or a gentle massage on top of your child

• Soothing for most children

Common Cons That Almost All Children’s Weighted Blankets Share

• Can be too warm for children who are “hot-natured”

• May be too uncomfortable for some children

• May not provide comfort to some children with mental or physical health issues

• Can be expensive.

• Beads may shift around in the blanket

• Beads may be hard to clean up if they spill from the blanket

• Beads may be too loud for children who are sensitive to sounds

• Material may rip easily, leading to leakage

• May not evenly distribute (like advertised) throughout the blanket. As a result, some areas of the blanket may be empty.

• May be too heavy or constricting for your child to move or adjust

• May be smaller than advertised

• May have stitching and pocket problems

In Summary

There are many different types of weighted blankets and weighted bed sheets available for children and teens. After speaking to my adult and child clients, I have determined that some benefits can be gleaned from adding moderate pressure or weight to the body.

Some of these benefits include increased calmness, stress and pain relief, better and longer sleep, better daytime focus and concentration, fewer mood swings and agitation, fewer nightmares, reduced racing thoughts and bedtime restlessness, less hyperactivity and impulsivity, reduced anxiety and depression, improved behavior, sensory stimulation, etc.

It is important to understand that weighted blankets or bed sheets may not work for all children, so it’s important that you consult with your child’s physician if you are thinking about purchasing a weighted blanket for your child or teen.

A medical or health professional will know whether added weight or pressure will benefit your child. As for my own experiences with weighted blankets, I have found that they have helped both my child and adult clients.

My child clients have been able to sleep more soundly at night, and as a result, awaken rested and in a better mood.

My adult clients have also benefited from their child’s lower stress levels and improved sleep quality. The parents reported to me that they also feel less stressed and more rested and relaxed when their children are able to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep all night.

Because their children are more relaxed and calm, they are also more relaxed and calm, and have lower levels of stress. As a result of the weighted blankets, both my adult and child clients are better able to deal with any emotional issues and obstacles that come their way.

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