Everything you need to know about a weighted blanket for your child
If your child has trouble sleeping, you're probably desperate for a solution. Because if we're honest: if your child doesn't sleep, you probably won't either. Sleep deprivation can have negative consequences for your child, which in turn has consequences for the whole family.
For years, therapists have used weighted blankets to soothe autistic children and children with sensory processing disorders. Are you considering purchasing a weighted blanket for your child to give them a better night's sleep? Below we answer all the most frequently asked questions from parents about a weighted blanket for your child.
- What exactly is a weighted blanket?
- When can a weighted blanket help your child?
- How does a weighted blanket work for your child?
- How heavy should a child's weighted blanket be?
- Which weighted blankets are there for children?
- Are these heavy blankets safe for a child?
- How old does my child have to be to use a weighted blanket?
- What size do I need for my child?
- What material is a weighted blanket filled with?
- How do I wash my child's weighted blanket?
- Experiences of users of a weighted blanket
1. What exactly is a weighted blanket?
Gravity® Blankets are therapeutic weighted blankets that use the force of weight to relax the nervous system, improve sleep, and reduce stress and anxiety. In addition, it is a natural aid for various disorders.
As the name suggests, a weighted blanket is not an ordinary comforter. A weighted blanket is heavier than a normal duvet. Weight depends on body weight (10% of body weight) and height. The pressure of the blanket has a relaxing effect on the joints, muscles and tendons. The body relaxes mentally and physically.
Our Gravity® Blanket is a high-quality weighted blanket that can help with sleep disorders, restlessness and developmental disorders such as ADHD, Down Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome or autism. Our blankets are also used successfully for sensory integration disorders.
The weight of the weighted blanket is spread evenly over the body and creates the feeling of a soft and loving embrace. The body relaxes and the stress and anxiety level drops, so that you fall asleep faster and relax more.
2. When can a weighted blanket help?
As a parent you only want the best for your child. Sometimes it is desirable that your child falls asleep quickly in the evening or does not wake up several times during the night. Our little ones are often in a bad mood or in tears just because they don't get enough sleep. Is your child more anxious or too excited and can't relax in the evening? In other cases, concerns about the child's well-being are due to an illness. Perhaps your child has been diagnosed with a developmental or sensory integration disorder? You now know what is good for your child and what is not. If you also attach great importance to the best quality and sustainability in production, then you have come to the right place at Gravity-deken.nl.
3. How does a weighted blanket work?
Our heavy blankets (also known as sensory blankets) are used successfully in the treatment of children with autism (ASD), Asperger's syndrome (AS), ADHD or sensory integration disorders (SID). The weighted blanket exerts a pleasant and firm pressure and thus activates deep-seated receptors. The child can now perceive the body more intensely: there is a sense of security and safety and the child relaxes. This physical relaxation, in turn, affects the mind and well-being.
4. How heavy should a child's weighted blanket be?
In general, we recommend that the weight of the weighted blanket is approximately 10% of the body weight. In children, this also depends on the body size, so that the weight of the blanket can also be adjusted according to the size of the blanket. If you opt for a slightly larger blanket, you can also increase the weight slightly. In principle, the child should be able to free itself from the blanket. Here you need to involve the child and ask questions about its well-being. If the blanket is too light, you can follow our advice and we will discuss which weight can work well for your child. All recommended values are guidelines only and may also vary in individual cases.
5. Which weighted blankets are there for children?
We believe that medical devices should not look boring, which is why we offer a large collection of child-friendly patterns, ranging from animals to vehicles to current fairytale heroes. When it comes to colours, we usually choose calm tones so that the child is not overly stimulated by the colours. Our Gravity® blanket is now also available for children, which are especially popular because of the warmth and the nice feeling.
6. Are these heavy blankets safe for a child?
Heavy blankets are safe for children. It is not recommended to use a blanket with children younger than 2 years. The weight is also very important. When choosing a blanket, it is important that you keep 10% of your child's weight for the weighted blanket, so that your child can take the blanket off himself.
7. How old does my child have to be to use a weighted blanket?
We recommend weighted blankets for babies over 2 years old. If you have a baby, talk to your pediatrician first to determine if a weighted blanket is appropriate. It is important that a child can free himself from under the heavy blanket.
8. What size do I need for my child?
When choosing the size of the weighted blanket for children, it is about the height of your child and of course the weight as we have discussed earlier. Use the size chart below to determine size and weight:
9. What material is a weighted blanket filled with?
Gravity® weighted blankets inlett are made of 100% organic cotton. The filling is made of 32% polyester and 68% cotton. High quality micro glass beads are scattered in small pockets in the blanket, which give the Gravity® Blanket its weight.
We appreciate your trust and know that a weighted blanket is an investment in your child's well-being. That is why our products are very durable and maintenance-friendly. The production is based on our knowledge gained in the USA and the latest technology. You buy a quality product. Both the fabrics and the fillings of the weighted blankets are 100% hypoallergenic and breathable.
10. How do I wash my child's weighted blanket?
Our weighted blankets consist of two parts: the soft cover and the weighted blanket. Both can be washed at 30°C. It is important that your blanket is not too heavy for your washing machine. Usually it is sufficient if you only wash the cover. Do not use a dryer! This can damage the fabric.
11. Experiences of users of a weighted blanket
Ottelien van Marselis Hartsinck - Nice blanket!
“Good customer service, they answer questions quickly. Our daughter is very happy with the ordered blanket.”
Mimi - Great blanket
“Bought Gravity blanket for my son. Now sleeping through the night. My daughter who sleeps well also wanted to try it, but my son wouldn't let me. It is nice and soft and has a luxurious look. I like it so much that I ordered 3 more. Owned for a week now. I use it not only for a good night's sleep, but also for meditation and on the couch. Really recommended.”
Marianne - Super satisfied
“We have received the blanket in good order. Our daughter now sleeps under it. She seems to fall asleep earlier and sleep more deeply. The first mornings she even slept through her alarm clock, which had never happened before. We are therefore very satisfied with the blanket!”
All experiences including from parents can be read on our review page!
If you decide to buy a weighted blanket, you have a 31-day return policy and you can contact our customer service at any time. We're here for you. All children's warming blankets also come with a 1-year growth guarantee.
Tip!: Also read our blog with a detailed description of how weighted blankets work: How does a weighted blanket work?
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