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Weighted blankets

artfull dodger

artfull dodger

Well-Known Member
What is everyones thoughts on weighted blankets? I am considering getting one for myself as I am having problems sleeping now that the heavy blankets that I use in the winter are off the bed. Thinking the recommended 5% of body weight for adults will be about right for me. Right now with the just light blanket and sheet on the bed, I wake up 4 to 7 times a night atleast. While I am not up for more than a few seconds, I am not getting the deep sleep I need and I can feel it all day long. By evening I am worthless for doing anything, along with being moody. I am worried this will increase the danger of a meltdown if I dont start getting a better nights rest. Wintertime, when I have the sheet, a nice quilt my grandma made me, then the heavy winter comforter on the top, I sleep like a rock. I leave them on the bed till I start to roast in late spring. My wife hates running the AC or leaving the whole house fan on all night as she wakes up with a sore throat. I am thinking a weighted blanket is what I need to calm my senses so I can sleep. Dodger
 
I say definitely get one! My life improved so much after getting my blanket, I find it so calming and I definitely sleep better. If you in UK can recommend sensory direct. They have full money back guarantee for 60days. Good as they aren't cheap. Worth every penny in my opinion though. Hope that's helpful.
 
If you're good at sewing / have sewing machine you can get pellets off eBay and make your own. Think there are YouTube videos with instructions on how. Would be cheaper for you?
 
sewing isnt in my list of things I can do, if my grandmother was still alive she could have made me one. Thanks for the idea though. Dodger
 
Isn't it 10-15% body weight for people with any sensory processing issues etc (vs. NTs)?

Yeah. .
"The industry standard is that most OT's and PTs recommend 10% of body weight plus a couple of pounds."

"In fact, she found that people consistently sought out, and were comfortable with, weighted blankets that weighed well over 10% of their body weight"
 
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For children the recommend weight is 10% of body weight +1 pound, for adults it can be 5% or 10% as at the higher level the blanket can be quite heavy and hard to get out from under when your a tad weak when you first get up in the morning. I plan to go with the 5% amount as it should be close to what my winter comforter is and I sleep quite well with that on the bed. Just to warm out now to use all those blankets. Just the sheet and the weighted blanket will be perfect. Dodger
 
I put a pillow between my body and the sheet/blanket. It's not heavy but having the sheet tucked in at the bottom and side does make it a little tighter and achieves the same effect.
 
artfull dodger said:
For children the recommend weight is 10% of body weight +1 pound, for adults it can be 5% or 10% as at the higher level the blanket can be quite heavy and hard to get out from under when your a tad weak when you first get up in the morning. I plan to go with the 5% amount as it should be close to what my winter comforter is and I sleep quite well with that on the bed. Just to warm out now to use all those blankets. Just the sheet and the weighted blanket will be perfect. Dodger
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Hm, I am no expert, but both the things I quoted were about adults (including the one about the woman who did research into it), also read that "adult-length" blankets should be 10%+3lbs, medium 10%+2 and small 10%+1 (just because of the weight relative to the area--a 12lb small blanket has more weight per square inch than a 12 lb large blanket!), but that is just one manufacturer so I didn't quote it. I know there are NTs who use them for other issues (anxiety, restless leg, etc.) and require a lower weight. But if 5% works for you then it doesn't really matter. Mine is 10% but it is a small blanket. I wish it were heavier.
 
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At 10% my blanket would weigh 19lbs, on the low side it would weigh 12lbs according to the site I am looking at buying from
 
I have an industrial sewing setup.. I might be able to help you out with sewing if you're not on a tight time deadline.
 
I'm thinking about getting one, but, I'm not finding an extra long King (California King) and that's what I need for my bed because, I'm all over the bed when I sleep - sometimes I wake up upside down in the bed. (head where feet started out.)
 
Beverly, you may find that you don't move as much once you have the blanket. I used to roll all over the place all night but I'm wondering if that was sensory seeking behaviour to relax me enough to sleep? It was quite disturbed sleep but I think I needed the input to know where my body edges were to actually feel safe enough to sleep. The blanket seems to replace that input for me, and I don't move much at all apart from turning over a few times since I got it. I definitely sleep better now I stay still!!

As far as the weight debate goes mine is 8.5% of my body weight. I find this is plenty when I'm calm but I can barely feel it if I'm in a state of sensory overload. However, after 20minutes under it I do begin to feel the weight again. I don't think 5% would do very much for me, I wouldn't want it any heavier than 10%.
 
I'm going to go with 10% plus 2 lbs, I think that is about right for me. It will be cooler that the quilt, blanket and, comforter I use now and, less hassle making the bed. I don't think it will stop me from moving in my sleep. I move to get away from the edge of the bed. I'm told that if any part of my body touches any edge of the mattress, I move as far as I can to the opposite end or side of the bed. I must have a subconscious fear of falling out of bed.
 
I think alot of it has to do how much each person weighs. If I went with 10%+2 my blanket would weigh 21lbs, very expensive and to heavy in my mind. I am thinking more in the 12lb area for me. maybe 15lbs max.
 
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