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Original poster

Weighted Blankets - please can someone explain?

74 replies

TrickyD · 26/09/2020 09:40

I keep seeing them mentioned, but only recently, they must be a new thing.

What is the point? How is their effect different from a good electric blanket and high TOG duvet? Can you use them with an electric blanket?

I see them recommended as good for snuggling on the sofa, but I am more interested in their use on the bed and whether there is any point in suggesting one as a Christmas present. It might help DH avoid his usual panic stricken Christmas Eve trip to Boots hunting for something scented.

OP posts:

AdoreTheBeach · 26/09/2020 09:53

Weighted blankets are not about heat so not at all comparable to an electric blanket.

Good ones are very tiny glass pellets in them - you can’t really feel the individual pellets.

The blanket is heavy so in a way feel similar to a full body hug or may subconsciously remind you if the feeling of being swaddled and safe.

There’s many who think there’s great health benefits both physical and mental

I have one as suggested fir anxiety and sleeping problems. It has been amazing.

Using it in the sofa in the evening, not really going to work I don’t think. They’re very heavy and difficult to move around. (Well, mine is. It’s sized for a double bed).

McWeedie · 26/09/2020 09:54

A weighted blanket causes pressure which people with anxiety and ASD find helps. They are therapeutic.

They are not some new thing for snuggling on a sofa. Spend 30 seconds on google and educate yourself.

musicalfrog · 26/09/2020 09:54

It's a sensory thing rather than a warmth thing.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Home improvement

musicalfrog · 26/09/2020 09:56

@McWeedie

A weighted blanket causes pressure which people with anxiety and ASD find helps. They are therapeutic.

They are not some new thing for snuggling on a sofa. Spend 30 seconds on google and educate yourself.

Bit harsh?

MrsBirkett · 26/09/2020 09:57

A family member has had sleeping problems for years, related to working nights for a long time. Bought them a weighted blanket a couple of months ago and now sleeping all night, every night. Before this they would only sleep for a couple of hours at a time and took hours to get to sleep. It's been miraculous!

gigglingHyena · 26/09/2020 09:57

They are quite calming for some people with anxiety, autism and other conditions. They give a nice even pressure over the whole body.

The ones we have a filled with either glass or plastic beads, quilted into individual pockets to distribute the weight. While obviously being under a cover that moulds around the body is going to offer some warmth, I've never seen them as a replacement for a duvet or other bedding. More a therapy tool.

Although, if either of the kids have left them down here I might well snuggle under it watching TV.

McWeedie · 26/09/2020 09:58

Yeah sorry was a bit harsh, bad night with DS with asd. It just really annoyed me.

FatCatThinCat · 26/09/2020 09:59

I have a hospital grade prescription one. It has metal chains running through it. They are proven to have a calming effect on people with extreme anxiety iisues eg autsim.

musicalfrog · 26/09/2020 10:00

@McWeedie

Yeah sorry was a bit harsh, bad night with DS with asd. It just really annoyed me.

Understood. Hope today and tonight are better.

MaverickDanger · 26/09/2020 10:03

I have very bad restless legs and find it really useful to take some of that feeling away.

FatCatThinCat · 26/09/2020 10:03

You can also get small lap ones for kids with ADHD as the added weight helps them stay grounded and focussed.

FourPlasticRings · 26/09/2020 10:06

Great for anxiety, I've heard. Which makes sense to me. When I'm feeling anxious at night, lying on my stomach to sleep helps (partly why being pregnant does horrible things to mental health). Must be a similar thing- pressure being soothing.

Justnormajean · 26/09/2020 10:07

I’ve wondered what they are too, so thanks for asking and thanks everyone for answering.

FatCatThinCat · 26/09/2020 10:10

I believe it was Temple Grandin who pioneered the use of weighted blankets. She's an autistic animal husbandry expert and she saw how light touch, such as a fly landing, could send a cow crazy with stress, but the firm hand contact of the farmer could then calm it down. She had the idea to expand it to help people with autism.

nervousnelly8 · 26/09/2020 10:13

I got one for a family member last Christmas thinking of all the benefits PPs have mentioned. She didn't get on with it so it's only had a week or so use - the best ones cost a small fortune so we're now stuck with it and I'm loathed to just give it away! Maybe try a little one first to see if it's something you like!

Original poster

TrickyD · 26/09/2020 10:17

McWeedie sorry you had a rough night.

I did actually spend some time googling, thank you, and found such a load of nonsense I thought asking real people on here might be more useful.

No anxiety or sleep problems, but the restless leg soothing sounds interesting.

Does anyone have thoughts on use with an electric blanket as opposed to comparisons with?

OP posts:

Findahouse21 · 26/09/2020 10:21

I have one and it really helps me to get to sleep quickly after night feeds. Because you generally use it with a duvet as well, I don't think you need an electric blanket as well, I'd be roasted alive!! Also, given that they are very weighted, I think you might be at possible risk of burns from an electric blanket, as it would push it onto your skin too much

qazxc · 26/09/2020 10:23

I suffer from deppression, anxiety and am a rubbish sleeper and weighted blankets have been a revelation.
I didn't expect it to work but had nothing to lose and I'm so glad I did.
As pp's have said it's not about warmth, it's the weight (mine is 9.5kg).
It gives me a grounding feeling, a bit like being hugged, and helps me not feel as "jittery" with my anxiety. I think it also helps with me moving about less when I'm asleep and waking myself up.
The added bonus is that I have my blanket and DP has his duvet so no more fighting over bedcovers.
Mine is full of glass pellets and the blanket is sort of divided into squares so that the filling is evenly distributed. It came with 2 covers one plush like and one cotton for cold or hot nights. The blanket itself is a bit more hard work to clean as it can't go in washing machine and has to be dried flat.

confusedofengland · 26/09/2020 10:25

My DS2 has one to put on his lap in class. It helps him to concentrate, if he doesn't have it he squishes tightly in to the table & can't move. He is 9 & has suspected autism.

harper30 · 26/09/2020 10:27

If you wanted to use an electric blanket at the same time as a weighted blanket I'd probably get a heated under blanket, the ones that are on a fitted sheet and go under your normal fitted sheet, I probably wouldn't have a heated blanket beneath a weighted one I think it might get uncomfortable. And having heated above weighted would probably be ineffective.

Trees2905 · 26/09/2020 10:28

Can anyone share a link of where they got theirs? Keen to look into it for anxiety riddled DS aged 7.

qazxc · 26/09/2020 10:29

I've not used it with an electric blanket but the blanket with the plush cover is warm enough for me on cold nights.
I think you might be too hot if you used both, assuming the electric blanket is under the weighted one. and not feel the benefit is it was the other way round.

Dotty1969 · 26/09/2020 10:29

@nervousnelly8

When I was looking for one for my daughter, it did say in the blurb that you need to give it longer, it can take up to 4-6 weeks to see a difference

SistersOfPercy · 26/09/2020 10:29

I've posted this link before, but these ones are amazing and very very cheap. I bought 3...

www.onlinehomeshop.com/brentfords-weighted-blanket-quilted-silver-grey

They have other colours which are a bit more expensive and a teddy fleece one as well which looks amazing.

qazxc · 26/09/2020 10:31

calmingblankets.co.uk/ is where I got mine.

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