I have a weighted blanket - AMA

[Pickles89]

I thought there was a dedicated 'Ask Me Anything' forum on Mumsnet, but I can't find it? Anyway, I know it's not the most exciting topic, but I thought might be helpful if anyone's considering one but is still undecided. They are so expensive!

Is this a piss take?

How much did yours cost?
I got mine from Amazon and it was about £50 so not overly expensive. I love mine.

@minty133 Nope, not at all! Genuinely thought it might be helpful.

@ofwarren £169. What's yours like, and how long have you had it?

They have really come down in price now, I have seen them for €30. Really tempted to try one out.

Does it make you too hot?

Why did you buy it?

Does it make you really hot? This question is probably only relevant if you’re a lady of a certain age.

Curious to know what the advantages are with it being weighted??

@BertieBotts and @Freshprincess

So far it's been fine, but I've only had it since Christmas, and it's an unusual situation for me as on the one hand my bedroom radiator has died, so it's a lot colder in there come bedtime than it would normally be, but on the other hand I'm using 'teddy bear fleece' bedding which is very cozy. I deliberately chose a woven blanket as I assume that will be 'cooler' than most, but I don't know. I'm 32 so no night sweats to worry about.

As for why I bought it, I'm had insomnia since forever (although not so badly these days to be fair) and I get restless legs too. I'm generally anxious and thought it would help.

@CheeseAndHackers I suppose it's meant to work kind of like a baby being swaddled - it gives a feeling of security? It's funny actually but if it slides off in the night I semi-wake and pull it back over (if I can, easier said than done as it is bloody heavy!) so I miss it subconsciously when I'm without it now!

Does it help with your insomnia?! I’m really struggling to sleep at the moment.

Can I derail a bit and ask about your teddy bear fleece bedding? Do you have problems with static? I am a very static-y person and wondered what it was like.

Got my DD one recently. She really likes it, it has helped her to sleep and she particularly likes the way it stays warm if she needs to go to the bathroom. Got quite a light one from an Etsy seller. Cost £40 and has a removable washable cover.

How heavy is it? What brand is it? And do you think it’s worth the money?

I have been tempted for a while but there is so much choice I got a bit overwhelmed...

Thanks for replying.
I really suffer with early waking and I’ve been considering one for a while for that.

The possibility of over heating is putting me off as they are quite pricey.

Ds got one yesterday! £25 in B andM and I got it before Christmas, last night his slid off and he found it very heavy to pull back over himself, any ideas how to stop it doing this???

Can you adjust the weights?
Isn't it too heavy at 110% of your body weight? (I am overweight tbh)?
Can we have a picture please?

I had never heard of weighted blankets before this thread.

It's 10% not 110%! That would defo be too heavy.

@Illy605 I think it really does, yes! I'm no way near as bad as I used to be anyway (10 years ago I would literally be awake all night, fall asleep around 8am and then maybe have 3 or 4 hours - it was absolute torture) but I think it really has helped reduce my 'trying to fall asleep' time. I would say on average I'm now asleep within 20 minutes of lights out, as opposed to an hour. So if your insomnia is really extreme it might not be a complete solution, but I think certainly worth a try.

@bigpricklyfern When they're fresh from the dryer, yes! You can apparently get anti-static balls or sheets or something to put it the dryer which are supposed to help. I just separate them really carefully when I take them out. When on the bed they aren't a problem at all. Full disclaimer, my hair is a frizzy mess, but then it's a frizzy mess with cotton sheets too so who knows if that's related!

@BertieBotts

It's 10% not 110%! That would defo be too heavy.

That changes everything! I liked the concept because I love a heavy duvet but I thought they sounded too extreme.

@DeusEx It's a Sommio, 19lbs. There are 2 weights to choose from but you're supposed to go off your body weight so the heavier one was right for me. Very glad I chose that weight. For me it's been 100% worth the money especially as it was a present so not my money but I guess whether it's worth it to the individual depends on your personal budget.

The choice is certainly overwhelming! I settled on this brand because I wasn't keen on the idea of one with metal weights, or those with plastic beads - I've seen them in real life and the metal disk weights seem hard and uncomfy, and the sound/feel of the beads rubbing together set my teeth on edge. Then I watched Youtube vids of weighted blanket reviews and saw a highly rated woven one which I thought sounded like the ideal solution. Actually it turned out that brand was only in America but I Googled 'Woven weighted blanket UK' and the Sommio came up. I actually thought I'd love the sort of 'open weave' thing so I could play with it, looping the holes over my fingers as I fell asleep. It turns out I don't like doing that at all, it just makes me feel trapped (and it's not a great feeling getting toes caught in it either!) but I do thing the holes will make it airier in summer. That remains to be seen though!

Do you use it with a duvet? Or on its own (in which case you must need to wash regularly?)

@Beamur I looked into ones with covers but the general consensuses seemed to be that they're a faf as the blankets work loose inside and end up bunched at one end. Having said that I may end up using it inside a duvet cover instead of a duvet on the hottest of summer nights - I don't feel like I can do without it now I've got used to it! So I'll have to see how that works out.

The one I've got is machine washable, but would probably need an industrial machine. I wouldn't wash it unless I spilled something on it or something though.

@mumonthehill

It is a pain when it slips off! I notice the lack even though I'm 3/4 asleep, and struggle to haul it on again. I think in summer if I use it without a duvet it'll be far less likely to slip off. Or using it on top of sheets like people used in the old days. The duvet does make it easier for it to fall off though. It actually pulled the muscles in my arm trying to heave it back on! On the plus side, free workout!