to ask if anyone has a weighted blanket and if so do they really help you sleep?

[bringincrazyback]

Posting here for traffic. I have a lifelong sleep disorder and lie awake for hours most nights, even when I am exhausted, I never seem to actually feel sleepy.

A number of people have recommended weighted blankets, and as I do seem to find it a little easier to get sleepy under heavy duvets I am wondering if a weighted blanket might be a worthwhile investment. So expensive though, I don't mind that if it works, but I keep wondering if being under a heavy blanket might might make me feel trapped or pinned down, so to speak? So I'm really unsure, think I need to hear a few first-hand accounts as to what they are like...

It'd be great to hear experiences if anyone has any to share - thanks in advance!

I tried one and really couldn't get on with it - at first it felt great but I was waking up all the time trying to move it around (it was heavy!) or trying to push it away from me. I ended up sending it back.

See if you can find a supplier with a money-back guarantee and try it out for you

My boyfriend has bad anxiety including health anxiety and sleep issues. The first night he used a weighted blanket he slept better than he had in years. I think it's worth trying.

I use a 10.5 duvet but 100% cotton inner and cover, a lot heavier and denser than ordinary hollow fibre duvets but breathable.
Best thing I bought and I've been trying to find another but they unfortunately are quite expensive plus some duvets are described as 100%cotton but it's only the cover!
I think they'd still be cheaper than specialist blankets though.

I got one a few weeks ago. I really do think it's made a difference. I rarely wake before 5.30 now, used to wake 4-5 times a night.

I’ve looked in to this before, do you not get really hot?

Following

I’m in the process of making one for DD - I think the cost is mainly in the time taken rather than the materials (I’ve only looked at “customised” ones on Etsy for comparison) - it’s going to work out less than £30 and isn’t complicated with a sewing machine.

I realise that doesn’t answer your question at all btw, but I thought it was worth a try for £30 rather than £120!

I recently bought one because I simply couldn't stay asleep. I would go to bed at 9pm (party on!) but I would wake three or four times a night and would be wide-awake, grumpy, but wide-awake at 4am for the rest of the day. I was simply just going through the motions of my day.

The blanket has changed everything for me.
I still wake up early at 5am but I've had really restful sleep and I can function well throughout the day now.

It has made a real difference.

Also planning to make one @ShimmeringIce

I have one. It's fantastic and I wouldn't be without it. Mine has metal chains running through it so it really hugs tight. At first I did feel a bit pinned down but it wasn't long before I was so used to it that I had to upgrade to a heavier one. Thankfully I'm not in the UK so I got mine on prescription from the hospital.

I would go to bed at 9pm (party on!) but I would wake three or four times a night and would be wide-awake, grumpy, but wide-awake at 4am for the rest of the day but you'd have had 7 hours by 4am,I would wake early if I went to bed at 9.

How are they different from a heavy bedspread - apart from being more expensive?

My dad always needs a heavy blanket when he stays with us, he hates a duvet. I'm the opposite I don't like anything heavy on the best,it hurts me and makes me ache.

I bought one for my son (aged 19 with ASD), as it was recommended to us. He finds it really helpful, he isn't sleeping for longer but has much better quality sleep and falls asleep more easily. I dithered for ages as they are so expensive, but for us money well spent.

**bed

I don’t think they are that simple to make, or cheap. You need the beads all sewn in the correct place to ensure the weight is even.
eBay sell them, they are worth a try, even if you re sell in case it doesn’t work for you.

I have one and am very pleased with it. I just hope it won’t be too hot in the summer

I know this sounds ridiculous :

I use 4 thin duvets (7.5 t) with covers and 1 blanket. Meaning I can have a lot of weight and warm when I sleep but strip then off as the night do goes on.

My husband bought one for us and whilst I was unimpressed by the cost (he paid for it anyway...) I do love it. The only thing is it’s very difficult to make the bed - far too heavy for me to sort alone! I sleep all night long now - toddlers allowing anyway :)

My welsh tapestry blankets are fantastic and I sleep much better with one on top of my duvet.

How are they different from a heavy bedspread - apart from being more expensive?

A weighted blanket should be 10% of the users bodyweight plus a kilogramme which is difficult to achieve with a heavy bedspread.

They don't have to be expensive, I only paid £45 for the one I got for DS.

These are some really interesting responses, I'm feeling even more tempted to give it a try...

DS who has ASD has one - it does seem to help but he doesn't have it every night. He definitely feels it helps him relax though.

My son has one as he's autistic and it's amazing.
On the off chance he's not using it I'll punch it and I love it too. I'd buy one for myself in a heartbeat it I could afford it

I struggle with anxiety and insomnia. I have a weighted blanket and feel it makes a different in my sleep. I feel somehow calmer and more....protected (too many vampire movies!) under the blanket. I use it most nights except for the very hottest. I actually bought a child sized one as I wanted to test before spending a huge amount of money. I never ended up buying a the adult size.

My ASD son has two, and they have been miraculous. The first time we got one, it stopped a meltdown in its tracks! He used to use it to sleep u see but now it’s more of a comforting calming thing.
I have commandeered the spare one and I have it over the duvet, but just for power naps. I sleep brilliantly with it.