Just learned a bit about weighted blankets. Would a heavy duvet do or is it really special design?

[Shybairns]

My kids don't have autism or any other disability. But I was reading a blog about a child who didn't sleep and had been this way for 9 years!!

They just bought a weighted blanket and like a miracle he is now sleeping through!

I wonder could any of us with children who wake in the night or who start their day very early would benifit from a weighted blanket?

And could just a heavy duvet do the same thing?

Would love to hear from those who know.

Generally a weighted blanket is used for children with sensory needs. OTs recommend that they aren't used for more than 20 minutes at a time, although some parents use them all night.

They are sized, so that in most cases you use a blanket that is 10% of the child's body weight, plus 0.5kg.

A heavy duvet will do the same thing, but may not be heavy enough to have the best effect. You can make them at home, though, quite easily (a few hours).