Weighted blankets

[osospecial]

I have borrowed a weighted blanket tonight from OT dept to see what dd thinks of it to decide whether to buy one.
I think it was quite successful, she enjoyed lying under it on the sofa for a while this evening (around 30-40mins) and it seemed to help her stay still and relax (she is usually climbing and running around non stop).
But I put it on the bed tonight and she moved it off her after about 5 mins, before going to sleep. She was a lot calmer and fell straight to sleep though (although she hasn't been feeling 100% well today and was tired so its hard to say how much of this was down to the blanket, but she was still running around all day and right up to the point that she had it on the sofa ifyswim).
I only have it for one night to decide, its going back tomorrow.
Does anybody have one of these?
I'm thinking it would be a useful thing to have even if she did only use it for a short period now and again to unwind rather than every night. She has trouble winding down at bedtime, some nights are worse than others. I wish I could keep it a bit longer to decide really.
Also, I have been googling and they are quite expensive to buy, around £100, does anybody know where is the best/cheapest place to buy one from please?

DD1 has used one for about 4 years. Wouldn't be without it.

You can make them for about £20.

I tried to make a weighted lap pad before and wasn't very successful so that's put me off making my own! I'm not very good at sewing! Although i think i chose the wrong fabric for the lap pad, it was too thick, and i do have a friend who is good with a sewing machine so may ask her for help, it's certainly a big difference in the cost.
Good to know you have found it useful for your dd, thanks.

Dd3 has hers for about a month, she loves it. I bought it from a lady who makes them to order.

OT's told me she shouldnt be sleeping under it but we have allowed Dd3 to decide. She usually settles under it and then kicks it off, I think it has made a difference to the amount of time it takes her to settle. I have had to put a really thin duvet on her bed though to stop her overheating.

If you can get someone to help you make one I would deinitely go for it and save yourself a bit of money.

Good luck

I agree, Polter. Every OT I've spoken to says the same.

I've ignored that advice because DD1 uses a small, relatively low weight blanket and I think for her, it is as much a psychological thing as a sensory thing (ie. she feels that she 'can't sleep' without her blanket). She often kicks it off in the night and it only covers her torso anyway.

How would you make your own though? I cant think what they use to make it 'weighted'

We are getting desparate with DS and settling

Thanks all, I definitely think I'm going to attempt making one with help or alternatively find somebody who makes one to order as that might be cheaper than buying from a shop online.
I thought dd was going to fall asleep on the sofa last night when she was lying under it, I think she was a lot calmer afterwards too. Its gone back to OT now but I'm really exited to make one now to try it some more. I can see it being very handy in times when dd is particularly hyper to help her wind down in the evening.
The OT told me yesterday dd should be supervised with it as a young boy actually died in a school in America after suffocating when rolled in one. She said this was a rare case but that they have to tell me. I think he mustve been quite young/small boy as she did say dd was obviously bigger and strong enough to take it off herself when she wanted too so I shouldn't really be too concerned but just to be aware of that (dd is only 4). Shocking and sad that can happen in a school though.

Pinkglow I believe they use polly pellets inside it. I know the blanket is made up of lots of identically sized squares filled with these polly pellets. They have to be the right size so the weight is distributed properly. I found instructions online when I was making the writes lap pad.

Sorry polter x posted

writes lap pad don't know where that came from!

Ahh should have said weighted lap pad

Thanks osospecial and PolterGoose, might have to dust the old sewing machine off if it means saving myself £100!

The cheapest place for poly pellets is Tinkerbell Creations - they sell online. I haven't ever found cheaper than them.

Worth trying here?

www.togs4specialsprogs.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=64

Thanks Js they are a great price on there! I've just ordered a body sox from that website last week and didn't think to look there for this! They have a Minnie Mouse one for £34.99- I'm very tempted!

hello ladies. That link is really helpful. I'm just working out what weights etc I need for an average sized 7 year old boy?

10% of bodyweight + 1lb.

No more if they are going to left on a sleeping child for H&S reasons.

thanks bochead. I will be taking it off him once he is asleep.