Does anyone know anything about weighted blankets?

[dramaqueen]

Please could I have some advice? My ds has dyspraxia and has terrible problems getting to sleep at night. I have been doing some research and looking at weighted blankets. Does anyone else use them successfully? What weight would I need (ds is 3 stone 10 lbs)? Should I get a single bed size or smaller? Where is the best place to get them?

Sorry about all the questions! Thanks in advance....

Hi. Not sure about weight etc but here and heremight help.

Thanks for the links, monstermansmum.

Tclanger, the second website above has some idea of weight, i.e. 4st - 7lb blanket. But at £100 each, you would want it to last a fair few years, wouldn't you?

I'm tempted to get a 8lb blanket instead of 7lb. It can't make too much difference, can it? I wonder....

I have a weighted blanket that my ds doesn't seem to need any more. It's not very big - covers half his child bed and has a retro scooby doo print. You can have it for postage if you like as I'd like it to go to a good home iyswim! I've been thinking about asking if anyone wants it on here anyone as it's such a waste with him not using it.
I don't do ebay selling or anything so I'll have to find out the postage and measure /weigh it. Cat me if you're interested.

here and here might help. not sure about weight or prices.

I had given some thought to this (thanks for the links!), but as DS5 (affectionatley known as 'little dot') is barely 22lb @2.5y and is only in 12-18mth clothes - a 5lb blanket(the smallest i saw) would pin him down!

{sensorybelt.co.uk here] has a belt for babies called the Miracle belt. Might be worth looking at and they are cheaper than a blanket. Aprox $50 = £25 ish.

I use a weighted blanket for DS. It is a 7lb blanket - more than recommended (he is 44lb. I certainly wouldn't go any heavier. It is not single bed size but it does cover him - and all the weight isn't on him as it overhangs IYSWIM. The lighter blankets were just to small to sleep with, though would work as a comfort aid. Anything any bigger or heavier would actually be quite difficult for him to move.It will last him quite a while, and is easy to wash and dry. £100 is pricey but it certainly does help him when in meltdown, and saves us alot of upset and distress.

We also have a 2lb lap pad which they use at school across his knees - this is also quite effective, and may be a solution for younger children.

Try www.weight2goblankets.co.uk.They also list some pre-made blankets on ebay.

Thank you everyone for your help. Luckylady I will cat you, as your offer is a very generous one.

I can't sleep without a heavy duvet or two over me, but luckily I'm quite a 'cold' sort of person, otherwise I'd boil!

There are 'health warnings' to do with weighted blankets, though. Apparently one child died somehow. A coroner in Canada dealing with the case said,

?A health professional?s advice must be obtained to ensure that the use of the blanket is suitable for the child
The weight of the blanket must be in proportion of the child?s physique and weight
The child?s head must never be, or be able to be, covered by the blanket
Vital signs should always be observable
The child must never be rolled in a blanket (unless a therapist is constantly at his or her side)
A child must never be left unsupervised
The child must be able to easily slip out of the blanket if he or she wishes to do so (it is not a confinement)
The child must express his or her consent to this, even if it is not verbal.?
(Autism Society Canada, 2008)

Thanks Amber. I will check with ds' OT when I see her on Friday. LuckyLady is kindly sending me a small one and it's 6lb so should be OK.