Weighted blankets

[Marne]

Just a few questions, dd2 has been having huge meltdowns and a few have you suggested a weighted blanket, i would like to try one but they cost the earth and i am not sure if she will even like it. Dd2 hates having covers over her at night so i assumed a weighted blanket wouldn't work with her but this morning dd2 had a meltdown, in the end i wrapped her (and me) in my duvet and held her tight, she shut up straight away and began to relax. So now i am thinking maybe a weighted blanket is the answer. So here are my questions?

Is there anywhere i can borrow/loan a blanket from to try before i buy?

Can i get any help to buy one? as 100+ pound is a lot of money for us at the moment (we are on low income), i know DLA is supossed to help with things like this but all the money is getting eaten up in petrol money getting dd2 to nursery.

Where can i buy one from?

Has anyone used one on a child that doesn't like covers over them at night?

can you ask the family fund? i got dd4's from sensory direct was £108 including postage.my dd always kicks her covers off at night , but her blanket is used just for her meltdowns.

thank you drlove- i will fill out the form for the family fund, do you know how long it will take for them to decide if we are entitled to it? I was hoping to get one before we go on holiday in 4 weeks time as i know she will be upset when we get there.

i tuck a doubled over blanket tightly over DS2 and under both sides of the mattress (over a light weight duvet), its a bit like being in an old school hospital bed but it helps him drop off to sleep quickly and definitely minimises waking (he used to get in a terrible tangle with his duvet). He loved being swaddled when he was a baby and I could put him in his cot awake and he would drop off by himself. Mind you i am thinking about a small weighted blanket for the DS's to use when relaxing on the sofa.

the weighted blankets take several weeks to arrive after being ordered. think its because they are specially made to order...im not sure how long the familly fund would take to come through, ive just got forms myself am hoping for money for a fence around our garden so dd4 can go out to play( without bolting onto road).

see reference to loan of weighted blanket via OT on this thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs/474439-we-won-we-won-we-won-we-won?fm=9655392#96 55392

And have you seen the thread from hereIdrawtheline about her dazzling weighted blanket success?

Here's the "I love my blanket" thread that made us all so happy just in case you haven't seen it.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=special_needs&threadid=720552-I-am-reporting-back-about-t he-weighted-blanket#14690561

thank you ingle, i really want to get one now, mainly for meltdowns as she seems to be having a couple each day, i think i will talk to dh when he gets home to see if we can find the money to buy one, i will show him the threads .

We love our blanket too. DS throws his covers off at night, but we find it spectacularly successful for meltdowns. If you dont want to spend £100, you could try a lap pad for around £20-£30, as I guess you will not want it for sleeping. We use one of these in school, and it also seems to work well. I have even used a heavy duffel coat for the same effect when we have been out and about.

Hi Marne! Ds had an OT/sensory assessment this week. The Ot suggested making a lap pad (an oblong bean cushion about 15 x 10 inches) that sits on the lap and decorate with eyes tail/ fur to make a lap dog friend! She suggested filling with small dried beans 2-3 kg ( about £1 for a 2kg bag). Goodness knows how you wash it!! Its supposed to help give deep pressure.Just thought I would suggest this in case it was useful to try concept out. Could always funvtion as a draft excluder if no help I suppose.
I wrap ds up tightly in a blanket/duvet/sleeping bag ( well he does it himself now) when he is overloaded or upset. He is quite partial to sitting in rocking chairs and bean bags too.