You should choose a weighted blanket based in part on your desired feel or texture. Some of these blankets have covers made of cotton or microfiber material that deliver a smooth feel, while others are made with fleece for a plusher and cozier texture. A few weighted blankets have reversible designs with a distinct feel on each side. Sales of weighted blankets have soared in recent years. While the research behind the purported health benefits of weighted blankets is still fairly inconclusive, those who swear by them say that hunkering down under the added weight helps to reduce anxiety and, in some cases, relieve insomnia. One review reported that weighted vests are not effective in increasing educational performance in children with ASD (Grajo, Candler & Sarafian, 2020). It is believed that weighted blankets promote relaxation and ease sleep onset by triggering the release of sleep and happiness hormones while reducing the production of natural steroids like cortisol. Fittingly, the most important consideration when choosing a weighted blanket is how light or heavy it feels. Other factors that may affect your decision include materials, sizes, colors, prices, and whether or not the blanket can be returned if you are dissatisfied with it. What to Consider When Purchasing a Weighted Blanket A weighted vest, weighted clothing, compression clothing, compression bed sheets, or weighted blanket are just some of the tools used to support individuals with autism.

Saatva’s Organic Velvet Diamond Quilt is a luxury blanket that features elegant diamond stitching to create a timeless look for your sleep environment. The quilt is both weighty and plush, ensuring plenty of warmth during cold times of the year, but organic cotton composition also makes it quite breathable and well-suited to warm weather. Saatva recommends pairing the quilt with a duvet on exceptionally chilly nights. The blanket is composed of 100% cotton that feels soft to the touch. The cotton is a long-staple variety, which is known for its superior quality and durability compared to short-staple cotton. The blanket is designed with four gauze layers, resulting in exceptional breathability. You can use this blanket on its own, but it’s also a strong option for sleepers who’d like a blanket to layer on top of a comforter for a touch of additional insulation.

No evidence supports the use of weighted items to increase adaptive behaviors, like seated, on-task behavior. Unsurprisingly, there is limited guidance from our OT leaders at AOTA and AJOT that is specific to compression vests. This means that therapists can wait for guidance to come out, conduct their own research to add to the mix, or follow their next best available guidance. My gut tells me to follow the guidelines from AJOT for weighted vests, noted above. Care & Cleaning: For anyone concerned about staining or cleanliness, a duvet offers the easiest choice. Instead of having to clean the entire blanket, you can just remove the duvet cover on laundry day. Blankets without a cover, on the other hand, range from the easily laundered, such as the many blankets made from synthetic materials, to those requiring careful dry cleaning. Weighted blankets are known for using gentle weight to promote a sense of calmness or relaxation using deep touch pressure stimulation. The sensation of being hugged, swaddled, or gently held may produce a sense of calmness. A weighted blanket may also help you feel safe, secure, or in a protected space, which can be a powerful agent for relaxation, especially before bed (it may make it easier to fall asleep).”

The Boll & Branch Waffle Bed Blanket should appeal to anyone who values sustainability and ethical sourcing. The blanket is constructed from organic cotton that has been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard, and both the fabric and the company’s manufacturing facilities have earned Fair Trade certification. The cotton is cozy and insulating without making the blanket feel too heavy, making it comfortable to use throughout the calendar year. As with other sleep accessories, some blankets use organic natural materials such as wool and cotton, for those interested in making their bedroom more eco-friendly. With a soft duvet cover made from polyester microfiber, this weighted blanket offers a very plush and fleecy feel. The cover is removable, and can be washed and dried at home. Grid-stitching ensures uniform weight distribution. For added stability, the inner blanket is equipped with corner ties and elastic buttons that secure it to the duvet cover and prevent uncomfortable bunching. Gravity Blanket offers seven cover colors, ranging from neutrals to bold blue, purple, and yellow. The inner blanket should only be hand-washed and air-dried. Most weighted blanket covers are removable and can be washed and dried in a household machine. In some cases, the entire blanket can be laundered at home. Alternatively, you may need to spot clean or dry clean your blanket to prevent early wear and tear.The general rule of thumb is to choose a weighted blanket that is roughly 10 percent of your own body weight. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. Realistically, a blanket weighing between 5 and 12 percent of your body weight may be comfortable. The best way to determine your optimal blanket is to test out different weights. I love open-knit designs for weighted blankets. They allow air to circulate, so you shouldn't feel like you're heating up, and they also tend to look nicer draped over the couch. They also don't use beads as filling to make them heavy, so if anything rips, you won't be cleaning up nearly invisible filling forever. Organic cotton and rayon derived from bamboo are highly breathable materials, and the blanket contains glass bead fill for added temperature neutrality. These components make the blanket suitable for people who sleep hot or live in warmer climates, but the cover is also cozy enough for cold weather. One side of the cover has a fleecy texture, while the other is silky-smooth. Machine wash cover only:For these blankets, you’ll need to separate the inner shell housing the beads or pellets from its outer cover. Unless the care instructions say otherwise, you can wash and dry the cover in a machine. Spot-cleaning with water and mild detergent is usually advised for the inner shell.

The blanket is available in six attractive colors — terracotta, white, fog grey, dune, light blue, and olive. You can choose between a full/queen or king/California king size. You may machine wash the blanket in cool water with a mild detergent, then tumble dry on a low heat setting or hang it out to try. Weighted blankets are generally considered safe for children who are at 3 years of age or older and weigh at least 50 pounds. When selecting a blanket for a child, it’s wise to follow the “10 percent rule” or err on the lower side. An excessively heavy blanket can pose an injury risk for children, even if they are 3 or older.

Best Blankets Overview

Some children are able to suddenly sit for 20 minutes at a table doing work while wearing a vest, where previously they were able to sit for barely three minutes. How to clean a weighted blanket depends entirely on that specific model. Weighted blankets generally fall into one of the following categories for cleaning and care:

In a recent article on relaxation breathing, we covered how the autonomic nervous system responds to stimulation that is perceived as dangerous, over-simulating, or anxiety inducing via the commonly referred to signs of “fight, flight, freeze. It is through our limbic system that this occurs. The blanket is available in weights of 12, 15, 20, or 25 pounds, making it ideal for adults between 120 and 250 pounds. The cover and liner feature double-stitched baffles for the beads to distribute their weight evenly across your body. The entire blanket can be laundered in any household machine. Simply wash on a cold, gentle cycle and tumble dry on a low setting. This makes the blanket relatively easy to clean since many competing models are not completely machine-washable. The blanket is available in three weight options – 10, 15, and 20 pounds. These weights are best suited for people who weigh between 100 and 200 pounds. All models measure 48 by 72 inches, which is a good throw blanket size for one adult. The cover is removable and machine-washable, and the blanket carries an affordable price-point compared to similar quality blankets in the same size. If you take the object off for a period of time, then don it again, the stimulus becomes new and recognized. The blanket is made with 100% cotton that feels heavy but does not trap body heat. Thanks to its knit design, the model is a good option for people who tend to run hot during sleep or are looking for a blanket that can be used year-round, including in warmer seasons. Nine color options are available.In my 30 years of experience I have seen countless patients show remarkable results from sensory strategies, especially compression and weight. The change in behavior is often instantaneous. If patients a,b,c, and d have a great outcome while wearing their “superman” vest or “police bullet proof garment”, it matters not if this is a placebo, or actual physical change happening to their central nervous system. If they feel better, have improved attention, and decreased maladaptive behaviors, the vest or strategy is working! The blanket is designed with high-quality glass bead fill encased in a cotton shell. Grid stitching keeps the glass beads in place, resulting in even distribution across the blanket and preventing the fill from bunching up.