What is a weighted blanket and how does it work:
A weighted blanket is a therapeutic blanket that is made with weights to provide proprioceptive (awareness of one's body position in space) input to the body. Those that are “sensory seeking” find that they are able to relax, focus and have a greater awareness of their body while using a weighted blanket. The proprioceptive sense gives us informat
ion about our body’s position and movement via receptors on the skin, in the muscles, joints and ligaments. Those with a poor proprioceptive sense have difficulty interpreting these sensations often resulting in behavior that gives them sensory feedback. They have difficulty switching off and usually do not sleep well at night. This “sensory seeking” behavior can be calmed and controlled by the use of weighted therapy and deep pressure. Like a firm hug, weighted blankets help us feel secure, grounded, and safe...just as a baby feels when being swaddled. A weighted blanket can help you or your child sleep through the night, it can ease anxiety and stress and can improve focus and ease transitions. Adults, teens and children can benefit from weighted blanket therapy. Weighted blankets and Lap Pads can be used to calm down and relax in many different ways by covering the whole body for sleep, wrapping around your shoulders or by laying it across your lap or legs only. My weighted blankets and lap pads are filled with non-toxic Poly-Pellets to provide deep pressure touch stimulation without uncomfortable restriction. The deep pressure from the weight causes the body to produce serotonin and endorphins, which are the chemicals our bodies naturally use to feel relaxed or calm. In combination with the darkness of nighttime, the pineal gland converts serotonin to melatonin, our natural sleep-inducing hormone. We feel a sense of security when swaddled, so having a weighted blanket wrapped around the body eases the mind, allowing for complete relaxation. Think of a weighted blanket as a therapeutic relaxation and sleep device, because it's not made for warmth like we would think of for a regular blanket. It is not meant to hold you down and you can pull the blanket back like you would with a regular blanket, only it's heavier. Weighted therapy is widely used as a safe and effective treatment for sensory integration and has been recommended and safely used in schools, hospitals and at home. Recommended weight for therapy blankets is 10% of body weight +1 pound. Weighted Blankets are helpful in aiding children and adults with:
ADD/ADHD
Agitation
Agressive behaviors
Alzheimer's
Anxiety
Aspergers
Autism
Bi-polar disorder
Brain trauma injuries
Cancer anxiety
Cerebral Palsy
Chemo anxiety
Dementia
Dentist anxiety
Down’s Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Insomnia
Menopause
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Pain
Parkinson’s Disease
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Restless sleep
Restless Legs Syndrome
Rett’s syndrome
Seizure disorder
Sensory Processing Disorder
Tension
Tourette’s syndrome
Williams syndrome
Caring for your weighted blanket:
Machine wash separately in cold water. If your blanket has bright colors that might run, wash the first time in cold water with 1 cup of salt to set the colors. Do not iron. Do not microwave. Do not dry clean. Check your blanket for signs of wear and tear to make sure no weighted pellets can get lose and be eaten. With children, I encourage you to limit the amount of time the weighted blanket is being carried around. I personally only use my blankets during nap and sleep time to keep them nice and to reduce possible tears of the fabric. The weights are permanently placed and cannot be removed or added to at a later time. They are meant to be left in the blanket even during washing. All of my fabrics are 100% cotton and all fabrics are pre-washed and dried to prevent shrinkage. I use hypoallergenic and non-toxic Polypropylene Pellets (a plastic pellet with a high melting point), the most superior weighting material available for weighted blankets. Safety/Disclaimer:
I am not a healthcare professional, physician or licensed therapist and do not provide healthcare services, medical treatment, diagnoses or services. The information referenced herein does not constitute an attempt to provide medical advice or practice medicine. If you or your child are under the care of a licensed therapist, please consult with your therapist before using this product. The blankets and lap pads made by me are to be used with adult supervision. I take great pride in making sure each blanket is carefully constructed with much love, however I do not accept any responsibility for any harm that may occur while using my products. My weights information refers to the weight inside the blanket and is an approximation. It is your responsibility to check your blanket weight and make sure the blanket is of safe weight for the user. It is important to make sure the blanket is being used only for the purpose it is intended and that you regularly check your blanket for signs of wear and tear. I would not suggest using a weighted blanket for anyone who has strength or mobility issues that may make moving the blanket off of them difficult. It is most important the user is able to easily move the weighted blanket from their bodies. IMPORTANT!! I am not a professional. I am just a mom trying to help others. I do not accept any responsibility for any injury that may result from using my products. You should only allow your children to use these items under adult supervision.
