Understanding Weighted Blankets

Weighted blankets have been recommended by professionals for years to help children with calming, relaxation, and sleeping for years, but recently they have entered the mainstream, which has lead to a proliferation of different types of blankets. These blankets come with extra filling stitched inside that give the blanket its name. The function of the weighted blanket is to mimic a therapeutic technique called deep pressure stimulation. Deep pressure stimulation is firm and gentle squeezing provided through hugs, hands, special massage tools, compression clothing, or weighted blankets that provide pressure, which helps to relax the nervous system.

If you search the internet for “best weighted blankets”, you will find lists prepared by various organizations, and while you may find one or two blankets that reside on more than one list, most do not. This makes shopping for weighted blankets confusing, and with so much variety out there, it can be frustrating trying to sort through all the information. The bottom line is that what works for one child may not work for another because each child has a unique and distinct profile. Therefore, it’s difficult to utilize a “best” list in selecting a blanket for your child. Below is some information to help you weed through the jungle of information on this topic.

Can They Be Used by Everyone?

If your child is under the age of four, consult with your pediatrician, occupational therapist, and other health care professionals prior to purchasing a weighted blanket. Manufacturers have indicated to never use a weighted blanket for a child less than two years of age, as it can increase the risk of suffocation (Weighted Blankets and Sleep in Autistic Children—A Randomized Controlled Trial | American Academy of Pediatrics (aappublications.org), How to Choose a Weighted Blanket | Mosaic Weighted Blankets). In addition, a weighted blanket may also be unsuitable for people with certain conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, claustrophobia, children still exploring objects with their mouths, kids with severe developmental disabilities/delays, limited limb mobility, and chronic respiratory/circulatory conditions, to name a few. As a result, always check with your child’s pediatrician before purchasing and using a weighted blanket.

Occupational therapist Heidi Clopton OTR/L states that weighted blankets are usually weighted at 10 percent of the child’s body weight plus one pound for baseline weight.

Options for Weighted Blankets. There are several options when it comes to fillings and fabrics. No one filling or fabric is the right one; it depends on the child’s needs. Below is an overview of fillings and fabrics.

Fillings. The two most popular and available fillings are glass microbeads and plastic poly pellets. In addition, chunky knit and ceramic beads have arrived on the scene. Steel Shot is also another quality filling but is not as common. Below are the pros and cons of each type of filling:

Glass Microbeads

Pros: Glass microbeads are smoother over the body (tiny size & weight result in more density), and more luxurious (smooth & consistent shape). In addition, they are make less noise when moving around, and this type of filler avoids the initial odor that can sometimes accompany plastic poly pellet blankets.

Cons: This type of filler can be more expensive than plastic poly pellets, and there have been reports of leakage in some blankets. Therefore, be sure to purchase from a high-quality company. Although you can find some companies that have several different fabrics for kids blankets, there is considerably less variety than plastic poly pellet blankets.

Ceramic Beads

Pros: Ceramic beads are made from tiny particles of ceramics, mixed within a solution and gel to form a nanoparticle. These ceramic beads are very small, light, strong, and flexible. This filler is sewn into smaller grids sealing the beads in place, and thus, do not move around, and will not cluster or make noise. As a result, the blanket will lay smoothly with even weight distribution, and is appropriate for sensory defensive children.

Cons: Ceramic beads are a relatively new filler and aren’t as readily available as other fillers, but they really don’t have any flaws.,

Steel Shot

Pros: Steel shot is larger and heavier than any other filler, so it takes less to achieve the desired weight. Due to their size, they are less likely to leak through the stitches. However, leaks are not common in high-quality blankets. Steel shot is very durable and they never wear out.

Cons: Steel shot can be noisy, and therefore, not the best choice for a child with auditory hypersensitivity.

Plastic Poly Pellets

Pros: Pellet fillers are typically made with polypropylene plastic (type 5 plastic that is considered safe and non-toxic). They are less expensive than glass microbeads and come in a variety of fun fabrics for kids. These blankets can sometimes be better for kids who are sensory seekers as the clumpier blankets provide more tactile input.

Cons: This filler is not typically good for sensory defensive children as the blankets are clumpier, will not lay smoothly on the body, and therefore, will have more contact with the skin. They make more noise when they move around and can sometimes give off an initial odor, which will typically abate after airing it out.

Knit Yarn

Pros: The big open weave tends to breath well and is cooler. The weight is more uniformly distributed as the weight is tied to the yard and not to filler, and the yarn is soft. Knit blankets are very fashionable and stylish.

Cons: These types of blankets are typically more expensive, and the majority are dry clean or hand wash.

 Fabrics. There are typically 3 fabrics that are readily available and utilized abundantly in weighted blankets.

• Cotton fabric is a cooler fabric and thus, good for children who are warm-natured, or live in a warm environment. In addition, cotton is good for sensory defensive children since it is a natural fiber and smooth.

• Plush minky fleece fabrics is both warm and soft, and good for cold-natured children. You can also get fabrics that are great for sensory seekers, like the raised dot minky fabric. Minky fabrics are also great for sensory defensive children since they are smooth and soft.

• CoolMax/Bamboo are fabrics popular with warm-natured children, or children that live in an environment that is warm. For hot sleepers, this fabric has multiple benefits over cotton, as it wicks moisture away from the body and facilitates air circulation keeping the body cool.  

• Organic and Eco-friendly blankets are another category of fabrics. There are a few great choices out there (Visit the Resource Page, Weighted Blankets for a list of organic and eco-friendly blankets). The main fabrics used in these types of blankets are: Organic Cotton, Oeko-Tex Cotton, Organic Bamboo Lyocell, Oeko-Tex Bamboo Viscose, and Linen.

While bamboo is a wonderful natural fiber, for those who are very eco-friendly minded, be aware that there is a key difference between Bamboo Viscose (a.k.a. Rayon) and Bamboo Lyocell, which is the solvent process used to dissolve the plant-based material. Viscose bamboo uses a chemical (Sodium Hydroxide) as the solvent in order to dissolve the plant pulp. Lyocell bamboo uses an organic solvent to dissolve the plant pulp, allowing the water and solvent to be recovered and re-used in a "closed-loop", environmentally friendly process. You can read more about this here: Lyocell vs Viscose Bamboo – LUXOME.

 At this point, you are probably wondering what Oeko-Tex is?  Oeko-Tex is not a fabric, but a standard that signifies that a material has passed inspection for harmful substances in each processing phase. The limits in this standard go beyond the strict requirements by law. You can read more about Oeko-Tex material here: All about Oeko-Tex Fabrics - Dragonfly Fabrics, Dress Fabric for Designers UK.

Some blankets will come with a duvet cover, and others come with the option to purchase separately. There are many combinations to choose from. For example, the blanket may be made of cotton (a cooler fabric) but come with a minky duvet cover that can be utilized for added warmth. Another option is that some blankets will utilize two fabrics, with one side a cooling fabric and the other a warm fabric.. Also, check the care instructions for the blanket. Some blankets are hand wash, others dry clean, and still others machine washable. Some blankets may be hand wash, but come with a duvet cover that is washable. There are so many options that it can be dizzying trying to navigate through them. It will help to narrow the field if you choose what filler and fabrics you would like.

Weighted blankets should ideally have multiple layers. Ideally, you should pick one that has seven layers. The layers provide protection against the blanket leaking beads or filler at some point. It also allows enough padding to make the blanket more comfortable. Also, check the care instructions.

Summary. Your choices should reflect your child’s unique profile and your budget. For example, is the child a hot sleeper, or a cold sleeper. Is the child a sensory seeker or is he sensory defensive (or in some cases both)? Are you looking for organic and eco-friendly blankets? Lastly, remember because each child has their own unique set of needs, blanket choices should revolve around those needs, so the blanket has the best chance of success. Happy Shopping!