Weighted blankets have been recommended by Occupational Therapists for decades. What makes them therapeutic is the pressure it applies to the body which has a calming effect on the brain. This would fall under the category of proprioception input (deep pressure to the joints and muscles to provide a sense of body awareness with the added bonus of creating a tranquil mind). To learn more about our sense of proprioception, check out our Mp3 “The 5 Most Effective Proprioception Strategies”.
In order for weighted blankets to be effective, it should be approximately 10% of the child’s total body weight. It can be used at night and also used at school for a needed sensory break. It can be folded and used as a lap pad during school, at home during homework time or while waiting at the doctor’s office.
I also love the feel and design of these Tranquility Weighted Blankets. The texture is like a soft velour and the colors are solid and muted. Unlike former weighted blankets, the Tranquility Weighted Blanket’s cover is removable and washer/dryer safe!
I found that my son who has special needs woke up refreshed after a night using his weighted blanket. Without the weighted blanket, he would chomp & grind his teeth while sleeping. That was a clear sign of seeking proprioception input (deep pressure). When using the weighted blanket, he would sleep quietly and wake up in a good mood. This of course set the tone for a good school day.
I now have my own personal 20 lb Tranquilty Weighted Blanket. Why not?! Life can be stressful with all of our parental, personal and professional responsibilities. Any individual, special needs or not, with the following challenges could benefit from a Tranquility Weighted Blanket:
Anxiety
Sleep Disturbances
ADHA
Sensory Seekers (kidz who seek deep pressure by chewing on their clothes or grinding their teeth, roughhousing, frequently crashing to the floor)
Precautions: Babies and older kidz who are immobile should not use this blanket due to the risk factor of suffocating. An alternative is swaddling the baby or child in a standard blanket. The pressure from the swaddling would give the impression of a big bear hug which will have a calming effect on the brain.