When Harkla reached out to us and asked if we’d be willing to let Nick test out their weighted blanket, I jumped at the chance. Weighted blankets as an intervention have been recommended to us since our son was a toddler and diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. I’ve talked about them before here on the blog. Now that Nick is older, I was really excited to get a chance to test a larger blanket. (The weight of the blanket is recommended according to the weight of the user, so toddler-sized blankets no longer work well for our 11-year-old son.)
Harkla sent us their 15-pound weighted blanket with a blue duvet. I love that the cover is removable so it can easily be thrown in the wash.
It is true that these blankets can be pricey. I have a friend who used her tax refund this year to buy one for her daughter. If you are wondering wether or not the investment is really worth it, I’ve put together this post just for you.
What to Consider When Buying a Weighted Blanket
Why are they used?
Feeling the weight of the blanket helps kids with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, and anxiety get a better night’s sleep. The weight creates something called Deep Touch Pressure, which creates a calming effect. You can read more about it here.
Does it really work?
Our family has found that when Nick uses a weighted blanket he is much more likely to sleep through the night, and we see noticeable improvement in his mood the next day. His teacher even commented at our recent parent-teacher conference that Nick seemed much calmer lately and asked if we had made any changes at home.
How heavy should it be?
Harkla says the rule of thumb is 10% of your body weight, plus 1 or 2 pounds. However some kids may prefer a lighter or a heavier blanket, so take personal preference into consideration.
The 15-pound blanket we are using for Nick is recommended for people who weigh 90-150 pounds. I like that it will be able to grow with him for several years until he hits the upper end of that range.
Are they only for kids?
Nope. A lot of adults find that sleeping with weighted blankets helps them sleep better. Some families even use weighted blankets for their pets.
How much do they cost?
A good weighted blanket is an investment. The price is going to vary with the size and weight of the blanket. You can visit the Harkla website here to see the different options they offer.
Is it worth it?
I think that my son’s reaction speaks for itself. He’s been using this blanket for about a week and just a few days in he came to me twice to thank me for it. Straight out of the mouth of an 11-year-old, “Whoa. This thing really helps me sleep. Thanks, mom.”
Would you buy one again?
Absolutely. Honestly, I wish we could afford to have several around the house because I would love to be able to offer weighted blankets to each of the foster children we plan to begin welcoming into our home this summer. For now, I’m considering another order for our 9-year-old who is a big worrier and sometimes kept up at night due to her anxiety over school and friend drama.
If you have any other questions or comments, be sure to leave them below and I’ll do my best to get you the answers.
We were provided with the product for this post, but all opinions are my own.
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I ended up making my own weighted blanket for my son- definitely a bit cheaper but the pre-made ones cost so much cause it is SO much work to make. And can be a mess đŸ™‚
I’m impressed with your mom skills!
We are HEAVY SPD central around here, and our weighted blanket has been a Godsend. I’m so glad this helped you too!
I’m glad your kids are loving theirs too!