Is it Safe for a Child to Use a Weighted Blanket?

After a playful day, or rather a long and stressful one, natural things like sleep should go easy on the young ones. Yet it comes as a surprise to see them going through insomnia, whole nights without a wink. With these afflictions, weighted blankets have come around as remedies.

But now they beg the question, how safe are they? Yes, they are doing away with anxiety and insomnia, truly constructive development but with certain demerits.

Understanding Weighted Blankets

Weighted blankets are all about applying pressure to your body- deep pressure stimulation. It's more like a cuddle which stimulates the production of serotonin a sleep and relaxation associated hormone. As such weighted blankets can remedy stress, anxiety and some behavioral or sensory challenges.

Advantages of Weighted Blankets among Children

Besides pleasant sensations and an immediate calming effect, here are other benefits.

Abates Difficulties in Sleep

Difficulties that weighted blankets tend to do away with include insomnia, anxiety and extreme levels of sensitivity. Weighted blankets are a shortcut to quick and deeper sleep.

Provides a Feeling of Physical Calmness

Weighted blankets do induce pressure on most of your body area. It thus, helps the child feel the closest to a gentle hug and lowers the amount of cortisol in the body, which is known to be the stress hormone.

Good for Sensory Processing Difficulties

The deep touch the blanket will create for children with sensory issues, allows them to experience improved sensory harmony as well as deep pressure across multiple body locations.

Considerations for Weighted Blankets

Although they may be remedies for sleep disorders, weighted blankets are not safe for all children. Following are some of the considerations

Physical Development of Children

Young children can be provided with blankets only when they reach the age of 3, and it might be better to wait until the child is 4. Some children under 3 years of age have a weakness of muscle to enable recoil of the blanket when uncomfortable like a scenario of potential breathing issue due to suffocation.

Weight of the Blanket

Selecting the weight of the blanket is worth considering. The blanket geared to the child should weigh approximately ten percent of the body weight of the child; plus, an extra one or two pounds just to be comfortable with.

For instance, if a child weighs around 50 pounds, then the weighted blanket is ideally 5 to 7 pounds. If a child prefers choosing an overweight blanket, then it might become uncomfortable because it may hinter movements.

Size of the Blanket

Weighted blankets so be large to cover up the body of the child only, there should be no overhanging edges otherwise the stress points will be further increased as well, and the blanket might not be centered in the right fashion. The centering is the most important performance of a calming blanket.

Potential Dangers of Weighted Blankets to Children

Here are some of the risks of using kids weighted blankets.

Suffocation Hazard

In the case of young children or those with restricted movement, a heavy blanket might prevent them from moving and could even smother them.  This tends mostly to happen if the guidelines on weight considerations are not followed.

Difficult Breathing and Overheating

In the worst-case scenario, a weighted blanket might suffocate a child or limit the natural movements of some. As a parent, see to it that your child is comfortable and not getting baked.  

Sensory Sensitivity

Okay, for kids with autism and other sensory-related issues, physicians recommend weighted blankets. The catch? Not every child with these conditions will find the blanket a paradise. Some may find the pressure to be annoyingly intense.

For this reason, this type of blanket should be introduced slowly and with caution as much as possible.

Guidelines for Introducing Weighted Blankets to Your Child

Start Gradually

The body and mind of your child has to adapt. So, try introducing the blanket slowly and for shorter times during the day, and then at night start a gradual increase.

Select the Right Material

If the child's coverlet is made of cotton, choose a cotton covered and soft blanket in coverings and their skin will not get irritated during partial heat.

Monitor Regularly

Always ensure the child can remove the blanket themselves and is comfortable with how it feels and its weight.

Conclusion

From improved sleep, the comforting feel, and peace of mind to reduced anxiety weighted blankets are beneficial. But with kids in question safety is a cause for concern.  If your child has mobility issues, sensory disorders, and autism, get to know what the doctor says.

In general children over the age of 3, a weighted blanket that should match their body weight can be safe and comfortable, provided it is used right.

Further assistance in both weight and size and monitoring by the parents, will help them ensure the weighted blanket not only is safe but also a welcome addition to their child's routine.