I Can’t Live Without: His Weighted Blanket
Before AJ began taking Clonidine to help him sleep and before we even tried Melatonin we purchased a weighted blanket from Southpaw Enterprises. We can’t live without it in our home. We use it every night, on long car trips, and even when he needs to calm down in the afternoons.
We purchased the blanket from Southpaw Enterprises because, in my opinion, they are the best blankets made. I have seen many others out there that are made from rice or beans and they are unevenly weighted, are too heavy or too light, get dirty quickly, and just don’t hold up to wear and tear of a toddler.
The Southpaw Weighted Blanket is made of non-toxic steel weights that are laminated into the blanket evenly. The entire surface of the blanket is weighted and still machine washable. You can also purchase (or make) a slipcover if you want to keep it even cleaner.
We have never had to worry about ours getting dirty because ours simply goes over all of the other blankets and stays clean. It washes great in the washing machine and AJ loves it at night.
It is SOOO worth the $100 we spent.
Picture from Southpaw Enterprises.
Tags: can't live without, Sensory Integration, weighted blanketRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Medical, Products I Can't Live Without, Sensory Integration, Sleep, special-needs
4 opinions for I Can’t Live Without: His Weighted Blanket
Wendy Wilson
Jul 3, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Hi! I just ran accross your site a few weeks ago and have been reading religiously! We recently adopted from Russia and have been home for 2 months now. Thanks for posting.
I just wondered if you could tell a little more about the blanket? What clues did you have that this might be something you needed? Was it just sleeping issues in general? Why can’t you live without it?
Wendy
Krissi from Krississippi
Jul 3, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I’ve never heard of a weighted blanket, before. Now that I’m reading/Googling a little about it I’m wondering if it might help some of MY sleep issues!
Marcie
Jul 4, 2008 at 1:00 pm
First, let me thank you for reading and commenting. I love when people comment. It lets me know that people are actually reading my drivel!
Second, congrats on your adoption! How is everything going? Boy or girl? How old?
Third, we love the blanket! In fact, we also have a Bear Hug Vest and are thinking of getting him a tank top as well for his sensory issues. We knew he NEEDED one when we saw an sensory OT who placed him in a ball pit and he INSTANTLY calmed down. It was not an ordinary ball pit but one in which he was entirely covered with balls. To find out if your little one would need one ask your self these questions or use these exercises:
1. Wrap him in a blanket really tight like a burrito or taco. Does he/she love it?
2. give lots of bear hugs during the day. Do you notice a change in his/her behavior on that day compared to other days?
3. Does he/she prefer tight clothing over loose?
4. Does he/she not know the difference between light touch and soft touch?
5. Does he/she have trouble sleeping or falling asleep? If you were to put a heavier blanket on would he do better? Try a think comforter to test this or wrap a blanket tight like a burrito. We used to tuck AJ in like a taco before the blanket but it was not enough. We actually have the 10 pound blanket and double it up for him (folding it in half when it is only supposed to be five pounds on him).
6. Do massages calm him?
At first we could not live without it because it was the only think that helped him sleep. Now he takes sleep medication and that is great. But, we still use it on long car rides and every night. It is a lifesaver for him.
Ali
Jul 5, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I purchased a weighted blanket for daughter from http://www.weightedblanket.net. It was custom made to her weight and size, using the fabrics she likes and she hasn’t missed a night of sleep since she has had it.
I have one on order for myself now. They are wonderful!!
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