FitBrain has you covered - why you should get a weighted blanket!
I wrote a small post about weighted blankets during lockdown level 4. I have since been inundated with messages and questions about them. I have been reading many posts about kids of all ages and sizes filled with anxiety throughout this trying time. And we were one of them. My 5-year-old, completely out of his school routine, had a regression where he just would not go to sleep at night time anymore. And then! Then FitBrain, gave us a solution which I would recommend to anyone. A weighted blanket! I’ve been toying with the idea for years actually and decided since I can’t do anything else during that time to go for it. He has fallen asleep under it calmly every night since we’ve had it and when he is working he puts it on his lap and it somehow calms him too and he concentrates so well.
We were told when he was 3 by an Occupational therapist to try one. Natalie Reynolds (OT) recommends a weighted blanket as a sensory strategy for children who have difficulty with their sensory processing. At that stage I found them to be quite expensive to just try. How I wish I had listened and just tried!
Many professionals from around the world agree that this deep pressure stimulation from a weighted blanket helps relax and soothe the human body. Well, it certainly works here. “The weighted blankets are a wonderful therapy tool which we use for loads of children including those who have poor sensory regulation. It can be used for sleeping but also for self-soothing when a child is upset or overwhelmed. Some children even take their blankets to school and lie them over their laps to provide them with deep pressure throughout the day. This helps them to concentrate and remain calm during their classes” Jess Hawkridge (Physiotherapist).
Signs Your Child May Respond to a Weighted Blanket
- Loves sleeping or laying under piles of blankets or heavy comforters.
- Enjoys crawling into tight spaces or behind furniture
- Has difficulty (even after a lot of physical activity) relaxing and sitting still
- Likes wearing heavy sweatshirts and sweaters
Maybe my 5-year-old is struggling with Sensory processing, maybe he was just anxious, maybe he was overwhelmed... all I know is that when things get a little too much and he regresses or gets very upset, we just curl him up under a weighted blanket and everything seems to feel better. So much so, that my 3-year-old now feels the need to sleep with it too! Suppose that means I will be buying another one.
There are so many suppliers, who to choose? I love FitBrain’s selection not just because they are so helpful but best of all is that they offer personalized colour choices so I had no problem getting his favourite colour!
It is filled with premium 400 - 800 micron glass microspheres. The glass microspheres are too small to break and also scores an 9 on the hardness test (diamonds score a 10). It gives the blanket a smooth feeling, no bumps. And it is completely machine washable with a fixing guarantee for the lifetime of the blanket!
If you are in any way struggling with some sort of anxiety or regression or just feel that perhaps your little one needs a little more reassurance then this definitely is the answer. I know! It helped us in a BIG way!