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Weighted blanket too heavy


Weighted Blanket Buying Guide: How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket Be?

A weighted blanket is a heavy blanket that is meant to have a calming effect on the body when you go to sleep. Weighted blankets have grown in popularity in recent years as a form of therapy. They can mimic the feeling of a hug — causing a surge of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin.

Weighted blankets are also called “anxiety blankets” because of the calming effects they can have on those that experience sleep anxiety and other sleep disorders. They can help a variety of different people who experience any of the below symptoms:

  • PTSD
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • ADHD
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Depression
  • Autism

Weighted blankets come in a variety of weights from five to 30 pounds. You may be wondering, how heavy should a weighted blanket be?

We recommend choosing a weighted blanket that is 10 percent of your body weight for optimal comfort. For more information on how to choose the perfect weighted blanket for you, read our buying guide below.

The Casper Weighted Blanket is designed to hug your body and create a cozy, calming feel. It has quilted channels that keep weight evenly distributed and includes breathable cotton that will circulate air away from your body, keeping you cool.

Weighted blankets are filled with plastic poly pellets, steel shot beads, and micro glass beads. They typically weigh around 15 pounds. However, it’s recommended to choose one that will work the best for your body weight, size, and age.

How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket be for Adults?

Determining how heavy your weighted blanket should be is fairly easy. The general weighted blanket guidelines for adults is 10 percent of your own body weight.

Usually, a weighted blanket should be between 12 to 20 pounds for adults. This ensures that the blanket creates a hugging feeling on your body — causing a sense of calmness, reducing stress, and helping you fall and stay asleep more easily. The perfect sized weighted blanket will allow your body to achieve deep sleep, so you wake up feeling well-rested.

  • 120 pounds = 12lb blanket
  • 130 pounds = 13lb blanket
  • 140 pounds = 14lb blanket
  • 150 pounds = 15lb blanket
  • 160 pounds = 16lb blanket
  • 170 pounds = 17lb blanket
  • 180 pounds = 18lb blanket
  • 190 pounds = 19lb blanket
  • 200 pounds = 20lb blanket

You get the idea. Remember that there are always exceptions to every rule. If you don’t feel comfortable with the weighted blanket you have, look for something a little lighter and vice versa. However, it may not provide the same benefits.

What if you fall between two weight recommendations? Many experts recommend rounding up and adding one to two pounds. One study found that more than 10 percent of your body weight can actually be quite calming. However, it’s always best to use your best judgment and choose your personal preference.

You’ll also want to consider your body type. If you’re super petite, you may want to opt for a weighted blanket that is on the lighter side (one to two pounds lighter than the recommended weight). If you’re a bit heavier, choose a heavier blanket.

How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket be for a Child?

The general weighted blanket recommendation for children is 10 percent of your body weight, plus one to two pounds. It’s important to choose the right weight for children so that they stay safe and get the most benefits.

  • 20 pounds = 3–4lb blanket
  • 30 pounds = 4–5lb blanket
  • 40 pounds = 5–6lb blanket
  • 50 pounds = 6–7lb blanket
  • 60 pounds = 7–8lb blanket
  • 70 pounds = 8–9lb blanket
  • 80 pounds = 9–10lb blanket
  • 90 pounds = 10–11lb blanket

Generally, a weighted blanket that is 10 to 25 pounds is too heavy for very young children, and it should go without saying that weighted blankets should be avoided for babies. If you have a child under five years of age, consult a doctor before using a weighted blanket.

How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket be for Older Adults?

The same guideline you use for kids, should be used for older adults as well: 10 percent of your body weight, plus one to two pounds.

As you get older, your age can cause problems with your sleep. If you’re an older adult with respiratory problems or other health conditions like sleep apnea, a blanket that is 10 to 25 pounds may be too dangerous. Always consult your doctor beforehand to make sure you’re choosing the correct size for you.

Can a Weighted Blanket be Too Heavy?

Yes, a weighted blanket can be too heavy if you don’t get the correct size. Weighted blankets that are 35 pounds and over should generally be avoided. If you feel like you can’t move under your blanket, look for one that is lighter.

What About Height?

Height doesn’t play as large of a role as your body weight does in what weight of blanket you should get. It matters more for determining overall size. Just like when choosing the size of your bed, you’ll want a blanket that will work for your height.

If you’re over six feet tall, a twin-sized blanket will likely be too small for you. If you’re on the shorter side, a king-sized blanket would likely be too heavy for you. A good rule of thumb is to choose a weighted blanket that is the same size as you or slightly larger. You want a weighted blanket that will cover your entire body.

If you can, it’s important to choose a weighted blanket that is 10 percent of your body weight or one to two pounds heavier. This ensures you’re getting the most out of your blanket and experiencing the deep touch pressure that will leave you calm and relaxed.

It’s important to note that if you’re someone that sleeps hot, a weighted blanket will likely make you sleep even hotter. If you can, look for one that has moisture-wicking properties and find other creative ways to stay cool at night.

Weighted blankets have a plethora of benefits that can keep you calm and relaxed while falling asleep. If you’re someone who experiences anxiety, restless leg syndrome, or insomnia, or you just love to be as snug as a bug in a rug, then you’ll likely love the effects of a weighted blanket.

Can a Weighted Blanket Be Too Heavy?

By Mari Kurisato — Updated on May 16, 2019

This blanket didn’t work for me, but I think it could for you.

As a disabled mom with spinal stenosis, cerebral palsy, and diabetes, I’m well acquainted with the term known as “painsomnia”— which is to say I can’t sleep easily at night because of pain related to my disabilities and ailments.

So, when Bearaby was nice enough to send me a new weighted blanket to test out, I was very hopeful. Could this be the miracle cure to my painful nights of tossing and turning for hours on end?

Made from some of the softest cotton weave in a net style, the Napper is sold in the 15- to 25-pound range and available in seven beautiful colors, ranging from a light white and soft pink to a dark blue. It’s also warm and gentle to the touch. I can tell the blanket is very well built, as it passed my rugged drag and drop and tearing tests with ease. (Not that I went at it with a knife or anything!)

Caring for it is also easy. It’s machine-washable using the delicate or permanent press cycle with cool to warm water, no more than 86ºF (30ºC). Bearaby suggests laying it flat to dry to avoid stretching the materials.

Ultimately, cutting to the chase, I don’t think the 20-pound version of the Classic Napper is for me. I think if I used a 15-pound or even 10-pound blanket I would have more success. I quite like the concept, but the blanket is about 10 pounds too heavy for my comfort.

The blanket has netting with holes large enough for a small child’s fist to fit through, but it retains warmth really well. I found myself inexorably throwing it off after several minutes every night.

And while the blanket wasn’t painful, it increased the discomfort from my spinal stenosis quite a bit. Despite all its comforting and gentle design, the heavy blanket just didn’t suit my old pain-ridden body very well.

I also have social anxiety, and the weighted blanket didn’t help calm me down so much as suffocate me. Not that it caused me to panic or anything — it was quite the opposite in terms of reading of the couch, for example.

My 8-year-old son, who has ADHD, also enjoyed the blanket but eventually found it too heavy too. I have a feeling if he could use a lighter version every night he might go to sleep faster.

Ultimately, I think this blanket is marketed for younger people who are generally healthier than I am. If Bearaby had a 10-pound blanket I’d probably be a customer. The blanket they sent me to review is very sturdy, very well built, warm, and soft but just too darn heavy for me to be comforting for my health.

Note: I did find an off-label usage for this wonderfully heavy blanket as a foot rest. I have peripheral neuropathy in my feet, which is a burning or “electric shock” sensation that can keep me awake all night. The Napper for my diabetic feet has made a comfortable nonmoving surface for my toes to dig into at night while helping keep them from suffering too much pain. What a relief!

If you don’t find it comfortable, Bearaby has a 30-day return policy, so you’ve got some time before you commit. The company offers three types of blankets, including the Sleeper, a comforter, the Napper (which I tested), and a plant-based version of the Napper called the Tree Napper. Prices range from $199 to $279 for all the blankets. They also offer Sleeper covers for the comforter blankets starting at $89.

P.S. You should know that Healthline, not Bearaby, has compensated me for a review, and this definitely is my honest opinion. Thanks for reading!

Mari Kurisato is a LGBTQi Native American disabled mom living with her wife and son in Denver, Colorado. She can be found on Twitter.

Weighted blanket: benefits and harms, principle of operation, how to choose weight

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In recent decades, sleep has been rethought with new technologies. One of them is weighted blankets. We understand whether they effectively fight insomnia and other problems

How it works

Weighted blankets differ from ordinary blankets in their greater weight: from 2 to 15 kg. The pressure from the extra mass triggers a special effect called Deep Sensory Pressure (DSP). It is believed to be relaxing and may be beneficial to the nervous system, which is why DSP is a key pressure therapy practice that has been used for decades, for example, to treat people with autism spectrum disorders or those with intellectual or mental delays or disabilities. Moreover, DSP can be used not only during sleep: sometimes weighted vests and even special help dogs are used. nine0003

Effect

Volunteers who regularly used weighted blankets as part of the experiment compared their effect to the feeling of being hugged or held in their arms. In recent decades, studies have been conducted repeatedly on how effectively weighted blankets alleviate various symptoms of disorders and diseases. The results of some experiments already indicate that the use of such blankets is useful, since sleeping with them is able to:

  • Alleviate the perception of pain. nine0083 In a recent study, 94 volunteers with chronic pain used either a regular light blanket or a weighted blanket for a week. It turned out that the perception of pain in people from the latter group was facilitated, especially if it was previously accompanied by anxiety.
  • Improve sleep quality. There are many variations of sleep problems with many more causes. Weighted blankets help to cope with them, as the pressure calms and stabilizes the pulse. This makes it easier to fall asleep. nine0084
  • Reduce anxiety . Numerous studies by scientists from different countries have repeatedly proven that weighted blankets help reduce anxiety levels - also by lowering the heart rate.
  • Reassure a person before a frightening event, such as a medical procedure. In several studies, scientists gave weighted blankets to people who were about to have tooth extractions. Their excitement from the upcoming event decreased several times. nine0084
  • Relieve symptoms of depression. In a 2020 Swedish study, 120 volunteers with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and ADHD used weighted blankets for a month. They found that their symptoms of depression (as well as weakness and anxiety) were reduced.

No panacea

But do not think that a weighted blanket is a universal cure for depression or anxiety. It can only alleviate the symptoms. Martin Anthony, professor of psychology at Ryerson University in Toronto, says: “I am absolutely convinced that weighted blankets can be soothing and relaxing for many people. However, this does not mean that they have any long-term effects or that they can be used to fully combat anxiety.” nine0003

Whom the blanket may be harmful for

There are not many risks or potential side effects associated with using weighted blankets. However, do not cover them with children under two years old - for them it can be dangerous. In addition, blankets can negatively affect people with the following problems:

  • Sleep apnea. This condition causes intermittent breathing difficulties at night, and a weighted blanket can exacerbate this problem.
  • Asthma - for the same reason. nine0084
  • Claustrophobia. The fear of closed or cramped spaces may be exacerbated by the weight of the blanket.

How to Determine the Correct Weight for a Weighted Blanket

The weight of a weighted blanket should be approximately 5-10% of your body weight. Its area should not exceed the size of the bed.

  • Adults can use weighted blankets that weigh between 2 and 15 kg.
  • For a child weighing between 9 and 32 kg, a blanket weighing between 1.5 and 3.5 kg is suitable. nine0084
  • For a child weighing up to 60 kg, it is better to use a blanket weighing between 2 and 7 kg.
  • For the elderly, it is better to use a weighted blanket weighing between 2 and 3.5 kg.

Updated on 09.12.2022

Text

Semyon Bashkirov

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nine0000 Does a weighted blanket help fight insomnia and depression

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Studies show that sleep under such a blanket is better and helps reduce insomnia with some health problems.

But such an effect is not always found. Before buying a weighted blanket, you should pay attention to contraindications and read when it will not be useful.

Go to the doctor

Our articles are written with love for evidence-based medicine. We refer to authoritative sources and go to doctors with a good reputation for comments. But remember: the responsibility for your health lies with you and your doctor. We don't write prescriptions, we make recommendations. Relying on our point of view or not is up to you.

What is a weighted blanket

The first weighted blankets were designed for children with autism spectrum disorders. Then the first results of small studies appeared that constant pressure can reduce anxiety, anxiety and insomnia. nine0003

Weighted Blankets and Sleep in Children with Autism - American Academy of Pediatrics

Weighted blankets typically weigh between 2 and 15 kg. But there are models with more weight. Manufacturers recommend using a blanket weighing about 10% of the body weight of the person who will sleep under it. These blankets are of two types.

Quilted. They have a lot of pockets into which the weighting agent is poured. It can be plastic, metal or glass balls, as well as any bulk filler, such as buckwheat husks. In such models, you can change the weight of the filler to adjust the blanket for you. nine0003

Knitted. They are made from dense yarn and weigh more than usual, but less than quilted models.

In case of increased sensitivity to sounds, it is better to choose a filler that does not rustle when moving, such as glass beads. And when choosing the main material, you should focus on personal and climatic features. For example, a blanket made of bamboo is better for sleeping in the heat, and if in doubt, you can take an out-of-season fabric - breathable cotton.

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The cost of a quilt depends on the type of filler, base fabric and manufacturer's brand. Therefore, even blankets with the same weight and other characteristics may differ in price.

How the weighted blanket works

The blanket presses against the surface of the body when falling asleep and during sleep. Such pressure can be considered one of the varieties of deep pressure therapy - deep pressure therapy. It includes intense massage, strong hugs and swaddling. nine0003

With such an impact, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated: it slows down the heartbeat, reduces the respiratory rate and the level of cortisol, the stress hormone. This increases the production of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that further reduce the effects of cortisol. It may improve the quality of sleep.

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  • improve body awareness and coordination;
  • reduce anxiety and reduce stress;
  • give a feeling of comfort and safety;
  • improve sleep quality and concentration;
  • soothe and relax before sleep.

But there have been no large studies on this topic, and it is still difficult to say for sure that deep pressure therapy works this way. In a small experiment, those who used a weighted blanket had reduced symptoms of insomnia, as well as anxiety and depression. nine0003

But such manifestations may be the result of improved sleep. In this case, any other way to cope with insomnia can help, and there is no direct connection with the use of a weighted blanket. Other studies show that insomnia worsens depression.

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More, larger studies are needed to find out how beneficial weighted blankets actually are. In the topic of sleep and insomnia, the placebo effect can play a big role. If a person is sure that such a blanket helps to fall asleep, his sleep may improve - this complicates the study. nine0003

Who can benefit from a weighted blanket

Weighted blankets can be used for certain types of illnesses and disorders. These include:

  • autism spectrum disorders. A heavy blanket can help you focus on one stimulus, distract you from other environmental stimuli, and help you fall asleep more quickly;
  • insomnia. The number of night awakenings and sudden movements in sleep decreases;
  • anxiety and depression. Lack of sleep worsens these disorders, and increased anxiety and depression exacerbate insomnia. A weighted blanket can help break this vicious circle; nine0084
  • ADHD and bipolar disorder. Reduces signs of fatigue during the day and anxiety, and improves sleep.

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In addition, a healthy person can sleep under a weighted blanket - if he is so comfortable.

But in some cases, weighted blankets can be dangerous. Do not cover a small child with them. It is important that the baby can fully control the movements in a dream and be able to get out from under a heavy blanket. It is better not to cover children under one year old at all during sleep. In addition, the filler can get into the child's respiratory tract. nine0003

/swaddling-babies/

Is swaddling really good for babies?

If you have any chronic diseases or conditions, you should consult your doctor before purchasing a weighted blanket. For example, it can increase the frequency of attacks in bronchial asthma and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, as well as increase the manifestations of claustrophobia.

Other things to help you sleep and calm down

A weighted blanket is not a cure-all for anxiety, insomnia, or depression. It may relieve symptoms, but it has no long-term effects. In addition, it is important to consider personal preferences. It may be too hard, uncomfortable or hot for someone to sleep under such a blanket. nine0003

Other ways to improve sleep can be tried before making a purchase: