Weighted blankets for children and babies - a natural way to feel safe and sleep better

Blog post from midwife and baby/child motor skill instructor Nina Ohm.
The midwife behind the Instagram profile: Jordemoderibyen

Many parents find that their babies or children have difficulty with calming down, especially during periods where the babies or children have restless movements. One solution that has become popular is using weighted blankets. But what makes these weighted blankets so special and how can they help your child?

What is a weighted blanket?

A weighted blanket is a blanket designed to provide an even, soft pressure on top of the body. This is achieved by filling the blanket with materials such as, for example, glass beads, which simulates the feeling of being embraced - like a good constant hug. This form of pressure is called deep pressure stimulation and it has a calming effect on people’s nervous systems.

How do weighted blankets help children?

1. Soothes restless movements

Restless movements in babies and children can manifest as constant motions, restlessness and difficulties in falling asleep. This is often due to a need for sensory stimulation. Weighted blankets offer the necessary deep pressure stimulation which can help to soothe the nervous system and reduce this restlessness.

2. Improves the quality of sleep

Touch and pressure from, for example, a weighted blanket promotes the production of the love and happiness hormone, oxytocin. Oxytocin can have a calming effect on the body and reduce the production of cortisol, the stress hormone.

Oxytocin and melatonin (which is a sleep-promoting hormone) are closely connected.
As oxytocin can contribute to relaxation and stress reduction, this creates better conditions for melatonin being optimally released and thus creating a higher quality of sleep.

3. Reduces anxiety and stress

The constant feeling of a gentle pressure from the weighted blanket can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress in children. This is particularly beneficial for children with sensory challenges or diagnoses such as ADHD, anxiety and autism.

4. Promotes a sense of safety

Weighted blankets simulate the feeling of being hugged which can make children feel more safe and secure. This can be particularly useful at bedtimes or in periods with a lot of impressions and changes.

Conclusion:

Weighted blankets can be a valuable tool for babies and children who have restless movements, sleep problems or anxiety. With the deep pressure stimulation, the weighted blankets help to soothe the nervous system, promote a higher quality of sleep and create a sense of security. If your child has challenges with calming down or sleeping well, it could be worth considering a weighted blanket as a natural and non-pharmaceutical solution.

Personal account:

My oldest son aged 3 1/2 loves his “hugging blanket” which is what we call the weighted blanket from Membantu. My son has very restless movements and a strong need for feeling secure, and this means that he prefers to sleep in his parents’ arms all night. After we bought a weighted blanket the entire family sleeps better.

My youngest son who is almost 6 months old sometimes has restless movements - like all babies do. When he started kicking off his blanket while sleeping, we used the weighted teddy bear to cover the blanket so that it was not so easy to kick off. This improved his sleep and he stayed warm during the cold winter period.