While it depends on an individual’s needs, a weighted blanket does work and can certainly help!
A weighted blanket uses a unique, low risk, high reward tactic called “pressure therapy.” Pressure therapy works by adding a calming amount of pressure across your entire body. Weighted blankets recreate the positive feelings we get from a hug, a swaddle, or a cuddle.
The pressure from a weighted blanket prepares your body for rest by calming your heart rate and breathing. This signals your body to calm down enough to get to sleep and help you wake up refreshed.
We found that Penn Medicine reports weighted blankets possibly helping with the following conditions:
First off, you’re not alone if you toss and turn. An estimated 20 million Americans have trouble falling asleep. Close to 40 million U.S. citizens report long-term sleep disorders.
The pressure from weighted blankets prepares your body for rest by calming your heart rate and breathing. The pressure lulls your body to calm down enough that it can get the sleep it needs. This restful sleep helps you can wake up feeling refreshed. The “pressure therapy” effect is the main benefit of a weighted blanket.
Academic studies and sleep clinics on the subject indicated several findings:
– A notable decrease in time to fall asleep.
– An increase in restfulness scores after participants used a weighted blanket as a sleep aid.
– Useful as sensory aids for neurodivergent children and adults alike.
– Reductions in anxiety and stress levels.
Pressure therapy and sensory positivity help reduce cortisol levels and improve feelings of wellness. Even so, their efficacy as anxiety/stress aids weighted blankets will vary based on an individual’s needs. Some, like ours, also have dotted textures and tactile fabrics to help lean into these benefits further.
The additional pressure of a weighted blanket helps lull your autonomic nervous system to a more peaceful “rest” status. The soothing effect on your ANS is the result of applied pressure therapy provided by the blanket. The calming of the ANS in turn reduces some of the symptoms of anxiety, such as a quickened heart rate or breathing. This also tends to provide an overall sense of calm that is an effective tool in relieving tension, anxiety, & stress.
While there aren’t many truly negative effects, there are some critics. These critics often report:
– It takes time to acclimate to the added weight.
– Weighted blanket benefits are not immediate.
– It is subjective whether or not a weighted blanket relieves anxiety & stress.
– Weighted blankets constrict my movement or are too heavy.
– Weighted blankets are too hot to use at night.
Some new users of certain brands report feeling hotter than a normal blanket. This is due to using a non-breathable material or non-removable cover.
The last negative effect is unfortunately on your wallet. Costs to manufacture are higher than normal blankets due to the bead filling needed and high weight.
No, a weighted blankets do not cause health problems when used appropriately and as intended.
Weighted blankets are not recommended for babies and young children (ages 0-2) or pets under 20 lbs. Even light weight on their smaller bodies can block airways.
When using a weighted blanket, there’s no issue with it hanging off of the edge. However, since the weight in these blankets comes in the form of pockets filled with beads, prolonged hanging could stretch the blanket.
Sleeping with it off the edge a little (or a lot) is perfectly fine. Sleep however you’re comfortable! Just be sure to store it where it won’t hang so you can enjoy it for longer.
While there is a science (and a formula) behind the ideal ratio of body weight to blanket weight of about 10-15% of a person’s body weight, we do truly feel this boils down to a matter of personal preference.
Having too much or too light weight for comfort is more important than being within the range specification.After all, you rest and sleep best in peak comfort — which is the point of the blanket.
The ideal weight of a weighted blanket truly depend on the person’s needs. We usually recommend 10% to 20% of your body weight. 15-lb twin/full and 25-lb queen are the most popular options we offer.
Some people prefer heavier weighted blankets if they feel they need the high pressure or want to share the blanket with a loved one (splitting the weight). Others prefer lighter ones to feel embraced but not constricted in movement. Like most comfort and sleep aids, we recommend starting with the formula and adjusting for personal preference within the range.
All in all there’s no right or wrong here — choose the size, weight, & color that makes the most sense for you!
Most weighted blankets are made using beads or fabric filling to create the weighted effect. This unfortunately means they can be difficult to wash by machine or by hand.
Since a cover is easier to wash, we not only recommend one with any weighted blanket you use, but we even include a minky dotted two-tone duvet cover! Use the minky-dotted cover and simply remove to wash. This keeps the inner weighted portion lasting even longer with less washes. It also maintains freshness and cleanliness for longer.
Infinite Comforts weighted blankets are machine washable with tumble or hang drying. We designed your new weighted blanket to be comfortable and convenient no matter how you want to use it.
Great question and one we see everyone have when shopping for a weighted blanket. Weighted blankets range in price so greatly due to a wide variety of materials, configurations, quality standards, & included accessory items.
Big box retailers have flooded the market with inexpensive (less than $100) weighted blankets. They make these blankets with cheaper fabrics (high polyester, low- or no-cotton blends). They also design them with low-durability uncomfortable materials (such as fabric stuffing instead of beads). These blankets are often barely heavier than a comforter and sag/bunch fast due to older designs/materials.
A well-designed and quality material built weighted blanket is well worth their premium. They often last longer, have anti-bunch and anti-sag technologies such as pocket sizing and fabric hooks for the removable duvet cover, and honestly just plain feel luxuriously soft and warm.
We made our weighted blankets with bamboo fabric and weight them with beads inside the stitched pockets.
Why did we choose bamboo? Bamboo is both warming and breathable simultaneously. Bamboo fabric is also durable enough to machine wash with hang or tumble dry. Most importantly, for a more exotic fabric, it not only carries those traits, but it also looks and feels like luxurious silk (or faux mink if using the duvet cover).
The included duvet covers are made of a polyester/cotton blend for durability, strength, and intended for more frequent washing while being machine dry safe.
Lastly, we manufactured the carrying bags using PVC.
It is a common misconception that bamboo fabric is misconceived as hard as the plant it came from. But fortunately that isn’t the case at all.
Bamboo fabric is made in a number of flavors, but the most common is a rayon-like fiber made from bamboo. Even better than rayon, the end result is that bamboo fabric is a cross between the smoothness and comfort of silk with the durability//warmth of a breathable cotton/poly blend.
Most people that switch to a weighted blanket acclimate to the weight within 7 days. We less commonly receive reports of acclimating to the added pressure between 30-90 days.
At first, new users often feel cocooned in warmth and comfort. Some even report feeling a little constricted at first. That’s completely normal and okay — especially for those who toss and turn often! The extra weight gently incentivizes your body to remain at rest and in a neutral position. Feeling settled is one of the many ways a weighted blanket uses pressure therapy. It’s also one way it helps achieve restful sleep faster among the many other wellness effects at play.
Yes, you can! Fortunately we designed our weighted blankets were to be machine washable with tumble or hang dry.
We also included a removable minky-feel dotted duvet cover that can be machine washed or dried. Using the cover not only helps keep it clean, but also adds warmth for colder nights!
Like any blanket, a weighted blanket will also increase temperature of the user. How much warmth is comfortable depends on the climate and preference of the user.
Our weighted blankets will certainly keep you in a nice bubble of warmth whether using the blanket by itself or with the included duvet cover for extra heat. The breathable bamboo blanket is self-regulating in temperature and perfect for warmer climates by itself. If it gets colder or you live in a harsher climate, pop it into the duvet cover and you’re ready to drift off to sleep.
Great to see so many safety minded parents doing their due diligence by asking this question! Weighted blankets are not recommended for ages 0-2.
At those ages, a weighted swaddle is marketed instead, though sometimes controversial among child sleep experts. While they do have calming benefits, as soon children can roll but not yet return, the weight can be dangerous to their airways.
Because even limited risk is some risk, children under age 6 should not use a weighted blanket without adult supervision.
Yes, absolutely! Weighted blankets can be used for most four-legged pets or livestock with relative ease. Not only do they enjoy the pressure, but it certainly has a calming effect on even the rowdiest.
Size according to the size of the animal. Minimal weight is also recommended for their comfort.
Dogs and horses commonly user of weighted blankets! The pressure keeps them calm when in stressful situations or loud noises. The best uses for our pet 5-lb weighted blanket are fireworks around July 4 Independence Day, New Years, or even during storms/tornadoes/hurricanes.
As far as which other animals benefit, less data is available on more exotic species.
Weighted blankets are safe when weight-appropriate. Even so they are not recommended for children ages 0-2 years or pets under 15 lbs.
Yes, they make great gifts. Almost everyone loves their weighted blanket once they try one.
While Infinite Comforts weighted blankets are make great gifts for any occasion, here are some common situations:
– Birthday gifts
– Graduation gifts
– Mother’s Day / Father’s Day gifts
– Holiday gifts for family/friends of all ages
– Real estate closing gifts
– Business deal closing gifts
– Holiday gifts for business partners or employees