The best weighted blankets and how they can help your child’s sleep
A blanket that feels like a big hug? Yes please.
Every parent understands the struggle of putting a restless child to sleep and ensuring they are able to sleep through the night. While routines such as warm milk, reading books at bedtime and regulating the room temperature can work for some, others may still find it difficult to help their child fall asleep and stay asleep.
Sleep is an incredibly important aspect of everyone’s life. For children, in particular, it is a crucial contributor to their development. Sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on your child’s health and cause irritability, increased anxiety and stress, and difficulty in learning. It is more important than ever for parents to find natural sleep remedies that work for their child.
One effective sleeping help for children over three years of age is a blanket or bedcover weighted at up to 10 per cent of the child’s body weight. The pressure stimulated by applying weight to their body, through heavy bed covers or blankets, can be a game changer for children’s sleep.
Here’s a look at some of our favourite weighted blankets for children…
2024’s top weighted blankets for children
- Pokémon Oodie Weighted Blanket 4.5kg, $159 (usually $189), Oodie (here’s why)
- Buzio Weighted Blanket 2.3 kg, $58.50, Amazon AU (here’s why)
- BK Adura Weighted Blanket 2.8kg, $119.99, Big W (here’s why)
The best weighted blankets for children 2024
1. Pokémon Oodie Weighted Blanket 4.5kg
from $159 (usually $189) at Oodie
Best for fans of Pokémon
Liven up your kid’s room (or the couch) with this colourful weighted Pokémon blanket from everyone’s favourite oversized hoodie brand.
Perfect for older kids (and adults) who are fans of Pikachu and friends, this ultra-soft, ultra-snug minky soft fabric is ideal when your child needs to feel comforted or when they are settling down to sleep at night.
Key features:
- Weight: 4.5kg. It’s recommended to choose a weighted blanket that is 10% of you weight.
- Oodie Weighted Blankets are 198 x 121cm. One per person is suggested for optimal weight distribution and comfort.
- Made from ultra-soft minky plush fabric outer with an internal polyester layer.
- The dual layers are designed to retain heat so you stay warmer for longer.
- Eco-friendly glass beads are sewn into separate blanket pockets to disperse weight evenly over your body.
- Not suitable for children under 3 years old.
- Consider consulting your GP if using alongside serious medical conditions.
- Ensure you can safely lift the blanket before use.
- Do not use near open flames.
- If the blanket rips or leaks, dispose immediately. Do not ingest beads.
Available at:
- $159 (usually $189) at Oodie
2. Buzio Weighted Blanket 2.3 kg
from $58.50 from Amazon AU
Best for providing a constant cuddle-like pressure
The Buzio weighted blanket gives kids a never-ending hug to calm them down.
One side is made from breathable cotton to keep them dry and comfy, while the other side boasts super soft minky material for extra warmth.
The blanket can also be wrapped in quilt covers with which children are familiar thanks to the 8 interior corner straps.
Key features:
- Premium cotton top and the minky dotted reverse offers all-natural solution for tight sleep of kids.
- Blanket dimensions: 120 x 91cm
- Weight: 2.3 kg – ideal for children weighing up to 30kg and over 3 yrs. The weight should be 10% of your child’s body weight.
- 100% breathable cotton top and soft minky dot reverse
- Non-toxic odour less beads
- Original 7-layer design for ideal beads locking and even weight distribution
- Offer constant and stable pressure
- 8 interior corner straps
- Multiple lovely patterns and sizes available
- Suitable for all seasons
Available at:
- $58.50 from Amazon AU
3. HOSUKKO Weighted Blanket, 2.27kg
from $47.49 at Amazon AU
Best for feeling snug and secure while sleeping
This adorable blanket is bound to help children to feel secure and to fall asleep quicker – and stay snoozing for longer.
For the safety and comfort of children, it’s made from 100 per cent microfiber material that’s super soft and breathable.
Key features:
- Made from 100% microfiber, soft and breathable.
- The filler is environmental friendly and non-toxic glass beads.
- The 7-layer structure and strong stitching prevent the glass beads from missing or moving freely when the heavy blanket is used.
- The weighted blanket can be fixed on various quilt covers through four corners of the loops
- Suitable for all seasons
- Weight: 2.27kg – the weight of the blanket should not exceed 10% of the child’s weight.
- Dimensions: 121.92 x 91.44 x 0.03 cm
- Available in a range of designs, including blue dinosaur
Available at:
- $47.49 at Amazon AU
Catch AU
4. BK Adura Weighted Blanket 2.8kg
from $93.78 at Catch AU
Best for glowing in the dark
Filled with safe, odour-free glass beads and crafted with a six-layer design, this weighted blanket will keep your child feeling like their embraced in a warm hug.
The plush cover also glows in the dark, making bedtime a magical adventure.
Key features:
- 95 x 125cm
- Weight: 2.8kg – the weight of the blanket should not exceed 10% of the child’s weight.
- Made from polyester
- Odour-free glass beads
Available at:
- from $93.78 at Catch AU
4. Barbie Camper playset
$79 (usually $154.99) at Amazon
Hit the road to adventure with the Barbie Dream Camper featuring an epic slide, 7 play areas and everything imaginations need to play out the ultimate camping trip. The camper van is the perfect addition to playtime rolling beside the Barbie Dreamhouse.
Key features:
- Rolling wheels and a two-seater cab inspire fun travel play
- Contains a kitchen, dining area, sleeping area, bathroom, pool, slide, fire pit and more
- Ladder for Barbie to slide into the pool
- Over 60 accessories including a sheet of bumper stickers for fun customisation, two pet puppies, furniture, kitchen tools, cosy blankets and more
Shopping for a weighed blanket for your child? Follow these tips…
Consider weight of blanket:
Look for a blanket that is around 10% of your child’s body weight. This ensures effectiveness without being too heavy. If you weigh 25kg-49kg then select a 4.5kg Blanket; 50kg-94kg select a 6.8kg Blanket or 95kg+ select a 9.0kg Blanket.
Weighted blankets are generally not recommended for children under the age of 3:
This is because infants and toddlers may not have the motor skills or cognitive abilities to easily remove the blanket if they become uncomfortable or if it interferes with their breathing.
Additionally, there is a risk of suffocation or overheating with any type of blanket, especially for very young children who may not be able to reposition themselves if they become trapped under the weight of the blanket.
Safety first when choosing a weighted blanket:
Opt for blankets with secure stitching and evenly distributed fillings like glass beads to prevent shifting or leakage. Also choose soft, hypoallergenic fabrics that are gentle on your child’s skin. Breathable materials like cotton or bamboo are great options.
Ensure the blanket fits your child’s bed comfortably. Also, consider if they have any preferences for colours or patterns to make bedtime more inviting.
Ease of cleaning:
Check if the blanket is machine washable or if it requires special care. Easy maintenance is key for busy parents.
Consult with experts and look for companies that offer trial periods
If your child has sensory issues or specific therapeutic needs, it’s wise to consult with a health practitioner for their recommendations.
Some companies offer trial periods or return policies. Take advantage of these to ensure the blanket is the right fit for your child’s needs and preferences.
5 reasons why weighted blankets are benefical for children
Davie Fogarty, the founder of Calming Blankets, shares five reasons why weight can be beneficial to your child’s sleep, mind and behaviour.
1. Improves your child’s sleep quality
Applying weight over your child’s body can provide deep pressure stimulation, a common technique used by occupational therapists. A weighted cover’s pressure on one’s body has the same effect as gentle squeezing or hugging, and can relax and calm the mind to help children fall asleep. Weight can also prevent excessive movement, ensuring your child won’t toss and turn throughout the night and can continue sleeping.
2. Provides proprioceptive input
The pressure from weight can also provide proprioceptive input – the body’s ability to sense its location, movements and actions. Proprioceptive input is vital for children as it assists with coordination, posture and provides them with the ability to focus and be attentive. Difficulty processing proprioception can be detrimental for children and might result in poor fine motor skills, clumsiness, trouble keeping balance, poor sleep and the inability to regulate one’s mood.
3. A weighted blanket provides comfort as well as warmth
No matter the method you use to apply weight to your child’s body, ensure it is made from soft, natural fibres to reduce skin irritation. Source blankets or covers that are non-abrasive and comfortable for your child, to help them relax and enjoy good quality sleep. There are many heavy bed covers on the market that are made from lightweight natural fabrics, such as bamboo, which can be temperature regulating and suitable to use during warmer weather.
4. Calming blankets are not recommended for children under 3
Deep pressure stimulated through weight is safe. However, parents should be aware that weight is not recommended for children under three years of age, due to the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Before purchasing any heavier covers or blankets, it is also important to ensure your child is able to lift or carry an item of an equivalent weight. If you are unsure or your child has abnormal sleeping difficulties, seek advice from your healthcare professional before weighting their bedcovers.
5. Beneficial for children with sensory disorders
Sensory disorders, such as autism and ADHD, are not uncommon and can affect an estimated 1 in 20 Australian children. Weight is often used as a therapeutic tool for children with sensory disorders, as it can help reduce levels of cortisol (the hormone responsible for stress) and increase serotonin (the “happy” hormone, responsible for regulating mood). By decreasing the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response, deep pressure applied through weight can help ease your child’s meltdowns or assist them when they’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed. When these feelings start to arise, parents can apply pressure to their child’s body or use a weighted blanket for about 20-30 minutes. In fact, deep pressure has been found to be beneficial for children with autism and other sensory disorders, helping them feel calmer, communicate better and be more engaged.
Applying weight evenly over your child’s body can be achieved using weighted blankets. These blankets can mimic deep pressure stimulation, to improve your child’s sleep and help relax and calm their mind. Generally filled with beads, weighted blankets distribute weight over the body without causing your child to overheat.
