Are weighted blankets safe for kids
Weighted blankets – are not safe for babies and young children Safe Sleep Space
Key points
- There is no consistent evidence that weighted blankets or weighted sleeping bags improve children’s sleep.
- Weighted blankets are unsafe and stop the normal expansion of a child’s chest when breathing.
- Weighed blankets are too heavy for small children, who may not be able to free themselves from underneath.
What is a weighted blanket?
Weighted blankets are also called ‘calming’ or ‘sensory’ blankets and are often marketed as a sleep aid for babies and young children. They have ‘pockets’ sewn into them which can be filled with a dense compound which makes them heavy.
Advertisers claim weighted blankets assist the child to go to sleep because they boost a sense of security and help them to calm. Some also report that weighted blankets help to supply a type of deep tissue massage or therapy, which increases relaxing hormones in the brain.
However, there is no evidence or proof that any of these claims are accurate. In fact, weighted blankets can be very unsafe and tragically, there have been babies and children who have died when being covered by a weighted blanket during their sleep.
What’s in a weighted blanket?
Weighted blankets are different to normal blankets because they contain pockets which are filled with a heavy material. Sand, beads filled with silicone; polystyrene or steel shot, pebbles, grain and even micro glass beads are used to evenly fill the pockets, making the blanket heavy and dense.
According to manufacturers, it’s important that whatever filling is used is small enough not to be rigid and to mould around the child’s body. Weighted blankets tend to be more pliable than normal blankets. When placed against the body, they follow the outline of whatever is underneath them.
Why are weighted blankets unsafe?
There has been a huge amount of research into babies’ and children’s sleep.
Making sure their sleeping environment is safe helps to reduce the risk factors for Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy (SUDI). Babies and young children are vulnerable when they’re sleeping, especially in relation to their airways.
The smaller the child, the smaller and more compressible their airways. Their chest wall is also more easily compressed and they have less stamina with their respiratory (breathing) capacity than older children and adults.
Any pressure against a baby’s chest can prevent their lungs filling with air and for their chest to expand as it needs to. Compression also impacts a baby’s ability to move their abdominal wall to allow for normal expansion when breathing.
It’s fair to say that many weighted blanket manufacturers recommend they are not used for children aged less than 4 years. However, there is insufficient evidence to prove they are helpful or safe for any age group and experts advise against using them.
The pressure from a weighted blanket stops the normal expansion of a baby’s chest and abdomen when they are breathing.
Are there any benefits to using a weighted blanket?
In the last few years, weighted blankets have become a more popular item in many households, especially during the winter months. But what may be a reasonable option for adults to keep warm and cosy, is another thing entirely for babies and young children.
Small children don’t have the ability to roll and move freely from under bedclothes and blankets of any design. Weighted blankets are especially unsafe because they inhibit a child from moving.
Where did the idea of weighted blankets come from?
Weighted blankets were originally recommended by some occupational therapists as a therapy aid for children with sensory processing disorders. It was felt that heavier blankets initiated a calming response and helped to ‘contain’ the child’s responses and to calm them when their nervous system was over-aroused.
As is often the case, the opportunity for a marketing opportunity opened up.
Before child health and safety experts could make a proper assessment, weighted blankets of every shape, size and colour flooded the market. Claims of weighted blankets calming the nervous system, soothing an unsettled child and relieving symptoms of anxiety with unqualified testimonies have become common on manufacturer’s websites.
The truth is that there is no proven evidence that weighted blankets do anything beneficial. In fact, they can be dangerous to use for babies and young children.
What can I do to help keep my baby safe when they’re sleeping?
Red Nose recommends 6 key steps in helping to reduce the risk of sudden infant death.
- Always place your baby to sleep on their back, with their feet at the end of the cot.
- Keep your baby’s face and head uncovered.
- Keep your baby smoke free, before and after birth.
- Make sure your baby is in a safe sleeping environment, day and night. Make sure your baby is sleeping in a safe cot which meets the Australian Standards and sleeping on a safe mattress with safe bedding.
Use a safe sleeping bag for your baby which has a fitted neck, fitted armholes and no hood. - Sleep your baby in your room for the first 6-12 months.
- Breastfeed your baby.
Red nose also recommends not using quilts, blankets, doonas, pillows, bumpers, sheepskins or other loose items in your baby’s cot - weighted blankets certainly fall into this category. Not only are they a type of blanket, but by their nature, they’re heavy.
Babies can’t remove themselves from under weighted blankets and if they roll onto their tummy, a weighted blanket is particularly unsafe.
Speak with your Child Health Nurse or check Safe Sleep Space for more information on safe sleeping.
About the Author:
Written for Safe Sleep Space by Jane Barry. Jane has qualifications in general, paediatric, immunisation, midwifery and child health nursing. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Applied Science (Nursing) and has almost 35 years specialist experience in child health nursing.
She is a member of a number of professionally affiliated organisations including AHPRA, The Australasian Medical Writer’s Association and Australian College of Children and Young People’s Nurses.
References
Weighted Baby Sleep Sack Warning | Red Nose Australia
Safety advice for carers about weighted blankets | Department for Child Protection
Weighted blankets – are they safe for kids or during pregnancy? | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
Weighted blankets are not safe for babies | Red Nose Australia
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4 Things Parents Should Know About Weighted Blankets
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Long, MD
Are weighted blankets really effective for children with ASD? — HugME — sensory development products
The only honest answer that can be given is: "They can be effective!".
It's not always what you want to hear, but the point is that you can't really appreciate the effectiveness of a
weighted blanket until you start using it. However,
there are some signs to look out for.
You may have noticed that your child is:
- needs deep pressure? Some of those children who lack sensory
sensations will be constantly engaged in activities that give
deep pressure sensations, such as forceful play,
tight hugs, placing pillows
over their bodies, etc. - can hardly sit still? Many children with a lack of sensory experience
need to constantly move, they find it difficult to sit in one place for a while, they are constantly spinning
. nine0014 Does - like to sleep under a lot of blankets or put books on top of him at night, or does
prefer to sleep in a sleeping bag? I have even heard of children sleeping under the
mattress.
If you recognize some or all of these signs, then a weighted blanket can
help your child calm down and possibly improve their sleep. There are no
guarantees, but from my experience I can say that these are suitable signs - especially
the last item.
If you're still unsure if your child has some of these
traits, there are a few tricks you can try to make sure:
- let your child sleep in a "mummy" sleeping bag. Add
sheet on top and secure it carefully. While there is no weighting, this will give the
a sense of security and some deep pressure and let you know if the
deep pressure is what your child needs. nine0014 - Place a heavy quilt over your child's regular bedding.
Do this when the child goes to bed - (but DO NOT leave him under this thick
layer, as he will most likely overheat!) If you ask the child how he feels
, you can evaluate his reaction to how he weighting. If the
fidget is content and calms down, then the
weighted blanket will probably be effective for him.
We produce weighted blankets in three sizes. nine0048
- for children. Size 110 x 140 cm. Weight 5 kilograms.
- teenage. Size 140 x 180 cm. Weight 7 kilograms.
- adult. Size 140 x 200 cm. Weight 7 kilograms.
What weight do you need?
The most commonly accepted principle is to purchase a
weighted blanket that weighs 10% of the wearer's body weight plus one kilogram. So, for example, for a 30 kg child, the correct weight for a weighted blanket would be 4 kg. For some, this weight may not be comfortable, but for some it may not be sufficient. Be sure to pay attention to how it feels when using a weighted blanket. HugMe blankets are weight adjustable so you can add or decrease the weight as needed. nine0006
Are weighted blankets safe?
When used wisely and following a few simple guidelines,
weighted blankets are completely safe and effective sensory devices.
Thousands of families, schools and communities use weighted blankets
safely at any time of the day.
Recommendations:
• The weight of the blanket should not exceed 10%+1kg of body weight
• Always ensure that the person (child) can, if necessary, be able to independently
remove weighted blanket
• Do not use weighted blanket as a restraint
• Do not cover face with weighted blanket
• Stop using weighted blanket at the first sign of any discomfort.
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Baby weighted blankets: are they safe? What you need to know
Putting your baby to sleep for more than a few hours each night is a major goal for most new parents. And when your baby is restless and no one is sleeping, you may wonder if there is anything you can do to help your baby sleep better.
nine0006
Some sleep experts point to weighted blankets as a way to improve sleep for older children and adults. But covering a baby with a blanket before bed is not safe, which is why some parents wonder if a weighted sleeping bag is a safe alternative.
Find out more about the available options and available safety factors below.
Are weighted blankets safe for children?
Before we delve into weighted sleeping bags, it's important to note that sleeping with blankets, including weighted blankets, is not safe for babies, at least during their first year of life. nine0006
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), soft objects such as blankets, blankets, or loose bedding can cover a baby's nose and mouth and put them at risk of choking, pinching, and strangulation.
With this in mind, parents should never put their child to bed with a blanket, quilt, loose bedding, or other items that could cause harm.
What the study says
Weighted blankets are used with older children and in some cases infants.
A small follow-up study of newborns in the intensive care unit (NICU) found that a weighted blanket could help people with neonatal withdrawal syndrome (NAS). nine0006
However, it is important to note that the children in this study were monitored in an intensive care unit around the clock, so parents should not assume that a weighted blanket is safe for home use.
Another study examined the effectiveness of weighted blankets for sleeping in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Age of participants is from 5 to 16 years. In addition to being diagnosed with autism, they also had severe sleep problems. nine0006
After a two-week sleep period with different blankets, researchers found that using a weighted blanket did not help children with ASD sleep longer, fall asleep faster, or wake up less frequently at night.
However, they found that both children and parents preferred the weighted blanket, and parents rated their child's sleep as better when using the weighted blanket.
They also reported that their children were calmer when they used the weighted blanket.
Again, it is important to note that this study looked at the sleep of older children. nine0006
Although weighted blankets may have some clear benefits, there is not enough evidence that they significantly improve sleep. Combined with the risk to young children, you should not use a weighted blanket on your child under 2 years of age.
Are weighted sleeping bags safe for children?
If there are no free blankets, how do parents keep the child warm? One option, according to some experts, is sleeping bags. According to the AAP, sleeping bags are much safer than blankets. nine0006
Katherine Williamson, MD, FAAP, pediatrician at Mission Hospital Mission Viejo and president of Orange County AAP, says parents often use a sleeping bag to keep their baby snug and warm.
"Many sleeping bags are easy to zip up over the baby's clothes, which frees up their arms, and the part of the bag on the torso, legs and feet helps them stay warm and not move too much during sleep or at night," she explains.
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So, if the AAP considers traditional sleeping bags to be safe, you might be wondering if weighted sleeping bags are safe to use when putting your baby to bed, especially if you want him to sleep better. nine0006
Gina Posner, MD, pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., says that while a weighted sleeping bag may help a child sleep better, the issue is whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
“My main concern with weighted sleeping bags is that they can prevent babies from breathing,” says Posner. She also has concerns about weighted sleeping bags if the baby could roll over. “If a child manages to roll over, and then because of the weight, he cannot roll back, I am afraid that he will suffocate,” says Posner. nine0006
Daniel Ganjian, MD, pediatrician at Providence St. Johns Medical Center in Santa Monica, Calif., says one of the reasons a child can sometimes sleep better in a weighted sleeping bag is because they feel that he is once again in the womb, allowing the newborn to experience a simulated "fourth trimester".
However, there are other methods of sedation to ensure comfort in the fourth trimester that do not pose any risk to the baby. nine0006
Finally, overheating is thought to contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which is why all experts fear that these weighted sleeping bags may contribute to overheating.
Most importantly, says Williamson, be sure to check with your pediatrician before buying a weighted sleeping bag for your child. “They can help determine if a weighted sleeping bag can help your child fall asleep,” she explains.
Sleep Tips
As for weighted blankets, Williamson says they are generally considered safe for children over 2 years of age. “Younger children are too small to get out of the blanket and are at risk of suffocation,” she explains.
If you're considering a weighted blanket for your child older than 2, Williamson advises making sure your child doesn't have asthma or sleep apnea and choosing the right size and weight for the blanket.
Also consult your pediatrician before purchasing a baby weight. nine0006
Several organizations, including the AAP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, educate parents on advanced sleep practices. To keep your child safe while sleeping, follow these tips and tricks for safe sleep and proper sleep patterns.
- Keep the crib away from objects that could present a choking hazard. Loose bedding, blankets, quilts, soft toys, stuffed animals and toys should never be placed in the crib while the baby is sleeping. This also includes pillows and bumper pads. nine0014
- Put the baby on his back to sleep. This includes all sleep times, such as naps and bedtime.
- Do not let your child fall asleep on the couch or chair. This includes falling asleep on a caregiver who uses a couch or chair.
- Place the crib in the parents' bedroom until the child's first birthday. You can move their bed closer to the bed to make feeding easier.
