WHAT IS THE CORRECT SIZE FOR THE BLANKET?
Copyright 2008-2009 DreamCatcher Weighted Blanket * Updated 11-2008
A weighted blanket is an important investment in health care, for both the person using the blanket and those who care for them. It is very important to consider some major points when purchasing a weighted blanket so that it will work properly for the user.
Major points to Consider
1. Goal to accomplish: Is the blanket to be used as a calming tool , for sleep or both?
2. What Is The Correct Size Blanket
3. What Is The Correct Weight That I Need
4. What Is The Best Fabric to Fit My Sensory Needs
5. What Is The Safest, Most Effective, Most Comfortable and Practical Weighting Materials
6. What Is the Best Blanket Construction, Durability & Weight Distribution
7. How Much Does The Blanket Cost, Is It The Best For My Money
GOAL TO ACCOMPLISH
In deciding what to purchase the first thing to determine is what goal you want to accomplish with your weighted blanket.
If you need a blanket to be used as a calming tool in the car, watching TV, at school, in church, etc. The appropriate size would be a Lap blanket (34" x 43")or a Wrap blanket (43" x 52").
Sample Pictures of Custom DreamCatcher Lap Blankets Below
* Click on any picture for a larger view *
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Sample Pictures Of Custom DreamCatcher Wrap Blankets Below
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If you need a blanket for better sleep, the size you choose will depend on the height of the person using the blanket and /or the bed size. It is recommended that a weighted sleep blanket be made to fit on the top of the mattress and not hang over the sides of the bed, for smaller children. Most teens and adults find that a full or queen size blanket is the most comfortable size for both sleep and as a calming tool. Also, in most cases, a sleep blanket should always have the weights evenly distributed throughout the entire area of the blanket and NOT concentrated in one area. We have found that there is one exception to that, many of Dreamcatcher clients with Restless Leg Syndrome seem to prefer the weights to be heavier in the lower part of their blankets.
Sample Of Custom DreamCatcher Sleep Blankets Below
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WHAT IS THE CORRECT SIZE
A child under 40" in height can use a Wrap blanket (43" x 52) or a Crib/Toddler Blanket (36" x 52") for sleep.
Once a height of 40" in height is reached, a Twin size (43" x 75)should be considered to give the young user plenty of growing room.
Full size (54" x 75"), Queen Size (60" x 80"), are both popular choices for teens, young adults and older adults. King ( 76 x 80) and Queen( 60"x80") size blankets have also been a favorite with couples. Extended lengths in sleep blankets are available.
WHAT IS THE CORRECT WEIGHT
Weighted blankets should never be used as a restraint, it is important that the user can always remove a weighted blanket on their own, if desired.
The owners at DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets, have searched and talked with many health professionals in the past six years to determine the correct starting weight for a weighted blanket. Many weighted blanket manufacturers today have followed our lead and are also using our guidelines.
With that, the conclusion we found is that most OT's or Occupational Therapists use to determine the starting weight for a blanket is to use 10% of the user's body weight and add one pound. For example a 100 pound person would start with an 11 pound blanket. This is the starting weight and many personal variables can factor in to that equation, in which the user would like the blanket heavier or lighter. They include, size of blanket and proprioceptive input needs of the user. DreamCatcher staff is highly experienced in answering any questions as to fitting the right weight and size to the person using the blanket. We also suggest to speak with an OT's if available.
How to determine Weight for a Lap or Wrap Blanket used as a Calming Tool?
Current industry standards that many Occupational Therapists suggest that a lap or wrap blanket be 10% plus one pound of the person's body weight that will be using the blanket. This is the starting weight, and can certainly be adjusted up or down depending on each person's individual needs. This type of blanket is normally used as a calming tool and used periodically throughout the day at 20 minute intervals. It is believed that the deep pressure touch stimulation supplied by the weight releases a chemical in the brain that naturally calms. The blanket can be applied on the lap or around shoulders.
DREAMCATCHER tm LAP PADS & DREAMCATCHER WRAPPERS tm
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Occupational Therapists and current research recommends lap pads be a maximum weight of 5% of the clients total body weight, because all the weight is located on the clients legs. However it is also suggested that no more than two pounds of weight be applied with any client, and even less with preschoolers or kindergarteners.
We Have Many Pre-Made Lap Pads Available Now ,
Click Here To See Patterns for 12 x 18 Lap Pads.
* BRAND NEW ITEM *
The Exclusive only to DreamCatcher, Wrapper tm
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Wrappers come in a variety of fabric options, please click here to see choices.
Please email for current Price List.
WHAT IS THE BEST FABRIC TO USE
Pictures shown on our web site are examples of custom blankets we have made over the past several years for our customers. Those particular fabrics may no longer be available. Please contact us for fabrics that are currently available.
Fabric type is one of the most important decisions to make for a weighted blanket and one area that is often overlooked by many manufacturers.. It is important to choose blanket fabrics that are sensory comfortable to the user, and easily done with so many combinations available . A cotton/cotton combination is the right choice for those that overheat easily. Many like a cotton/flannel combination, for a softer feel. A cotton /fleece combination makes a very soft blanket however because fleece is polyester and does not breathe as easily as cotton and flannel it would probably be avoided for those that overheat easily. The same holds true for a cotton/poly blend fabric. A washable satin backing also makes a nice blanket for those that crave a smooth feel. Satin binding and satin "taggies" can be included for those individuals who like an extra sensory imput.
Fabric print is also very important. There is no limit to prints, patterns and colors available for weighted blankets. Don't settle for just a few choices in prints. IF the print, pattern and / or color is something the user will like they are more apt to use it.
We do not offer or recommend using a waterproof fabric as this type of fabric could be a suffocation danger.
THE BEST WEIGHTING MATERIAL
Blankets weighted with lead materials!! It's Unbelievable Isn't It??
Please question any weighted blanket provider you look to, what type of weighting material is in the blankets they make.
Be aware if their description is a very vague, heavy duty weighting material or a weighting material description doesn't exist at all.
High quality Poly pellets are the BEST and only weighting material found on the market today that are both effective, durable, practical and SAFE. They are non-porous and rated for high temperatures making them a good candidate to be washed in any temperature and dried thoroughly in the dryer. High quality pellets are smooth and round, consistent in both size and shape. Be sure to ask any weighted blanket manufacturer that their blankets are weighted with a good quality poly pellet, if not find one that does.
Never purchase a weighted product using materials such as lead, stone, corn, rice, sand, beans, low grade poly pellets or beads, gravel, salt, buckwheat hulls etc. as these may render the product, unsafe for the user.
Material such as river stone, corn, gravel, etc. are all porous and will retain some amount of moisture even if the blanket it is used in is thoroughly dried. Porous matter will cause molding in the inner layers of the blanket.
Any blanket using an organic weighting material such as corn, rice, beans, buckwheat hulls, etc. can not be washed properly and will quickly emit odors becoming an attractant for both insects or pests.
Sand is extremely unsafe for a weighting material as it contains silica which is harmful if breathed in. In addition blankets using a sand or fine grade stone easily become gritty on the outside when washed.
Low grade, inexpensive poly pellets or beads are not uniform , or smooth and often have rough or sharp edges, which could harm the user.
Weighted Blankets that simply use more fabric or stuffed with scraps of fabric for weighting material are no more practical and much less cost effective than just using many blankets piled up for weight. With poor construction, the inner fabric will bunch inside the blanket rendering it useless. Because of all the added fabric, this type of blanket is normally much too warm for heat sensitive individuals.
CORRECT BLANKET CONSTRUCTION & DURABILITY
It is very important to purchase blankets that have multiple inner layers of 100% cotton fabric which encase the weighting material in their construction , for both durability and comfort. Weights should always be evenly distributed throughout the blanket and not concentrated in only one part of the blanket.
It is also important to purchase a blanket that has poly pellets "quilted" into the inner layers of fabric for a machine washable, dryable, no fuss blanket, where the weights can not be removed, can not fall out or are not able to shift. The exclusive to DreamCatcher patent pending designed blanket constructed with one side being smooth, is highly recommended and sought after, as the preferable sensory comfortable blanket, compared to the others that may have both sides quilted, or made with either pockets or channels.
* Poly fill should NEVER be used in weighted blankets *
Polyester fill should never be used or as an inner layer in weighted blankets for a few reasons. First when used in combination with a weighting material, poly fill tends to break apart and bunch over a period of time, within the blanket, on repeated use and washings. In addition, the added warmth that poly fill provides is normally too uncomfortable to the sensory sensitive individual that overheats easily.
* Weight should ALWAYS be Evenly Distributed *
Most Occupational Therapists prefer and suggest that weight should always be evenly distributed throughout the entire area of the blanket for best results. This is especially true for blankets used to aid sleep. Blankets that are used as calming tools are smaller in area and already concentrated. Always look for blankets that have weights evenly distributed throughout the blanket as a superior design over those that concentrate weight in one area over another.
BLANKET COST
Blanket cost is always major factor to consider with your blanket purchase. Removable weight blankets or blankets needing blanket covers are very expensive compared to those with unremovable weights and are often less effective and difficult to maintain and wash.
In addition, many blankets are comparable in cost but NOT in materials used , for example a poly pellet filled blanket and a stone filled blanket may cost the same , but the quality of the stone filled blanket is substandard, in addition to being unsafe. Or two blankets may both be filled with poly pellets, but the inner layers of fabric type and quantity may different, or quality of poly pellets differ.
. Compare carefully.
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DISCLAIMER
In the past few years, there have been a few new weighted blanket makers that have are "using" DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets research and formulas in their written material and web sites in an effort to sell their products.
The information on our web site is freely given for all to benefit from. It is however , information that is copyrighted and has been researched and sought after personally by DreamCatcher staff. Other weighted blanket manufacturers that copy directly or have re-written DreamCatcher Weighted Blanket information in their written material have not asked for permission to use either our research, weight formulas or information, against copyright laws.
While we are flattered to be used as a model for their companies, please keep in mind DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets is not affiliated with, nor can we control or recommend products offered by weighted blanket companies that have simply used our research and information to easily promote their products.
