The Benefits of Weighted Blankets for ADHD

When someone asks, “What’s the one thing you have found on your ADHD Parenting Journey that you can’t live without? “

My son’s weighted blanket

The blanket calms his anxiety and restlessness at bed time and induces a more restful nights sleep.

Believe me, I know the Bedtime Struggle is REAL.The transition to sleep can be very difficult for kids with ADHD.

I feel for families who have had sleep problems like ours and I love to share whats working for us.    

Disclaimer:  This post uses some affiliate links. 

Sleep is sooooooo important for ADHD kids

Sleep is so important for kids in general, but less sleep can really exacerbate  the symptoms of ADHD. Getting the recommended 10 to 12 hours of sleep can be really difficult. Kids with ADHD may have trouble calming themselves down at the end of a busy day.  Once asleep, they may wake up frequently and have restless sleep.

I have been hyper vigilant about my kids getting at least 10 hours of sleep a night. (I have an entire blog post devoted to our  bedtime routine.) Many nights, even with our time-tested bedtime routine and our supplements, dozing off to sleep was still a challenge.

Enter the weighted blanket.

The idea of weighted blankets wasn’t new to me, but thought they were more for kids falling on the autism spectrum or kids with extreme sensory issues.

I did not  know weighted blankets could help someone with ADHD.

In fact, there have been many, many studies which have proven that using a weighted blanket for ADHD can have a therapeutic effect. It was not until a friend shared how a weighted blanket had helped her sons with ADHD that I bit the bullet and bought one for us.

Why do weighted blankets work for ADHD?

Weighted blankets–where the weight is evenly distributed throughout the entire blanket–can be a great source of  Deep Touch Pressure.  The pressure can reduce the bodies “fight or flight” activity so often seen with ADHD.

Not only that, this Deep Touch Pressure can help with sleep.

The pressure releases serotonin in the brain which helps regulate mood and provide relaxation. Serotonin also has a big part in the production of melatonin – your bodies natural sleeping aid.

Many kids find weighted blankets to be a great benefit in many other areas , as well. They can help kids focus on school work and provide relaxation when needed. These adorable weighted stuffed animals are great for use in school settings or while reading or doing homework.

a weighted blanket Can Help your Kid, too.

My son uses his weighted blanket primarily at night to help ease the transition to sleep. Most nights he is asleep in under 10 minutes.  

This has been such a relief this has been for us. My son gets more sleep and I can relax knowing I get time in the evenings to do a bit of relaxing myself!

With the weighted blanket, my son wakes refreshed and in a much better mood.

Better sleep leads to so many benefits – less anxiety and better focus at school.

When my son was a baby, he LOVED to be swaddled really tightly – swaddling releases all those same great brain chemicals as the weighted blanket –  so this makes total sense now. The weighted blanket is giving him that sensory input that his body craves at age 11.

My son now says, “Mom, I used to hate sleeping, but now I see how relaxing it can be!”

You can get your evenings back!

What a gift this has been. I used to sit on the stairs waiting for my son to stop trips to the bathroom, calling out to me, talking to his brother…90% of this has disappeared.

When it is bedtime, my son lays down in his bed, under his weighted blanket and goes to sleep.

On the odd occasion that is falls off, he’ll wake up and call out for me.  I simply go to his room and put the blanket back on and he is back asleep in minutes.

I wish I had gotten a weighted blanket earlier!!

How to choose a weighted blanket

Blankets are typically sold according to a child’s age and weight-and yes, they make them for adults, too! Typically a weighted blanket should be about 10% of the user’s total body weight.

My son was about 80 pounds when we purchased ours and it weighed 7 pounds.

Children may prefer a slightly lighter or heavier blanket than suggested, so make sure you can exchange your blanket. The blankets are not huge and are meant to fit just over the body or the top of the bed. We use ours over a down comforter in winter and alone in the warmer months.

I can honestly say, it is one of the best ways I have spent money in a long time.

The benefits of a restful nights sleep effect so many other aspects of my son’s – and our family’s life.

More than just a good night’s sleep

My son uses his weighted blanket for reading and watching TV, too.  Getting under the blanket is a great way to calm down and relax after a long day at school.