by Sleep is crucial for kids and can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD (also check 10 amazing mattresses for kids). However, it can be challenging for children with ADHD to get 10 to 12 hours of sleep. They may have trouble calming down at night and may wake up frequently during the night.
Weighted blankets are popular for people with ADHD because they can provide Deep Touch Pressure. This pressure can help reduce the body’s “fight or flight” response, often seen in people with ADHD.
Here are the top 5 weighted blankets that will improve sleep for ADHD.
What are the best Weighted Blankets for ADHD?
Top 5 Weighted Blankets for ADHD
Aricove Weighted Blanket
- Breathable
- Soft
Luxurious and high-quality weighted sensory blankets for kids
Aricove’s bestselling weighted blanket is the answer for people experiencing ADHD. It’s fine quality and provides extra comfort to soothe and calm children. They are available in 5 different weights for different sizes of individuals and types of sleepers.
The blanket is a stack of 7 layers of innovative and handpicked materials. The layers work together to give you one of the most exceptional weighted blankets. The top sheet is a layer of luxurious Bamboo. It works to provide a tremendously silky soft, smooth feel and a cooling sensation. It helps keep the moisture away, making the blanket hypoallergenic.
The inner layers are breathable, providing temperature regulation. The ventilating properties of Bamboo are enhanced with this layer.
The super fine glass beads add to the blanket’s overall weight and contour. It lets you cuddle in and regulates the body temperature without making you feel too hot or cold.
And between these layers, there is a layer of antimicrobial allergens. The fill keeps the blanket soft and heavy. It has no glue, no toxic materials, and no fumes. A very low maintenance material but with extraordinary properties.
Overall this weighted blanket is a beautiful addition to your bedding collection and soothes ADHD symptoms. Especially if you need one for your ADHD child, Aricove offers a weighted blanket for kids. They have two different sizes, one for ages 2-5 and the other for those above seven years.
They are FDA approved and certified to be non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals. It is made from a soft, breathable, weightless fabric that feels as smooth as silk.
MAXTID Weighted Blanket
- Relaxing
- Excellent quality
Maxtid weighted blanket for kids, children, and teenagers (one-piece design).
This weighted blanket makes sleep cozier and has a calming effect on the sensory system. It improves the quality and how deep you sleep, especially for ADHD children. Since a good night’s sleep is necessary to allow kids to achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
It is a weighted blanket with a double-sided design for 2-in-1 purposes. One side is made of soft Minky cuddle fabric, while the other is smooth cotton.
The blanket contains glass beads to add weight which is evenly distributed. There are 3.5×3.5″ of small rhombus-shaped pockets. These cavities hold the glass beads and distribute the weight evenly.
The blanket is also easy to fold with its unique design. A long stitch in the middle of the blanket is specially processed to allow easy folding. The edges are also curved and provide a smooth experience.
Both sides are different in texture and feel and can be flipped to adjust coolness. The mink side will provide more warmth, whereas the cotton side will be preferred in the summer. It is an excellent choice to relieve your children from insomnia, ADHD, and autism. This weighted blanket can provide the best support and comfort during sleep.
This weighted blanket is easy to carry, and you get one Small Weighted Lap Pad Blanket for your kid. ADHD children need to have something over to help them keep calm. Hence while traveling or when they are not asleep, the 5 lbs lap pad works like a charm.
The fabric is very soft and smooth, solid and durable in structure. And the blanket is also beneficial for children with a sensory processing disorder, PTSD and Autism.
BARMY Weighted Lap Pad
- Microbeads
- PTPA Approval
Perfect solution for calmer car rides and for relaxing sessions.
Are you looking for a small weighted blanket to help you relax and stay calm? Look no further than the Barmy Weighted Lap Blanket 5 pounds. This unique blanket has received the prestigious Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) Seal of Approval.
The lap pads come with two types of covers, depending on your child’s needs. The first cover has a sensory Minky dot material which works best to soothe and calm anxiety.
The other side has a cooling viscose from bamboo material for a softer approach. You can remove the covers to wash them whenever necessary. This makes the lap pads versatile and more durable than other blankets.
The inner blanket contains microbeads inside small pockets that provide weight distribution. In turn, it helps children feel calm and secure.They come in a strong PVC bag with a sturdy handle, so you can take them wherever you go. And because you can use them at home, during travel, or at other events, they’re an awesome choice for any situation.
Barmy provides weighted blankets for adults of 48 x 24 inches. They are perfect for adults with ADHD to give them a sense of security. It helps in concentration and relaxation for those suffering from anxiety and stress.
GNO Premium Weighted Blanket
- Breathable Bamboo
- Soft
Weighted sensory blankets for adults
The GNO premium weighted blanket comes in a package of 3 items. It is an organic cotton blanket with a unique, breathable bamboo duvet cover. And to carry them both conveniently, a plush carry bag comes with the pack. The duvet bamboo cover is a good option to envelope your weighted blanket.
Bamboo covers are not only breathable and soft, but they can be used all year! They are more remarkable than Minky fleece, softer and more luxurious than typical cotton covers. Duvet covers help protect your blanket and maximize its life.
The weighted blanket itself is a delicate composition of various layers. The cotton is 100% organic with a 400 thread count. This quality is similar to the luxurious hotel kind. Overall the breathable cotton is harvested sustainable and is OEKO-TEX Certified.
To prevent the blanket from becoming lumpy extra tiny glass beads are used. They are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and odorless, making them safe for both kid and adult use. They comply well to be used safely by ADHD kids and adults. The glass beads help in making the blanket noiseless.
And to keep everything in place and secure, the blanket is sewn durably using advanced technology. No matter how frequently or vigorously you use the blanket, it does not lump or lose shape.
They are available in 4 elegant colors: white, grey, light gray, and navy. All the colors come in different sizes and weights. You prefer to choose a weighted blanket of around 8-10% of your body weight. GNO has 12 lbs, 15 lbs, 17 lbs, 20 lbs, 22 lbs, 25 lbs, and 30 lbs weighted blankets.
And before you pick a size, make sure you understand that the blanket size will cover the body and not the bed, so you will not find regular bed sizes.
L'AGRATY weighted blanket
- Cooling Sensation
- Breathable
An all-season weighted blanket for ADHD child
The weighted blanket is incredibly soft and of breathable microfiber material. It has 0.8-1 mm non-toxic, hypoallergenic glass beads. This blanket can provide a cooling sensation in the summer and a breathable warmth in the winter.
The glass beads are filled with a unique tool to provide even weight distribution. The tool enables them to stay and remain in their position. The hi-tech sewing ensures that the framework keeps the beads in place.
The thread used is durable and tear-resistant, with good strength and endurance. You do not end up with the beads shifting, giving you an unevenly weighted blanket. Moreover, the blanket’s edges firmly border with a cloth to prevent the leaking of beads.
Removable Cover Weighted Blankets are available if kids use blankets. L’agarty has weighted blankets that have removable covers for manageable cleaning and washing.
Why Sleep Is Important For People with ADHD?
Sleep is essential for every being no matter they are newborns or elders. With ADHD patients, lack of sleep can trigger anxiety, restlessness, and more severe ADHD symptoms. Unfortunately, ADHD patients experience many disorders and syndromes that result in sleepless nights.
Sleep Disordered Breathing
SDB, which includes snoring and sleep apnea, can affect up to one-third of patients with ADHD (also check 8 great mattresses for sleep apnea). It leads to either disturbed sleep or daytime sleepiness and causes symptoms of ADHD.
Restless Leg Syndrome
People with restless legs syndrome (RLS) know how it feels to have pins and needles in their legs constantly. It’s challenging to get comfortable and fall asleep when your legs are throbbing.
According to researchers, RLS affects almost 50% of people who have ADHD. Scientists think that RLS is caused by iron and dopamine deficiencies—the same deficiencies that link to ADHD.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder
People with ADHD often have difficulty sleeping at night due to their more active minds. Scientists believe it has something to do with the size of the pineal gland. There may be irregularities in certain genes and the timing of melatonin release. This can be tough when they have morning commitments like school or work.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a common symptom of ADHD, and there are several reasons people with ADHD are at risk. You may have difficulty falling asleep because of racing thoughts or a burst of energy at night.
Even when you get an eye shut, it may not be satisfying. You may be unrestful because of nightmares or other sleep disturbances. And the stress that accompanies it can make your insomnia worse.
Narcolepsy
Individuals with narcolepsy have difficulty staying awake during the day and may fall asleep suddenly. They may have trouble sleeping soundly throughout the night. Adults suffering from narcolepsy are twice as likely to have had ADHD as a child.
The sleepiness brought on by narcolepsy usually provokes ADHD symptoms. Both disorders might stem from a faulty gene or a problem with neurotransmitters.
How A Weighted Blanket Can Help With ADHD?
Weighted blankets are a popular therapy tool that therapists recommend to children and adults with ADHD. Unlike regular blankets, they rely on extra weight to provide a sense of calm and security. This happens either through premium glass beads or multiple layers of fabric.
Both apply gentle pressure to the body as even weight in the blanket. They work by mimicking a therapeutic technique called deep touch pressure. Weighted blankets can help deliver pressure to the body that aids in falling asleep.
How heavy should a weighted blanket be for ADHD?
The first thing to keep in mind is that the weight of a blanket should be relative to the person using it. A good rule of thumb is 10% of the user’s body weight plus a pound.
Key Takeaways: Understanding the Benefits of Weighted Blankets for ADHD
Importance of Sleep for ADHD
Sleep plays an instrumental role in the overall well-being of kids, especially in minimizing ADHD symptoms. However, achieving the recommended 10 to 12 hours of sleep often poses a challenge for children with ADHD. Factors such as difficulty in winding down at night and frequent night awakenings can disrupt their sleep patterns.
The Science Behind Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets have garnered immense popularity among ADHD individuals due to the provision of Deep Touch Pressure. This pressure has the potential to diminish the body’s instinctual “fight or flight” response, which is frequently observed in ADHD sufferers.
Top Picks: Weighted Blankets for ADHD
The Aricove Weighted Blanket stands out with its luxurious, high-quality sensory design, tailored explicitly for those grappling with ADHD. It employs a blend of innovative materials spread across seven layers, including a top layer of sumptuous Bamboo, to offer an unparalleled experience. Similarly, other noteworthy mentions in the weighted blanket domain for ADHD include the MAXTID Weighted Blanket and the BARMY Weighted Lap Pad, each boasting unique features to enhance sleep quality.
How Weighted Blankets Aid ADHD Individuals
Therapists often advocate the use of weighted blankets for ADHD patients, both children and adults. Unlike conventional blankets, weighted blankets integrate added weight to instill feelings of tranquillity and security. This is accomplished using either high-quality glass beads or multiple fabric layers. The blankets emulate a therapeutic method known as deep touch pressure, facilitating better sleep through body pressure.
Optimal Weight for ADHD Weighted Blankets
When choosing a weighted blanket for ADHD, it’s paramount to consider the user’s weight. A widely accepted guideline is to select a blanket that weighs roughly 10% of the user’s body weight, with an additional pound for optimal comfort.
Given their vast benefits, weighted blankets are highly recommended for individuals, especially kids, dealing with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or PTSD. Their comforting pressure provides much-needed relaxation and improved sleep quality.
Our Recommendation
Weighted blankets have recently become immensely popular. Kids frequently use them with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or PTSD. But even adults who experience normal stress levels are beginning to use them for relaxation and to achieve a more restful night’s sleep. However, looking for the best-weighted blanket for ADHD children or adults depends on a few factors.