Weighted blankets for kids: a safety and sizing guide
They can genuinely help some children's bedtime routines — and this is also the category where the most care is needed. Here is the do and the do-not.
The golden rule: they must be able to push it off
A child should only use a weighted blanket if they can remove it by themselves, unaided, at any moment — including half asleep. That is why no serious maker recommends them under age 3, and why the weight should hover around 10% of the child's body weight without exceeding it: a 44 lb (20 kg) child, a blanket of about 4–7 lb (2–3 kg); a 66 lb (30 kg) child, about 7 lb (3 kg); an 88 lb (40 kg) child, about 9–11 lb (4–5 kg).
Who should not use one
Babies and under-3s, never. Also ruled out without a doctor's or occupational therapist's explicit say-so: children with sleep apnea, breathing or heart conditions, severe reflux, or reduced mobility. If the blanket is being considered as support for autism or ADHD, the weight decision belongs to the therapist who knows the child — not an internet chart.
The first nights, supervised
Start with 15–20 minutes before sleep, over legs or body (never over the head, never tucked in around the child). If they like it and sleep calmly, you can leave it for the full night, checking it has not ridden up towards the neck. And take the child's verdict seriously: if they do not like it, do not insist. The blanket is a tool for calm, not an obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What size should I buy a child?
One that covers their body without spilling far over the bed's edges — about 36"×48" (90 × 120 cm) is usually enough. Too much overhang wastes the weight off-body and drags the blanket to the floor.
Can my child use my adult blanket?
No: your 10% is not theirs. A 15 lb (7 kg) blanket on a 55 lb (25 kg) child is nearly 30% of their body weight — far above sensible limits.