Gravity blankets have been recommended by pediatricians for many decades as they can prove to be a valuable solution to children's sleep problems.

Here it is good to clarify that gravity blankets should NOT be used on infants and children under 3 years of age.

They are completely safe for children aged 3 and up and can be used in a variety of ways. For example, try using the gravity blanket to help your child fall asleep more easily at noon or to help them calm down from the excitement of playing.

You will also find it particularly effective when the child is in a state of stress or anxiety as it can relax them and make them feel safe, and of course, they are excellent for helping the child sleep at night.

So in this article, we write some tips to help your child get used to sleeping with the Gravity Junior and answer some frequently asked questions we receive about children's gravity blankets.

How will my child get used to sleeping with the gravity blanket?

Every child is different, so each child may react differently to the feeling of a weighted blanket. Some children go crazy from the very first second, while others need a little more time to get used to the weight of the blanket on them.

What do we recommend:

• Place the gravity blanket on the couch where you spend most of your relaxing time or in the room where your child plays so that he or she can get used to it.
• At first, try to use it gradually, helping the child to feel the pressure of the blanket little by little. For example, while you are reading a story or watching a movie, you can place the blanket on your knees, explaining that the blanket helps the mind calm down and the body rest.
• At bedtime, you can initially place the blanket on the feet to get used to it. After a few days, your child will most likely cover himself.

It is also important not to use other covers on or under the Prosleep Gravity Junior as the weight may increase and the experience may not be as desired.

Use the gravity blanket to help the child relax and stay still.

We all know how hard it is for a child to settle down, especially during the day when energy and excitement are at their peak. When a child is full of energy and it's time for a nap, they are likely to toss and turn in bed for a long time until they fall asleep.

The Gravity Junior gravity blanket, available in two weight options, 3 and 4.5 kg, is designed to apply gentle and constant pressure to the child, helping them to stay still without discomfort. Basically, the feeling under a gravity blanket is very beautiful as it refers to a loving embrace that makes you feel safe, calm and warm.

This immobility, therefore, turns into physical and mental relaxation and by extension the child can fall asleep quickly (and allow the parents to take a break as well) for a reasonable period of time.

How do I know if the gravity blanket is right for my child?

If your child tends to seek sensory stimuli and at the same time has difficulty falling asleep, then a gravity blanket can be the perfect aid to calm them naturally and improve their sleep quality day after day.

Here are some signs to help you recognize if your child needs the feeling of pressure from the blanket:

• He likes to sleep or lie under a pile of blankets or duvets
• Enjoys crawling in tight spaces or behind furniture
• Has difficulty relaxing and staying still (even after intense physical exercise)
• Has difficulty concentrating on a task
• He likes to play rough, sometimes crashing into objects on purpose, he likes to jump on the couch or bed
• He can be described as a particularly athletic or "wild" child.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gravity Blankets and Children

Can a gravity blanket be used on a child with sensory processing disorders?

Traditionally, gravity blankets are used by occupational therapists to help children with sensory disorders and other special needs feel good and calm down from intense stress.

How does it work?

The constant and equal force exerted on the child's body - also known as Deep Tactile Pressure - stimulates the proprioceptive system, which calms the mind and makes the child feel safe. The proprioceptive system is essentially a set of sensors in the skin and joints that constantly feed the brain with information about the body's position in space and the range of movement of its limbs. When the body is free, the proprioceptive system cannot give clear answers to the brain's persistent questions about its position in space. This condition entails a constant alertness of the mind and the autonomic nervous system.

On the contrary, when the child is covered with the Gravity Junior blanket that weighs 3 kg, the pressure exerted on his entire body is enough to give accurate information to the proprioceptive system and this in turn gives clear answers to the impatient brain. Now the mind knows where the body is and calms down, as a result the child's nervous system also calms down.

At the same time, the pressure of the blanket increases the production of serotonin (the "happiness" hormone) and melatonin (sleep hormone) and reduces levels of cortisol, which is the stress hormone.

Thus, for a child with sensory disorders who is sensory sensitive and does not easily accept a gentle touch, the firm force of the blanket can provide a pleasant experience, relieve stress, and help significantly improve their sleep.

What is the appropriate weight of the blanket for my child?

The ideal weight of the blanket is the one that is closest to 10% of the child's body weight. Of course, we know that some children may grow much faster than expected, which is why the 3 kg Gravity Junior can be used from 3 years to 7 years (depending on weight) and the 4.5 kg Gravity Junior by children over 7 years old.

My child is allergic, is there a chance that the blanket will cause him an allergy?

All our blankets are tested and certified by the international organization OEKO-TEX for the absence of harmful substances. Specifically, the Gravity Junior gravity blankets are made of 100% natural cotton and inside they contain, in specially designed cells, thousands of hypoallergenic glass beads in the form of sand to distribute the weight evenly.

Can the baby blanket be washed in the washing machine?

The Gravity Junior blanket consists of two parts, 1) the gravity blanket and 2) its cover.

After removing the cover, you can wash it in the washing machine at a low temperature (up to 30 degrees) and then let it dry naturally outdoors.

The blanket itself is hand washable at low temperature and can be dried naturally. For more information, read our article: "How to Wash a Gravity Blanket" .

How will the gravity blanket help my child sleep?

The gravity blanket harnesses the power of Deep Tactile Pressure - a scientifically proven anxiety treatment - which activates the parasympathetic nervous system and naturally helps increase the production of "good" hormones, such as serotonin and melatonin, while reducing levels of cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress and fear.

The result of this chemical processing in the body is a feeling of relaxation, clarity and calmness that leads to deep and restful sleep.

If you want to know more information, read the article on the benefits of a gravity blanket for children .

Will the gravity blanket help my child not wake up at night?

Deep Tactile Pressure helps a child (and not only) fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night. Its weight will prevent the child from tossing and turning during the night and will make them feel like they are being cuddled in a hug.

Additionally, the fact that children's gravity blankets are made of cool, breathable cotton fabric will keep them at the perfect temperature so that their sleep is not disturbed. And so, there will be no more difficult nights in the future, for both children and parents.

Order the Prosleep Gravity Junior!