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I don’t typically do reviews of products on this site but every once in a while I’m presented with a product that has truly benefited one or more of my children. This is one of those occasions. As many of you are likely aware, weighted blankets can have a profoundly positive impact on kids with sensory related issues. In Emmett’s case, he finds the constant pressure provided by the weighted blanket to be calming as well as comforting. The following opinion is based on my personal experience with DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets. 

DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets: Why weighted blankets?

A little while ago I was contacted by a very nice woman at DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets. She had been referred to my blog by a customer. This customer suggested that my son Emmett would benefit from a weighted blanket. DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets was wondering if they could provide Emmett with a custom built weighted blanket, no strings attached. I had to read the email twice just to make sure I was reading it correctly. Emmett could absolutely benefit from a weighted blanket.

I visited their very impressive website to see what DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets were all about.  They specialize in custom & pre-made weighted blankets and lap pads, among other things. Their website explains in great detail, all about the process, proper cleaning and how and why weighted blankets can help your special needs child. Here is an excerpt from their site explaining just that:

In researching weighted therapy for sleep and calming, we talked  with many therapists, medical professionals and experts in the sensory integration field, and  have learned a great deal about how and why weighted products work the way they do.  The very short version of the theory behind how DreamCatcher tm weighted products work, is the deep pressure touch stimulation (DPTS) supplied by the weight in our products , is believed to release a chemical in the brain, which naturally calms.

Serotonin is the chemical that functions as a  neurotransmitter (chemical communicator).  Serotonin is thought to be involved in inducing sleep, sensory perception, temperature regulation, and control of mood. Studies have  shown that serotonin may be  released by deep pressure touch stimulation. Massage and deep pressure releases both serotonin and endorphins. The serotonin acts as a calming mediator for the body while the endorphins act as a happy stimulator for the brain. Together they can bring pleasurable feelings and general elevated moods in both your body and mind.  It calms you when feeling anxious.

DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets: Custom building

This was a really unique experience. You would not believe the amount of thought that DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets puts into each custom blanket. I was really, quite surprised by the factors they take into account before building Emmett’s blanket.

I was asked questions about Emmett’s sensory needs as well as height and weight.  They also ask things like size of the bed and whether or not Emmett needs     deep pressure. Then came the hard part, deciding on the design. Since I know  Emmett pretty well (obviously), I had a pretty good idea of what he would like. After  talking with Lizze, we narrowed it down to a few ideas. I visited their website and  browsed through their virtually limitless fabric patterns and types.

At the End of the day, I choose Disney’s Cars as the pattern for the blanket. Emmett seems to respond very well to fleece as that’s what his favorite snug-a-bug blanket is made of.  With that knowledge in hand, I also choose a fleece backing. You really do need to check out their site in order to get a better idea of just how many options there really are. I felt the staff was very helpful with design choices and answering the questions I had along the way. I honestly had quite a few questions as I have never ordered a weighted blanket before.

DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets: The final product

Does Emmett like his new Cars weighted blanket? Judge for yourself as you watch Emmett open up his brand new custom built Disney Cars weighted blanket by DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets. 

The blanket we had built was made for a twin bed as hopefully we will be transitioning Emmett into a twin bed. However, for now it still works out great on his toddler bed. Check out the photo to the right and see this blanket in action. I was very impressed by the quality of the fabric and the stitching used to construct this blanket. Something else that really impressed me is how the weight is evenly distributed throughout the entire blanket. The weight is also used in such a way that it doesn’t slide around. For example, if I pick the blanket up from one side, the weight doesn’t shift to the opposite side…if that makes sense.

The cotton fabric seems very durable and the fleece is definitely Emmett approved. Emmett also LOVES the Cars characters covering his blanket. He tries to carry this thing around with him where ever he goes and with his blanket weighing in at about 9 or 10 lbs that’s quite a chore.

So far this blanket has helped Emmett stay asleep for longer periods of time. Needless to say that really helps out a very tired Mommy and Daddy. It really does seem to have a calming effect on him. You can almost see the relief in his face once the blanket is in place across him. He will even climb under it while on the couch watching Netflix on TV.  So far this is really helping him to settle down and decompress. We told his OT about this and she was thrilled that he would have the benefit of the weighted blanket while at home.

We opted for a heavier blanket as Emmett needs deep muscle pressure to really derive any benefit. The blanket serves Emmett quite well and should withstand most the loving abuse it will receive.

I would like to thank DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets for providing Emmett with some much needed sensory relief.

DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets: The Give-A-Way

Not only did DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets provide Emmett with a complimentary custom build weighted blanket, they also want to do the same for one of my readers. That’s right, you heard me correctly. DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets is providing one of my readers with a custom build weighted blanket worth $200…free of charge.

Details on the Give-A-Way will be posted soon.