Cuddly Dog Weighted Lap Pad– I love this one because it looks like your child is just holding a fun stuffed animal on their lap. And, it has added sensory features by being able to ped the fur and play with the dogs ears! Another thing to consider is the weighted lap pad fabric. Sensory seekers often love the tactile feel of Minky Dot fleece fabrics, whilst those sensitive to touch, or heat, may prefer a smoother, more breathable, cotton fabric. In a quiet spot, a sensory tent, or while relaxing on the couch (for kids that have difficulty calming down or may be described as hyperactive.) For bedtime/sleeping (for kids that have a hard time getting to sleep or falling asleep, allow them to hold or place it where it feels comfortable. But, not recommended for children under 3 during sleep) Important Instruction before using a lap pad:As a general rule of thumb, weighted lap pads are for children that are growing normally without any significant health concerns at age 3 or older.

Older children and adults need to have sufficient muscle strength, coordination and body awareness to move the blanket.

Why Make A Weighted Lap Pad?

If you answered no to all of these questions, a weighted lap pad likely wouldn’t help your child’s needs, although this isn’t a totally exhaustive list, there surely are other circumstances where it could apply. However, if you answered yes to any of the questions, then we need to take it a step further: When playing in a sensory bin (for kids that don’t like to get messy, this can be calming input that helps them explore the texture of the sensory bin) I love DIY and putting something together myself, if you have the time these DIY versions might be a good fit for you:

You may be wondering whether it is safe to use a heavier blanket during the whole night. When is doubt always consult with your occupational therapist or doctor if you are unsure. Everyone is different. Remember that a blanket with added weight has a positive effect even after just 20 minutes. How much weight should be used for both lap pads and blankets? When weighted lap pads are effective, they help kids sit still better and can be a great support in the classroom, library story time, or the dinner table! Basically anywhere your child has trouble sitting still. Keep in mind that even if your child loves their weighted lap pad one day, they may not the next. This is okay and totally normal. Sensory needs fluctuate from day to day, even hour to hour. Most kids benefit from giving them a choice to what will help them.Therapists & manufacturers generally recommend you use a weighted lap pad that’s around 5-7 % of a user’s body weight. In term of the actual dimensions, lap pads are typically 12 x 18 inches or 12 x 30 inches insize, although you may find a variety of sizes available. Another key benefit of a weighted lap pad is that, whilst a weighted blanket is generally used more as a sleep aid, lap pads are much more portable, due to their smaller, more compact, size. If you plan to use a weighted lap pad at meal times, for example, you may want to invest in a lap pad thats wipeable. On the other hand, if your child struggles tofocus in aclassroom environment and seeks extra sensorystimulation, a sensoryMinky Dot lap pad may be a better choice. Weighted lap pads are designed to be used at a weight that’s appropriate for the person, or child, using it. Have you heard someone say “weighted lap pad”, “ weighted lap animal”, or “weighted blankets” and wondered what they were? Children, adults, and seniors all use them. People use them at home, school, and work. In this blog post, you will learn all about weighted lap pads (also known as weighted lap animals) and blankets.

Like a lot of sensory tools and toys, a weighted lap pad isn’t exactly in the average home’s vocabulary. And, honestly, it does sound a bit strange, but it’s actually quite simple. A weighted lap pad is a heavy pillow of varying shapes and sizes that fits across a child’s lap. There are no fixed time frames to use weight. It is important to note that the body and brain adjust to the feeling of weight over time. Do not expect a weighted lap buddy to be useful and effective for long periods. Therefore, it is best used intermittently. Consider using it for 20-minute intervals. How to be safe using weight Signs that your child doesn’t like similar tactile sensations could be a child that doesn’t like having blankets on them in the bed, or wearing extra clothes. In this case, even though a child seeks out proprioception (say through jumping and crashing activities), they may not be a good candidate for a weighted lap pad. When feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated by certain situations (ie: appointments, busy environments) Use 5% of your child’s body weight as a guideline to determine the appropriateweight the lap pad should have. For example, if your child is 60 lbs. then a 3 lb. lap pad would be a good fit. Discuss any concerns or exceptions to these “rules” with your child’s doctor. ***

The lap pad rests on a person’s legs, where the extra weight applies a therapeutic deep touch pressure (DTP). This gentle pressure helps calm the nervous system & can feel extremely relaxing. Lastly, it is crucial to know how long you should be using your blanket with added weight. A general rule to follow is that heavier blankets show a positive effect even after 20 minutes of use and even at 5% of body weight. Although the amount of time that a person may use a blanket with added weight may differ from person to person based on professional recommendations from an occupational therapist or doctor, it is always suggested to wear it for a limited time to prevent discomfort or injury. Take home message: you do not have to use a heavier blanket all night for sleep or for a positive effect. Can you sleep with a heavy blanket every night? In particular, kids that seek out or respond to proprioceptive input are often good candidatesfor trying a weighted lap pad. These kids are often described as wiggly, have difficulty sitting still, or wild.