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.
[youtube width=”720″ height=”480″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEqdmUn0goY[/youtube]
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.
i saw you had a chance to win free weighted blanket well my story is i am 21 and have autism i have meltdowns almost daily when in a meltdown i want to be squeezed and hugged tight for a few minutes but my mom wont listen cause she dont beleive me and she wont do it so i am stuck getting stress or my anxity acting up on a daily basis causeing meltdowns that i cant control i have wanted a weighted blanket since i was first diagnosed with autism and spd and since i first heard of them when i was 18 i am on disability and we struggle to pay bills and feed our house with just mine and my moms check already but we try our best so we cant afford to buy a weighted blanket i have tried many time to win one but i never win nothing which upset me even more well if i where to win you could get me either on facebook or at phone at 4788673563 i am trying to get me one i think it will help alot with calming my meltdowns i only have facebook by phone and i can only get on internet if i stay at my grandmas which i dont do much but thank you for listening i did try to win. my facebook name is casey no
I too have a friend who has had horrible problems with this company. They sent her a defective blanket, said she could exchange it for a new one, and have been giving her the runaround ever since. They are impossible to get ahold of and it often takes more than 3 or 4 emails to get a reply. No one ever answers the phone… My friend is now going on about EIGHT MONTHS of trying to get the correct blanket from this place. It seems like Dreamcatcher only gets good reviews from people who’ve received FREE blankets – because they actually RECEIVED their blankets! Buyer beware. This company really needs to get its act together.
Weighted Blanket Post to Amy and Sandi …..or any one else in need.
* The correct phone number info is as follows
423-790-8805 Cleveland, TN EST
Sorry fat fingers. Hope this helps
Great site Lost 🙂 ! Blessings — Hope — Peace you and your family !
Sandi isn’t the only person who has had trouble with this company. They claim to help with documentation for Insurance DME Claims. However when I contacted them for the documentation my insurer wanted, not only did they refuse to directly answer my request, they gave me sales pitches and arguments – and then accused ME of being argumentative when I insisted that I wanted a response to my actual request, not all this other stuff.
I replied I was sorry they thought I was arguing when I simply wanted a reply to my request. I told them that so far this experience was terrible Customer Serviceand they should be answering what their potential customer asked, not anything but what they asked.
The response was basically a threat to report me to my employer – for what I have no idea, though I suppose it serves me right for inquiring from work. It’s really the only time I have to conduct my own healthcare inquiries though and an email here and there isn’t a big drag on my time.
Still, this treatment was not only uncalled for but incredibly rude and unprofessional. I would urge people to buy from any other maker than them. If they treat potential customers this way they do not deserve your custom. I am incredibly disappointed as I had heard and believed this was a really nice family company.
You're lucky you received your blanket! I ordered one for my grandson 4 months ago. They charged my card very quickly, but still no blanket. And no response to voice mails or emails. Very frustrating.
@Sandi Edgar message them directly on their facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/weightedblankets?ref=ts&…
Tried that. If I post anything, it gets deleted. I can't seem to find any way to connect with them!
@Sandi Edgar I dot know if you and Amy are still in need of a weighted Blanket. There is a lady who makes them like no one else here in TN. She is raved on and requested by Certified PTR’s and OTR”s that love her custom designs as well. She was begged by professional clinicians to do them because they are done correctly which is cookbook important. Her prices are very readonable and the quality surpass all others I have seen. They are like no other I have seen ANC looked at– which is more ghsn I can count :). Would post a pic but don’t know how on here. She can provide you reference of her workmanship from people and here is her # 424-790-8805 EST. All the blankets are hypo-allergenic, Machine washable, double stitched and NOT stuffed with a bunched of polly fiber fill that wads up 🙁 She has worked with some of the best clinicians and doctors and really understands how a weighted blanket should be constructed and weight distributed through-out the entire blanket.. You should seethe one and did for a local young man here age 25 that is totally deaf and legally blind. Hope this helps you and Amy !
That is great! We have a weighted blanket that I borrowed from one of my son's therapists.
I put it on him when I put him in his crib but he's a mover, so it never stays on more than 10 minutes. If I go in to put it back on, his twin brother wakes up. sigh! Maybe I need one with a fabric and design he would like to snuggle with.
I hope Emmett loves his new blankie.
I'll hopefully put together the give-a-way over the weekend.
I've always admired the quality of DreamCatchers blankets. I've been to their site many, many times, contemplating the types of blankets I'd get for my two kids. I still haven't bought them yet; I'm hoping I can afford them by Christmas. I'm SO HAPPY your little boy was given this blanket and it's working for him. YAY!!
My recent post Autism News for Thursday, August 25, 2011
So glad to hear that Emmett likes his blanket and that it is providing comfort!!!
Eileen and JC
DreamCatcher Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets are so amazing. That video is too cute. I'm glad Emmett likes his blanket.
My recent post Thursday Thirteen
That's awesome!!! Video is soo cute 🙂 I've been wanting to get one for my son Colton, just haven't had the funds to do so. I hope Emmett enjoys his new "blanky" 🙂 I have heard they do help a lot with sensory input and calming. Hope it does the trick for him!!