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Weighted stuffed animal: calm you can hold
A weighted stuffed animal is a soft toy with added weight, usually 1 to 2 kg. Many people find it wonderfully calming to hold one or rest it on their lap.
Topics
What would you like to know more about?
- The basicsWhat a weighted stuffed animal is, how it works and why it feels so calming.9 articles
- Benefits & usesHow a weighted stuffed animal can help, from sleep to sensory overload.13 articles
- Who it's forFor children, teenagers, adults and older people: what it can offer.6 articles
- Choosing & usingWeight, shape, material, washing and comfortable everyday use.16 articles
- SafetyHow to use it safely: ground rules, age and quality marks.6 articles
- Help me chooseFour short questions, and you get calm advice on weight and use.Start the questions
How it works
Why it feels so good
A weighted stuffed animal gives calm, even pressure, a bit like a firm hug. Many people notice that it helps them relax more easily.
- 01
Deep pressure feels calming
Firm, even pressure feels like a hug to many people. The idea comes from occupational therapy.
- 02
Good experiences with blankets
Under a weighted blanket, many people feel calmer and say they sleep better.
- 03
Something soft to hold
A stuffed animal gives comfort and something to hold on to: on the sofa, on the go or at a nervous moment.
Safety first
How to use it safely
With these five simple rules you get the most out of it, calmly and safely, for children and adults.
- 01
Not for babies and toddlers, and never in or near a cot.
- 02
Whoever uses it can always lift it and push it away themselves.
- 03
Never on the face, head or neck.
- 04
With young children: supervision, and not in bed at night.
- 05
Never as a punishment, or to keep someone still.
Most read
Where most readers start
- Choosing & using How heavy should a weighted stuffed animal be? You can choose a comfortable weight using two simple starting points: the lightest weight that still feels pleasant, and a stuffed animal that the… Read more
- Safety From what age is a weighted stuffed animal suitable? A weighted stuffed animal is suitable from the age of 3, and from that age it can have a lovely place in your child's day. According to the European… Read more
- The basics Do weighted stuffed animals really help? What research shows Many people find a weighted stuffed animal calming and comforting, and that is a lovely reason to try one. Research on weighted stuffed animals… Read more
- Choosing & using How to wash a weighted stuffed animal You can keep a weighted stuffed animal fresh with a few simple steps. Check the care label first: it tells you whether it can go in the machine… Read more
- Who it's for Weighted stuffed animal for adults: you are never too old for one Many adults use a weighted stuffed animal to unwind, for example on the sofa in the evening or when falling asleep. Many people find the soft weight… Read more
- Benefits & uses Weighted stuffed animals and autism A weighted stuffed animal can be a comforting source of calm for autistic children and adults, for example after a busy day or during transitions… Read more
Frequently asked questions
Short answers
A weighted stuffed animal is also called a weighted plush toy, a weighted soft toy or a weighted teddy, although a ‘birth weight teddy’ usually means something else: a keepsake that weighs as much as a newborn baby.
What exactly is a weighted stuffed animal?
A soft stuffed animal with added weight, usually 1 to 2 kg. The weight often comes from fine glass beads in an inner bag or in compartments. When you hold it or rest it on your lap, you feel calm, even pressure. Many people experience this as a firm, reassuring hug.
Does a weighted stuffed animal really help?
Many people find a weighted stuffed animal calming and comforting. Research into the stuffed animal itself is still at an early stage. With weighted blankets, which work on the same idea, many people feel calmer and say they sleep better. The best way to find out what it does for you is to try it for a few weeks.
Who is a weighted stuffed animal for?
For children aged 3 and over, teenagers and adults who like holding something heavy, for example to relax, when they feel tense, when they are overstimulated or at bedtime. It is not suitable for babies and toddlers. If someone has breathing, heart or circulation problems, epilepsy or low muscle strength, ask for advice first.
How many kilos should a weighted stuffed animal weigh?
Choose the lightest weight that still feels comfortable; for most adults that is 1 to 2 kg. The user must always be able to lift the stuffed animal and push it away easily themselves, so for young children you choose a light one. You don't need a fixed formula: heavier isn't necessarily better.
Can my child use a weighted stuffed animal?
From the age of 3 it can be lovely, with a few firm ground rules. Stay with your child while they use it, don't let them take it to bed at night, never put it on the face, head or neck, and choose a weight your child can easily lift and push away themselves. If you're unsure, ask your child's doctor, the person at school who coordinates extra support or an occupational therapist.
Help me choose
Which weighted stuffed animal suits you?
Four short questions. Then you get calm advice on weight, use and safety.