Don't Overlook This 1 Thing That Might Help Kids Finally Sleep Better

As someone who unknowingly grew up with anxiety and panic, I didn't develop coping tools until much later in life when I could understand behaviors and treat them. As a child, though, my parents and I didn't know much about mental health (no one did back then), let alone did we have products like weighted blankets on the market.

Now, there are a flurry of brands deeply committed to helping families, couples, and children learn how to calm down, relax, and, ultimately, sleep. By way of weighted blankets, which use weights to apply firm and constant pressure, anxious children, kids with autism, and just anyone who has trouble falling asleep at night can benefit from cozying up underneath one. The hug-like sensation stimulates the production of serotonin and endorphins, two naturally occurring calming chemicals in the body.

Weighted blankets don't have to be limited to just sleep time, though; they can be used at any point of the day. See our top picks, and remember that if you're giving one to a child to use, they should be strong enough to push it off themselves without assistance. If you're not sure, consult with a pediatrician before leaving a child unattended with one.