FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can we help you?
Or choose one of the following options
General Questions
All about weighted blankets and how they work
Materials & Manufacturing
All about our materials and how our weighted blankets are made
Nappers & Napplings
All about our chunky-knit, weighted blankets
Huggets
All about our satisfyingly squashy knot pillows
Care Instructions
How to wash and care for your Bearaby weighted blanket
Payments & Shipping
What to expect with shipping or returning your weighted blanket
General Questions
The magical benefits of our cozy, calming weighted blankets are backed by science! Sleeping under weight has been proven to lower stress, ease anxiety, and improve the quality of your sleep. Here’s how it works:
- Activates the effects of Deep Touch Pressure (DTP)
- Increases serotonin, the happy hormone, to make you feel more content
- Increases melatonin, the sleep regulating hormone, to lull you into a blissful slumber
- Decreases cortisol, the stress hormone, to help you relax
- Mimics the effects of ‘grounding’ or ‘earthing’ so you feel secure
- Mimics the sensation of a warm hug, to help you feel safe and relaxed
For more information, read our deep-dive into how weighted blankets work.
The most significant health benefits of weighted blankets include improved sleep and reduced feelings of anxiety and stress. Many people with autism, fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder, restless leg syndrome, or sensory processing disorder have found that sleeping under weight benefits their health.
If you’re curious about how weighted blankets ease anxiety, the science-supported explanation is that Deep Touch Pressure (DTP) helps your body naturally produce more serotonin (happy hormone) and melatonin (sleepy hormone) while curbing high cortisol (stress hormone) production. Studies show that sleeping under weight delivers the therapeutic benefits of deep touch pressure (DTP), which leaves us feeling calmer and more relaxed.
Many people have found it beneficial to use a weighted blanket for restless leg syndrome. The evenly distributed weight of our filler-free Nappers delivers the therapeutic effects of deep touch pressure, which can help to ease tension and restlessness throughout the night.
Most conventional weighted blankets are made from synthetic materials and filled with plastic pellets. This means that they’re hot and sweaty to sleep under, and they’re extremely damaging to the environment. At the end of their lifecycle, these synthetic blankets end up in landfills, while many of the plastic pellets make it to our oceans.
A Bearaby blanket does things differently. Unlike conventional weighted blankets, our Nappers are weighted with layer upon layer of our patented yarn instead of artificial fillers or plastic pellets. We use only sustainably-sourced plant-based fabrics, grown and made without the use of harmful pesticides or chemicals. Our hand-knit, chunky loop design and natural, breathable fabrics allow air to circulate around you so you stay at a just-right temperature while your weighted blanket naturally brings about better sleep and relaxation.
Another stand-out feature of our Nappers is that they look as good as they feel! We were even awarded a coveted Red Dot Award for Product Design. We believe that you should be able to enjoy products that deliver proven health benefits without compromising on style, so our weighted blankets complement every couch and bed, while you enjoy better sleep!
We developed an innovative way to layer organic cotton into a soft and chunky firm yarn that delivers the same amount of weight as traditional fillers, but more responsibly and effectively. It’s a technique that’s never been used before, and we even have a patent for it!
Our knitted design isn’t just a pretty face – it also serves an essential purpose. Our chunky loops evenly distribute weight over your body, while allowing air to circulate in and around the weaves. So you can rest assured you’ll never feel overheated while you sleep – a common complaint from those using traditional weighted blankets.
It takes around three weeks to form a new habit, and a new sleeping routine is no exception! If you’re using a weighted blanket for the first time, it’s important to listen to your body, allowing yourself to ease in and get used to the weight little by little. We recommend using the Napper for less than 2 hours during the first three days, and gradually increase the usage until you build up to a full night’s rest. After around ten days, you should begin to notice that you’re used to your blanket, and after three weeks you should start seeing the benefits of a new routine that includes natural, deep sleep.
The recommended weighted blanket weight is 10% of your body weight. Our Nappers are available in 10, 15, 20, and 25 lb weight options. To help you determine the weighted blanket weight that suits you best, take our handy quiz.
For children, we recommend a weighted blanket that’s around 15% of their body weight. Our weighted blanket for kids, the Nappling, is available in 6 and 8 lb weight options. If you need help finding out which weight is right for your child, take our short quiz.
While weighted blankets can help to treat some common sleep disorders, sleeping under weight isn’t recommended for people with certain pre-existing medical conditions, such as sleep apnea. Some people with conditions such as these found it uncomfortable to sleep under weight. If you have a condition that you’re concerned about, we always recommend that you check in with a healthcare professional before trying out a weighted blanket.
Don’t forget that we also offer a 30-day return policy, so if you get the green light from your doctor, you can try out one of our blankets and see if it works for you!
We don’t discount our products because we’re committed to creating high-quality products that are sustainably and responsibly made. If we discount our products, we’d have to compromise on this commitment. Instead, we use only the best organic materials, practice sustainable, closed-loop manufacturing, and pay everyone involved equitably and promptly.
We do, however, offer a payment plan through Afterpay that allows you to split the payment for your weighted blanket into monthly installments, with no additional cost or interest. This is our way of making sure that our products are accessible to anyone who wants them. We also offer free shipping for all our blankets.
The short answer is: maybe! There are a lot of nuances in insurance policies in general, and whether weighted blankets are covered comes down to the individual policy.. It often depends on what state you live in, what type of insurance you have, and what kinds of medical equipment are covered. Check out our blog post Are weighted blankets covered by insurance? for more guidance.
Yes – in fact, our Travel Napper is made for this very purpose! When packed into its duffel bag, our Travel Napper measures 20” x 10” x 10” – the perfect size for carry-on luggage. Our 10 lb Travel Napper is a filler-free travel weighted blanket that, unlike many other weighted blankets, doesn't contain plastic pellets or beads, so you don’t have to worry about fillers in your blanket causing delays as you make your way through airport security.
Provided you supervise your pet carefully, it’s safe to share your Napper with your fur baby Never let your fur baby bury itself under a weighted blanket unsupervised since the full weight of your Napper could be too heavy especially for a small or mid-sized pet. Make sure you’re keeping an eye on any furry family members cuddling with your Napper.
The good news is because our Nappers are hand-knitted with open loops that allow a constant supply of airflow, there is minimal risk of suffocation even if your dog or cat accidentally gets stuck underneath one of our weighted blankets. Also, because our Nappers get their heft from fabric layers, should your pet decide to chew your Napper, there are no small beads or plastic pellets that can spill out and pose a choking hazard.
Yes, you can head over to any Nordstrom location listed here to see our Cotton Nappers in real life.
Our Cotton Napper, Travel Napper, and Nappling are made from organic sustainably farmed cotton and are also MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX certified. Our Huggets are encased with the same signature cotton, and filled with our innovative Melofoam™ – a natural, responsive foam made from the sap of rubber trees.
Our Tree Napper is the ideal weighted blanket for hot sleepers. It’s made from Tencel Lyocell, an ultra sustainable, extra cooling, and completely biodegradable fabric. It’s made out of wood pulp from eucalyptus trees that are grown and replanted on specialized tree farms in Austria, in a sustainable closed-loop process that uses ten times less water than conventional fabrics. Our Tencel comes from eucalyptus wood pulp, making it extra cooling and completely biodegradable.
Our GRS-certified Velvet Nappers are made from ocean-bound plastic, preventing 900 plastic bottles from polluting our oceans
The Melofoam™ in our Huggets is GOLS-certfiied, meaning that it’s free of any harmful chemicals or pesticides. The manufacturing process is zero waste, and the materials in our Huggets are so natural, they’re fully biodegradable and compostable.
All of our products are Fairtrade International certified, meaning that they’re kind to the people that make them as well as the people that use them.
Our organic cotton is sustainably farmed in India. We’re committed to using 100% organic cotton because it creates a better life for the people who grow it, and a better product for the people who use it. It also uses 90% less water than conventional farming methods.
We use trusted third-party verification services to ensure that our raw materials meet international standards for organic farming. Our Cotton Napper, Travel Napper, and Nappling are made from organic sustainably farmed cotton and MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX.
Our Tree Nappers are made of Tencel, a soft and sustainable fabric made out of wood pulp, which is sustainably milled in Austria.
Our Velvet Nappers are made from ocean-bound plastic, preventing 900 plastic bottles from polluting our oceans.
Our Huggets are filled with Melofoam™, which is made from sap tapped directly from avea trees in Sri Lanka. The sap is collected in coconuts and gently steamed to form a solid foam. Our natural rubber foam is GOLS-certified, which means it’s completely organic, socially responsible, environmentally friendly, and traceable through every step of the supply chain.
All of our products are Fairtrade International certified.
All our products are hypoallergenic and carry OEKO-TEX certifications – this means none of our products contain any harmful substances, artificial chemicals, or pesticides, and they are produced in environmentally-friendly facilities.
We’re proud to say Bearaby is a zero-waste company. We’ve committed to a zero-plastic production line from the start, which means you won’t find any plastic wrapping or excess packing materials around our products.
We’re doing our bit to eliminate single-use plastic by shipping our products in 100% organic cotton bags, rather than using environmentally harmful and non-recyclable plastic packaging. These linen bags are designed to be reused and repurposed.
All of our Nappers are hand-knitted, so the size and weight can vary slightly. Our Napper is designed for a single person, and depending on the weight of the blanket, the dimensions are:
10 lbs - 40” x 64”
15 lbs - 40” x 72”
20 lbs - 45” x 72”
25 lbs - 48” x 72”
It’s simple: the Tree Napper is cooler and better for people who sleep hot, while the Cotton Napper is a good all-rounder!
If you like it cozy, usually don’t get overly hot at night, share the bed with a furry friend, and you want a Napper you can use all year round – the Cotton Napper is for you.
If you tend to sleep hot and often find yourself waking up feeling a bit sweaty every night – the Tree Napper is your perfect bedmate.
Our original, super soft Cotton Napper is made from organic sustainably-farmed cotton. Our cooling Tree Napper is made of Tencel, a biodegradable fiber made from eucalyptus trees, which are grown and replanted in a sustainable, closed-loop process in Austria.
On our blog, you can read more about the cool benefits of the tree-fabric Tencel.
We steer clear of artificial materials and use a breathable, chunky looped design, so all of our Nappers are natural and breathable.
Because Tencel is slightly more cooling than Cotton, we usually say that our Tree Napper is the best choice for hot sleepers. Our Cotton Napper is a better fit if you’re looking for something a little more cozy but still breathable. Our Velvet Napper is the warmest of all of our Nappers, and better suited to couch cuddles rather than all-night naps.
Our Cotton and Tree Nappers can be used both day and night, while our Velvet Napper is better suited for lighter use. If you’re using your Cotton or Tree Napper in bed and find that you’re too cold, we recommend layering your Napper on top of a thin sheet or comforter for extra warmth. We’ve been fortunate to get some great reviews from our customers who use their Napper in bed every night, as well as from fans who just use it on the couch as a naptime buddy - so choose whichever use suits you best!
The benefits of a weighted blanket for kids are down to the science of Deep Touch Pressure (DTP) Therapy. DTP is the application of an even pressure all over the body, which evokes the soothing feeling of a cuddle. It’s the same reason we swaddle babies, and it helps children to feel safe, comforted, and calm.
DTP has been scientifically proven to increase serotonin levels, which is the hormone responsible for our happiness. Serotonin also naturally converts into melatonin, which is the hormone that helps us to fall asleep.. During naptime or bedtime, this natural conversion can work wonders to help your child fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Many children seem to prefer a heavier weighted blanket, and studies have shown that a weight of 10-30% of a child’s body weight works well. For adults, we typically recommend a blanket that weighs 10% of their body weight. It’s best to see what your child feels comfortable with and ease them into a sensation of sleeping under weight gradually, so their body can get used to it over time.
Our Nappling is available in 6 (36”x 48”) and 8 (40”x60”) lbs. If you need help finding out which weight is right for your child, take our short quiz.
Using a weighted blanket for a toddler poses safety risks and we do not recommend using our weighted blanket for children younger than four years old.
Yes, our Napplings are all machine washable! We recommend that you wash it separately in cool water, selecting either the delicate or permanent-press cycle. You should then tumble dry the Nappling on low heat. Use a gentle detergent and avoid fabric softener or bleach.
Weighted blankets are safe for children aged four years and older. Using a weighted blanket for a toddler or a baby poses safety risks and we do not recommend using a weighted blanket for very young children.
Kids can use weighted blankets in a variety of ways:
- During nap time
- During night time
- Draped over his/her lap when doing homework
- Pull out a Nappling when your little one needs some downtime – Napplings pair especially well with a book on the couch!
Read our helpful article on how to use a weighted blanket for kids for more detailed information.
We recommend using a weighted blanket with your child gradually and helping them to understand what the pressure feels like, little by little. Try it on their lap during storytime and explain that the blanket helps to calm the body and mind.. At bedtime, for the first few nights, drape the blanket over your child’s legs rather than their whole body, to help them get used to it. Over time, cover their body up to the shoulders.
Read our helpful article on how to use a weighted blanket for kids for more detailed information.
If your child tends to be a sensory-seeker and has difficulty sleeping, a weighted blanket can be the perfect tool to help them calm down and naturally find better sleep over time.
Here are a few things to look for when considering using a Nappling for your child:
- Loves sleeping or lying under piles of blankets or heavy comforters
- Enjoys crawling into tight spaces or behind furniture
- Has difficulty relaxing and sitting still – even after a lot of physical activity
- Has difficulty focusing or attending to a task
- Likes to play rough, sometimes crashes into things on purpose, always jumping on the couch or bed
- Can be described as very physical or “wild”
If any of these statements could be true of your child, a Nappling could be a perfect tool to help them find a moment of calm!
Our magical Huggets are designed to look good while helping you feel good! The three available sizes all bring their own benefits:
- Our smallest Hugget works like a spongy stress ball, massaging reflex zones while your mind finds rest. Its palm-sized shape makes it easy to keep on-the-go stress relief close at hand.
- Our medium Hugget is gently weighted and perfect for rolling, hugging, squashing, or keeping anxious hands busy among its chunky loops. It’s a perfectly chic couch-buddy, ready to deliver therapeutic stress relief whenever you need a hug.
- Our largest Hugget weighs 3 lbs and makes a great lap cushion or bed companion, delivering the calming benefits of gentle weight while you cuddle up.
Our Huggets are about as natural as it gets. They’re filled with our satisfyingly squashy Melofoam™, which is a responsive foam made from sap tapped directly from rubber trees in Sri Lanka. The sap is collected in coconuts and gently steamed to form a bouncy, breathable foam. It’s a completely zero waste process that’s so natural, our knot pillow are fully biodegradable and compostable. Melofoam™ is GOLS-certified, which means it’s completely organic, socially responsible, and traceable through every step of the supply chain.
The outer shell of our Huggets is made from our supersoft GOTS-certified organic cotton. We are committed to using only 100% organic cotton from India as it makes a better life for the people who grow it, and a better product for the people who use it. Organic cotton also uses 90% less water than conventional farming methods, so it’s kinder to the planet, too.
We don’t recommend machine washing your Hugget, but it can be easily spot-cleaned to keep your snuggle companion in tip-top condition.
All of our Huggets are designed for functional wellness as well as home decor. Our 3 lb Large Hugget is the best knot pillow to cuddle in bed. Our 1 lb Medium Hugget is the best option to rest on your lap while lounging on the couch. Our smallest Hugget is perfectly sized for use as a palm-sized stress ball.
Our Huggets are ready to delight your senses in the 5 colors of our signature Cotton Napper: Moonstone Grey, Asteroid Grey, Cloud White, Evening Rose and Midnight Blue.
Our Cotton Napper, Travel Napper, Tree Napper, and Nappling can all be washed in the washing machine.
Our Velvet Nappers are a little more delicate and better suited to light use. We recommend dry cleaning your Velvet Napper, and rolling it up to keep it in tip-top shape for many naps to come.
If you are washing a Cotton Napper, Travel Napper, Tree Napper, or a Nappling, here are a few important tips for machine washing:
- Wash separately in cool water
- Select the delicate or permanent-press cycle
- Use only gentle or mild detergent
- Avoid using fabric softener or bleach
- Tumble dry on low heat – please note it may take more than one round for your Napper to dry completely
- Never hang your Napper up to dry – it’ll stretch out the lovely loops!
Always check your washing machine’s weight capacity because while our delightfully heavy blankets are great for deep sleep, they can be a bit heavy for washers and dryers! It’s essential to check beforehand if the washing machine and tumble dryer model you have can bear the full weight of your blanket.
Read more: How to wash your weighted blanket.
If you have a Cotton Napper, Tree Napper, Travel Napper or Nappling, we recommend tumble drying on low heat, keeping in mind that it may take two or more drying cycles to dry it out completely.
Never hang your Napper up to dry – it’ll stretch out all those tightly woven loops.
If you have a Velvet Napper, we recommend dry cleaning to ensure the delicate eco-velvet fabric stays wonderfully soft and in tip-top shape for many naps to come.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy laundromat in the US, we’ve listed our partner laundromats familiar with washing a Bearaby weighted blanket below:
Press Cleaners
Areas served: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, NYC, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, D.C., Seattle
Accepts: Cotton Nappers and Tree Nappers
The Soap Box
Areas served: Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Manhattan
Accepts: Cotton Nappers and Tree Nappers
Todd Layne Cleaners
Areas served: Upper East Side
Accepts: Cotton Nappers and Tree Nappers
Orange Bag
Areas served: Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley
Accepts: Cotton Nappers and Tree Nappers
Rinse
Areas served: SF Bay Area, San Jose, Oakland, Chicago, D.C., L.A., Boston
Accepts: Cotton Nappers, Tree Nappers, Velvet Nappers and Huggers.
Celsious
Areas served: Brooklyn
Accepts: Cotton Nappers and Tree Nappers
We don’t recommend machine-washing your Huggets, but it can be easily spot-cleaned to keep your snuggle companion in tip-top condition.
We recommend spot-cleaning your Hugget with a clean cloth and warm water. Dab marks gently with a damp cloth to remove dirt, and soak up any excess water with a clean dry cloth. Leave to air dry.
We recommend using Sleeper Covers or a regular duvet cover so that you don’t need to wash your Sleeper comforter too often. When it’s ready for a clean, wash your Sleeper separately in cold or lukewarm water, on a delicate or gentle cycle. If you bought the 25-pound Sleeper, consider taking it to the professionals so you don’t cause wear and tear on your washing machine. It’s also best to avoid a hard spin cycle.
The Sleeper can also be tumble-dried on a low setting, laid out flat to dry, or draped over a very sturdy surface. The King Sleepers can be unzipped and washed separately. For the King version, you can unzip and wash both halves separately on a gentle cycle.
Fast Shipping is free for orders over $50 USD across the contiguous U.S. and takes 6-10 business days. You can also choose to pay an additional fee to get Faster Shipping, which takes 3-5 business days or 3-Day Shipping - all handled by FedEx and USPS.
We also provide overnight shipping for an additional fee for all our weighted blankets, which include Cotton Nappers, Tree Nappers, Velvet Nappers, Travel Nappers and Huggers.
Unfortunately, we do not offer free shipping to Hawaii and Alaska. For shipments to those states, we offer various FedEx shipping options, which typically takes 4-5 business days.
Orders are typically processed within 1-2 business days, and shipping timelines are applied after your order has been processed.
If you’re based in Canada, or you are shipping to Canada, you can enjoy free shipping and easy returns on all of our weighted blankets when you order at www.bearaby.ca. Unfortunately, we do not yet ship our Huggets to Canada.
We only sell and ship our weighted blankets within the US at the moment. If you would like to ship to Canada, we offer our free shipping and hassle-free returns for all our weighted blankets when ordered through www.bearaby.ca.
Unfortunately, we do not yet ship our Huggets in Canada.
Our trusted retail partners, Nordstrom, ships our Cotton Napper internationally.
We can help you change the shipping address as long as your item hasn’t been shipped yet. Please contact us at hello@bearaby.com in order to get this changed.
We understand that sometimes things don’t work out as planned. That’s why we offer a 30-day return window.
Provided you haven’t washed your weighted blanket yet, and your shipping address is within the contiguous US, you can return your product. For medium and large Huggets, as long as the branded label is still attached to the product, you have the original packaging and your shipping address is within the contiguous US, you can return your Hugget.
To start a return click here.
We charge a processing fee of $14.99 USD when returning a Napper, Nappling or a medium or large Hugget, and $19.99 USD when returning a Hugger.
Please note that gift cards and the small Huggets are not exchangeable and non-refundable.
Once your return* is processed, we will automatically initiate a refund to your credit card or original method of payment. Credit will be received within 15 days, depending on your card issuer's policies.
Please keep in mind that we do charge a return processing fee of $14.99 USD for our Nappers, Napplings, and the medium and large Huggets, and a processing fee of $19.99 USD for our Huggers. This charge helps us cover the inspection and processing fees at our warehouse and fulfillment facilities.
*Please note that gift cards and the small Huggets are not exchangeable and non-refundable.
If you’re not completely in love with your purchase, we offer a 30-day exchange window on all our products*, provided your product is in tip top shape and your shipping address is within the contiguous US. Simply click here to request an exchange.
*Please note that gift cards and the small Huggets are not exchangeable and non-refundable.
We’re able to cover shipping for purchases and returns*, but we do charge a $14.99 USD processing fee for all our Nappers, Napplings, medium and large Huggets, and $19.99 USD for our Huggers. This helps us to cover the cost of inspecting and processing the return at our warehouse and fulfillment facilities.
*Please note that gift cards and the small Huggets are not exchangeable and non-refundable.
Just like normal orders, gift card purchases are eligible for free returns* for 30 days from your order date. The money will be refunded back to your gift card so you can use it to choose an alternative item. We do have to charge a $14.99 processing fee for all returned Nappers, Napplings and medium and large Huggets, and a $19.99 processing fee for all returned Huggers to cover the inspection and processing fees at our warehouse.
*Please note that gift cards and the small Huggets are not exchangeable and non-refundable.
Look for the ‘Gift card or discount code’ option on the right-hand side of the page at the checkout, where you’ll be prompted to enter your unique code. Unfortunately, we can’t apply a gift card code if you’ve already purchased using a different payment method.
We currently accept all credit card and Paypal payments. We also offer a monthly payment plan through Shop Pay and Afterpay so that you can pay over time at no additional cost.
If you’d like to change or cancel your order, please email us as soon as possible at hello@bearaby.com or get in touch via this contact form. Unfortunately, no orders can be canceled once they have been processed and fulfilled by our warehouse, but our team will do our best to help!
Unfortunately, e-gift cards purchases can't be canceled and are non-refundable.