Sleep Tight

Ferberizing, crying it out, white noise machines—most of us have tried at least one of these in our efforts to get our wee ones to sleep.

But many infants and children with autism or ADD seek a deeper pressure in order to fall asleep. Enter Hippo Hug, a Calgary-based company founded by local mom and behavioural consultant Leslie Brooks.

Hippo Hug’s weighted blankets and animals can help calm children (and adults) with sensory disorders, anxiety or stress. The blankets are slightly thicker than a standard quilt and hold weighted disks between two layers of cotton or bamboo batting. Because the disks are so thin, there is even weight distribution across the blanket, and you won’t get the shifting that can happen with beaded blankets. As unlikely as it is that they’d come loose through three seams, the disks are too wide to pose a choking hazard. The best part? No more running into their rooms in the middle of the night to replace fallen blankets.

All blankets are made to order, allowing you to customize the fabric, size and weight. It takes approximately four weeks to make each one, but once that cozy is in the right hands, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without it.

Now that sleep time is sorted, we’ve got the best ways to spend your waking hours. Keep moving with our fave 5 Fun Winter Activities in Calgary.