So, I was looking for an alternative to a weighted blanket because I couldn't afford one, and I came across the idea of a weighted stuffed animal.

I got to thinking about how I could do it in a mess free fashion, and not overstuff the plushie or lose it's softness. After a bit of looking around I found the idea of using a sock to fill up, and that got me thinking on the medical side of things. Back when I'd sprain an ankle or something, I'd use a sock full of rice and toss it in the microwave to make a makeshift heating pad. It worked, and worked well too.

So I was thinking of how to stuff a plushie and use it for the same purpose of a weighted lap pad or something, but also a heating pad. I was thinking, what if you took some strong velcro and sewed it into the inside of the incision on the stuffed animal's back, so you could fold it in and it'd stay shut- but if you needed to readjust the weight amount/position you could just unvelcro it and take it out. Then I thought, well you can also probably take it out and put it in the microwave for a bit for those cold nights, or when your kid needs a little extra warmth.

Some people like certain aromas too, so a dab of some kind of mineral oil could be used too possibly. o: Me personally, I'm too sensitive for that, I'd end up sniffing my plushie all night and not getting off to sleep like I planned to.

You can easily just wash the plushie in cold water and air dry it, or even take the sock-rice out and wash it regularly. :3

Any thoughts? o: I think I'm going to do this with a test plushie sometime, a nice big soft bunny I have sitting in my room. x3

Oh, that sounds like a nice idea! And there are some stuffed animals that have things in them, like a Gloworm that has a glow thingie in it, that are already made with the velcro back. Wouldn't take too much work to make that happen, I would bet.

Alright, well after about 2 hours of fighting with this plushie, I came to the conclusion that the sock idea doesn't work all too well because it's VERY hard to stuff a full sock into a small hole with the plushie. So, I did the next best thing and removed all the stuffing and replaced it ALL with rice. My boyfriend helped me with this, as my arms were getting very tired halfway through the process. When we were finished, I took some string in a thread and made it 4 times the strength as normal, and just hand stitched it back together.

Final result, a 5 lb plushie that still is cuddly but also works well for the deep pressure :3

Niiiice. I think I'm gonna have to try it.

It's nice, thats for sure :3 I don't know just how often I'm supposed to use it, I plan on asking an OT i've been talking to once her life calms down a bit, until then I've just been cuddling it like I do any other plushie.

I doubt there's a right or wrong way to do it. I'd say go with what makes you feel good.

I have to admit that once, while I was in a day therapy program (long story), I carried my bear with me everywhere. It was wonderful to be in an environment where people didn't down me for that. I just hugged him whenever it got too tough. I'm glad, now, that I was brave enough to do that.

I'm always bringing my plushies with me and my blanket whenever I go to someone's house, I've become dependent on them to sleep actually. ^^; They're really soothing, I can't really explain why. And this bunny feels like it was supposed to be made of rice, it's really nice (no rhyme intended =p )

(10-20-2010, 03:33 PM)Sila Wrote: I'm always bringing my plushies with me and my blanket whenever I go to someone's house, I've become dependent on them to sleep actually. ^^; They're really soothing, I can't really explain why. And this bunny feels like it was supposed to be made of rice, it's really nice (no rhyme intended =p )

I love this idea.

I sew ALOT. And I was going to making my dd7 a weighted blanket but after seeing all the sewing and the pellets kept falling out while I was sewing I think I might just do a plushie this way for her. I do want to make her a lap pad too as the blanket was just too much of a task for me. But I do love the idea of the plushie!

Hmmm....I must try it.

I do make "boo boo packs" that are filled with dry rice and I do add essential oils if my customers want. We own over a dozen in our house all different sizes for us all and we love them!