Back To School Tips Kids Backpacks 101 Which backpacks are safest for kids? Plus, how to wear backpacks to avoid aches and pains. Pack for Maximum Comfort A backpack loaded with a days worth of books and gear can be a heavy burden for your child. Before you start packing, experts recommend a simple set of guidelines to follow that will help you measure the weight of your kids backpack against his or her body weight. The AAOS recommends that a child shouldnt carry a backpack that exceeds 15%-20% of their body weight, says Karol. An easy way to test how much your kids backpack actually weighs is to place it on your bathroom scale. While it might not be exact, itll tell you if youre creeping into the red zone and putting your child at risk of developing back pain. But err on the side of caution, explains Hennrikus. A reasonable recommendation is a 10% cutoff weight for bodyweight, he says. This will help reduce the risk of injury related to falls and relieve pain that comes from wearing giant backpacks loaded with school supplies. With 10% as the more conservative target, heres a breakdown by body weight for measuring how much your child should be lugging around in his backpack: Childs Weight Backpack Weight 50 pounds 5 pounds 75 pounds 7.5 pounds 100 pounds 10 pounds 125 pounds 12.5 pounds 150 pounds 15 pounds Wear It Well So now you know what to buy, how to pack it, and how much your kids backpack should weigh. But does your child know how to wear it well? Experts offer backpack tips to help kids lighten the load: *Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging the backpack over one shoulder can cause muscle pain in the neck, back, and shoulder. *Let kids figure out where it fits most comfortably, but try to tighten the straps so that the pack is close to the body. Still, dont go overboard. The straps should be not so tight that they pull on the shoulders. *Backpacks are teeming with pockets, and you should use them all! Distribute the load throughout all the different compartments to even out the weight, and avoid putting all of your childs books in one area so that the backpack becomes top- or bottom-heavy. *If your child has a locker, encourage him to drop his stuff off for the day so he isnt forced to carry around extra weight. *Remember that your kids arms work, too. Just because you have a backpack doesnt mean everything has to go in it, says Karol. They can take one or two books out of their bags and carry them in their arms. What does your child carry in his school backpack? Talk about it on WebMDs Parenting: Preschoolers and Grade Schoolers message board.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 00:46:05 +0000
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