Backpack Tips For Back-To-School

It's Back-To-School for all kids! That means waking up early, going to bed early and lots and lots of homework! Do your kids carry a backpack to transport all of that homework? How heavy is that backpack?Here are some tips for parents on what to look for when your kids carry backpacks:

1) Backpack should not weigh more than 15% of child’s body weight

• Clean out daily any items that can be left @ home or in locker/school
• Talk with teachers about leaving heaviest books at school and bring home lighter handouts or workbooks.
• Downsize the backpack according to child’s size.

2) Place heaviest items closest to the body

• Use individual compartments to help distribute weight of contents evenly across the back.

3) Wear both straps

• Wide padded straps are best, non-padded straps dig into shoulders
• Single straps on shoulders causes weight shifts
• Adjust both straps for the 4 inch rule

4) Teach child to pick up his or her backpack properly

• Bend at knees and grasp pack with both hands before putting it on. Bending at the waist increases pressure on back by a 10:1 factor.

It takes 10 lbs to lift 10 lbs with a centered fulcrum (like a see-saw). 60% of our body weight is carried above the waist because our hips aren't perfectly centered. A 50 lb child carries 30 lbs (300 lbs of pressure) plus the weight of backpack above waist. A 12 lb backpack will add an additional 120 lbs of pressure to the upper body when bending and lifting.

What to watch for…

• Does your child stoop forward in an attempt to support the additional weight they are carrying?
• Does the backpack hang more than 4 inches below the waistline?
• Is the backpack too big? The bigger it is, the more “stuff” can be put in it.
• Does child complain of any numbness, tingling, or “sprinkles” in shoulders, arms, or hands?

{Courtesy of Dr. Eric Snipes of The Joint}