Back to school
With school just around the corner we wanted to give you some basic tips to ensure your little ones backpack is fitting well and also to help reduce the risk of injury.
- Encourage light packing: The best way to start of backpack season is by enforcing good habits. Start by laying out all the items you think you might need to pack. Decide what is essential, and what can be eliminated. Only pack what you need.
- Load it evenly: Backpacks are made to distribute weight evenly. Make sure the heaviest items are positioned closest to the centre of the back. It stabilizes their centre of gravity and helps prevent slouching, tilting to one side, or falling over.
- Make sure it is the right weight: Ideally, a backpack should be no more than 10-15% of the wearer’s body weight. This is especially important to consider with smaller children.
- Lift with your legs: As with lifting any sort of weighted object, it is best to lift with your legs. Teach your child to place their backpack on the ground behind them, bend at the knees, put their arms loosely through the straps with their hands holding on, and to stand up with the backpack, lifting with their legs.
- Make sure the straps are tightened: For proper support, the backpack should fit securely on both shoulders and should rest on the contour of the back. If it is hanging over the buttocks, it’s too low!!
- Discomfort is a clear sign! Even if the bag looks right, it might not feel right. Do not go on wearing a bag that feels out of place if it’s something you can adjust. How your child, “how does that feel on your back?”. If they’re uncomfortable I’m sure they’ll let you know
- Monitor their comfort: Do not assume that when the bag has been fitted once it will be set for life. Maybe a strap has been pulled tighter or loosened, maybe it is filled a bit too heavy on occasion, or maybe the objects in the bag on some days are weighted to one side instead of centred. By checking how the bag fits each day, you are looking out for future you!
- Wear both arm straps: Carrying their bag over one shoulder or holding it over one arm in front of them promotes uneven posture, which, if it becomes a habit, can lead to problems down the line.
- Reduce backpack wearing time: Take your bag off for extended subway rides or while just waiting around. This ensures you are not wearing their bag for longer than you have to!