Jerusalem Business Blog: ATTENTION MOM'S !!!! Is Your Child carrying his/her Backpack Correctly or Is the Backpack carrying Them??

The New Year is upon us and school year has started for our children. So many things to think about....school supplies to apples and honey.

Who has time to think about or even be concerned that the backpack we brought our children for their school books may or may not be good for our child's backs; or that they may or may not be carrying their backpacks correctly.

So, you go ahead and prepare for the New Year and I will make sure you get the proper information you need to check the backpack , the books, the child and their spine.

Just keep an eye out for any of these scenarios...

And if you see any of your children looking like this, here are some well researched and well documented rules of thumb for carrying backpacks and proper fitting.

Proper Fitting

1. Using your height or back height or back length measurement, choose the pack that best fits your body.

2. Load the backpack heaviest items next to your back being careful not to exceed 15% of your body weight.

3. Cinch the side straps to bring the load closer to your center of gravity.

4. Adjust the shoulder straps at the top so that the bottom of the back rests at the small of your back. Keep adjusting it until you find the optimal positioning.

5. Make sure there are padded, wide (2-inches), adjustable shoulder straps on the backpack with a padded back. Best to have a hip strap, waist belt, or frame to redistribute the weight of the backpack from the shoulders and back to the pelvis.

When a heavy weight, such as a backpack filled with books, is incorrectly placed on the shoulders, the weight's force can pull a child backward. To compensate, a child may bend forward at the hips or arch the back, which can cause the spine to compress unnaturally. The heavy weight might cause some kids to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain.

Kids who wear their backpacks over just one shoulder — as many do, because they think it looks better or just feels easier — may end up leaning to one side to offset the extra weight. They might develop lower and upper back pain and strain their shoulders and neck.

Improper backpack use can also lead to poor posture. Girls and younger kids may be especially at risk for backpack-related injuries because they're smaller and may carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight.