With the fall semester just around the corner, it will soon be time for back-to-school shopping. Backpacks are generally one of the first and most important of these purchases. Remember that your child’s comfort is a priority, and the right bag can prevent neck and back pain. The following guide explores key features and tips for backpack shopping.
How Heavy Backpacks Affect Health
Heavy backpacks pull your child’s body backward. To compensate, they’ll lean forward, straining their spine. Over an extended period, this stress on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments can create reoccurring neck and back pain. A similar issue happens with messenger bags. Your child will lean to one side to counter the bag’s weight, resulting in torso pain. Neck discomfort is also known to generate headaches that can be a constant distraction in the classroom.
How to Choose the Right Backpack
Start by looking for a quality backpack. More expensive products will have better stitching, stronger zippers, and more padding to hold the bag together. Next, find the right fit. The backpack should be roughly the same width as your child’s body, so it doesn’t pull them to either side. You should also be able to adjust the straps, so the backpack sits just above the waist and a few inches below their shoulder blades. Stick with bags that have two straps to balance the load on your child’s shoulders and prevent back pain.
Look for These Features
You can increase comfort by purchasing a bag with wide, padded straps. The cushion absorbs stress on the shoulders, and the wide straps disperse the bag’s weight even better. A padded back will have the same effect on your child’s spine. If they’re more comfortable, they’re more likely to maintain the correct posture. Consider a bag with adjustable chest or waist straps as well, since they lock across your child’s sternum or waistline to better distribute weight and prevent back pain.