(Image source from: Is your child's backpack too heavy to handle?})
How often have you heard your little one complain about a nagging pain on head, neck, arms and back? If so, it's time to act, my dear mothers!
Backpack injury is no rare thing. While seeing little ones saddle heavy backpacks is an all-too-common-sight for us, know that the hazards associated aren't too little or less. Hence, the need to exercise caution while buying and packing your child's backpack.
A recent study on school children and backpacks revealed astonishing facts. Pour over:
- Girls were more likely to have discomfort
- Backpacks weighing more than 20% of a child's body weight were associated with pain
- Backpacks carried in hand, instead of on the back caused more severe pain
- About 20% of kids reported pain lasting more than six months.
To lessen their burden, help your kids understand which books to bring home and which to leave at school.
Not just that, make a wise buy. Never buy backpacks online. Always buy them from stores and ensure that it ends above the waist and comes with tight, padded straps.
Train you kids to use both straps and not just sling the bag over one shoulder. That way, their back would stress out little.
Heavier books and binders should be placed closer to the back.
If your child continues to experience pain, be sure to discuss it with your pediatrician.
(With inputs from Stylist)
AW: Suchorita Dutta
