Is Your Child's Backpack Too Heavy? A Pediatrician Shares How to Tell

"You tell your kid to put both of those shoulder straps on because they'll usually put it on one, and it'll cause unilateral shoulder strain and back strain on that one side. Use both the straps."

"because you can then put the heaviest stuff towards the kiddo's back, as far back into the backpack as possible, so it's closest to the body, easier to carry."

"They shouldn't be wider than a child's back or hang below their waist,"

Large, heavy backpacks can cause back and shoulder pain and other injuries in children. Continuous, significant back pain may have other causes and should prompt consultation with a healthcare provider. Backpacks should have wide, thick shoulder straps and children should wear both straps to avoid unilateral shoulder and back strain. Multiple compartments help place heavier items close to the child's back so the load sits nearest the body. Backpacks should not be wider than a child's back or hang below the waist. Total backpack weight should generally stay under 10% of a child's body weight.

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