Frequently Asked Questions...
Would you use a leash on your toddler?
I always see the animal backpacks (at the store) with a leash attachment for toddlers. I never see parents using them on their kids. I can understand why these products would be good for parents to be sure they have their kid controlled while walking on the street or whatever. Does anyone ever buy these though?
Answer:
We did use one for our oldest son. He was a bolter. In an open space he would run. At 18 months old he was a baby who would scream blue murder if placed in a stroller. Not just when placed in the stroller but for the entire time he was in the stroller. He wasn't at an age where he understood that if he ran off on a busy street that he could get hit by a car. It wasn't something that we dragged him around in. When he was using it we worked on having him hold our hand and not running away. It was a safety precaution for us.
At just shy of 2 years old we were at a doctor's appointment for my 2nd pregnancy. My mother was with us and was holding my son's hand. He slipped her grasp and bolted in a busy carpark to chase a bird. Luckily there were no cars nearby at the time. Being heavily pregnant I couldn't chase him but luckily my mother caught him quickly. If I had been by myself anything could have happened. So we started using a harness. It worked for us and we never had any negative comments at all.
Kids Backpack Toddler
Kelty Kids baby/toddler backpack
10 Tips for Choosing a Kids Backpack
Given the many choice on the market, whether for school or camp, choosing a kids backpack can be challenge . Below are 10 tips to considering when shopping around for a child's backpack.
1. Choose a school bag that is made out of lightweight materials. Lighter backpacks are easier on the back and can help prevent injuries and discomfort when carrying a load.
2. Pick a book bag that has padded and adjustable back straps. You might also want to consider one with a hanging hook. Ideal for hanging in a child's locker area or hook at home.
3. Select a bag for kids that features multiple front and side pockets for easy access to frequently used items.
4. Size matters. Choose a bag that is proportionally sized to your child's frame.
5. Limit the weight of your bag to 15% of a child's body. You don't want your child to develop any back issues early on which may affect them later on in life.
6. If you anticipate your child carrying larger loads, you might want to consider a bag that includes chest and waist support straps. Make sure these straps are adjustable using a clip or velcro closures.
7. Look for bags that are made of canvas material (600D Polyester is a good start). Plastic ones tend to tear easily.
8. There are three types of school bags on the market these days; toddler, mid-size and full-sized. Choose the correct one for your purposes. Ask yourself if your child will use the bag to carry books, clothing, beach towels for camp, or simply smaller things to go to daycare.
9. Zippers are an important element to also consider. Make sure they are easy to use by those little hands.
10. Theme. Last, but no least, THE most important factor to take into account in choosing a kids backpack is design. There are many licensed character backpacks on the market these days. There are Disney backpacks for school including Disney Princess backpacks, Disney Cars backpacks (this one will surely be hot this year with the new Disney Cars 2 movie coming out this summer), Max and Ruby backpacks, Caillou backpacks (ideal for the preschool croud), and many more.
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