Toddler Harnesses?

RebeccaMichael

What's your thoughts?? After my son's tantrum yesterday all because he wanted to walk but wouldn't stay with me and didn't want to be in his stroller (he's only 13 months), I'm seriously considering one, but I'm finding it to be soooo controversial! Just interested to see what you ladies think!

Ivana_Stolichnaya

I say go for it and who cares what other people think.  You want to keep your LO safe and those harnesses help to do that.

JLG95

I'm thinking about getting one once baby is reliably bipedal and if he shows any tendencies to bolt.

ssmith325

I have one, and I lOVE IT!  I used it for both my girls.

I think people who bash them are stupid....my UO.

Toddlers love freedom, they love to walk & explore, they love to feel independent and in control.....

They don't always want to sit in a stroller, or hold an adult's hand....can you blame them?!?!

This way, they are 100% safe & happy! 

I think they are fantastic!  I'll see if I can find a pic of DD#1...

RebeccaMichael

I put this up to see what people thought not so much for people to put other people down. I don't know how you teach a 13 month old to stay with you at all times. And as for your dogs...good for you, but we have a fence so that probably makes me a bad dog owner, too?

 

Thanks to all the previous ladies, I really appreciate it! I'm actually more excited now, and like one woman said it's all about the freedom, and that's what he wants so bad, he HATES carseats, carts, strollers for a period of time. Thanks again!

lilwildthing

I don't think anyone was putting anyone down, just giving honest opinions.

Having said that, I have been considering a harness for DS.  Before I was a mom  I was a member of the "leashes are for dogs" camp.  Now I have a toddler and I know how difficult it can be once they start to strive for more independence.   My DS wants to walk and explore!  Like a PP said can you blame him?  I want him to be happy and safe. I also want to get back to enjoying our outings together.  We are still trying the hand holding, and it is getting better.  But I am considering a harness as well.

 

* Just an idea to consider...Has anyone been a witness to a dog that listens better than a toddler? 

RebeccaMichael

I definitely think it can be over-used but the mall and big/busy places like that yes, that's where I need it.

 It's not that I don't like the previous comment because she doesn't care for it, it's the way she went about it just seemed "off-putting".

vmm0016

https://www.target.com/s?keywords=child+harness&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&ref=sr_bx_1_1

This is the type of one we have.  Keira loves it!  She has a pink puppy one but they don't sell that one anymore.  Anyway, I have gotten mostly positive responses when out with her.  We have a runner, so it gives me peace of mind!

Blackvelvet

We have one but when Ds tries to run away he falls over backwards so it hasn't worked for us.  It has a safty bundge thing in it but it's not enough.  We just have to watch him and let him be in the car screaming he will not go in the stroller

RubineLime

MandJS:

I'm not a huge fan. I think you can teach your kiddo to stay close. That said, I also have worked hard on training my dog and don't keep her on a leash all the time, either. She knows that she can't go too far and she stays put. If my dog can figure it out, I feel like my kid should also be able to. So far, not an issue in my world, but then, we don't use a stroller all that often. S is usually either walking or we wear her...

Same here. If DD doesn't want to sit in the stroller, she holds onto a strap that is attached to the side of it. I never wanted one of those leash things. Leashes are for animals, not children. JMO.

khagan9368

I have one, I love it, Kayla loves it.  She feels "free" walking down the street, or the mall and I know she's not getting away.  Yeah, I get the side eye from people at times but they can kiss my butt! 

khagan9368

Of course i'm a child abuser so what do i know

Shayna0182

We have a cute one that looks like a lion backpack, that I bought from One Step Ahead.  I've only used it once, on a trip to the mall, and it was wonderful.  Ds was able to walk next to me without trying to run away.  I had 3 people ask where I bought it. 

I wouldn't misuse it, but I don't think they're bad at all if you're somewhere crowded like a mall.

RaeAnt

We recently got DS an Elmo one but it's not the backpack style. We figured if the hooks were in the front as the back pack ones are, he'd have it unhooked and out of it in no time. The Elmo one looks like he's sporting a stuff animal on his chest. He rubs and pets him. So far we have mixed feelings about it. DS wasn't wanting to stay in his stroller, cart, or hold our hand when walking. Now half the time he's decided he doesn't want to walk, but he wants to be carried. So far the only time I've used it, it was a disaster. I took him to the mall and while it gave him freedom, it was too much freedom because he could still grab things of shelves or whatever. I ended up having to reign him in basically to where the lead and the harness hook. I then ended up carrying him anyway. Hopefully it will work well when we go some place like Sea World. That's where we figure it is really necessary.

diana.filipi

I got one off craigslist.  It's a monkey on your back leash :-)  The leash pulls DD at the lower back area if it was to pull at all.  I have only used it once and ended up pulling DD back onto her butt.  Overall, I haven't made up my mind.  I have a VERY independent minded child and she's able to run now, not just walk.  I guess I would probably only use it in a NEEDED situation. 

 

bobbs420

I just got ours in the mail today I NEVER thought I would use one, but I can honestly say I LOVE IT!! Not for all situations, but he is very independent, and loves to walk on his own. It sometimes turns into a battle because he doesn't like to hold my hand all of the time, so I feel like the harness allows him to stay close and safe while still exploring! We ordered the Munchkin one from Amazon.

MeghanF13

We used it a lot at that age. We don't use it as much, except in crowds or when I know she might get distracted and run off.

shihtzumomma

I just bought one the other day after a trip to the zoo and realizing a harness would come in handy. She wanted to walk around and be independant, but kept running off. I don't really care if others think I'm cruel, it will keep my child safe and that is what matters to me.

g8trkim

Personally, I don't think I would get one but to each their own. If it works best for you than get it. And honestly, how is it really any different than straping them down in a stroller.

g8trkim

RebeccaMichael:

I put this up to see what people thought not so much for people to put other people down. I don't know how you teach a 13 month old to stay with you at all times. And as for your dogs...good for you, but we have a fence so that probably makes me a bad dog owner, too?

Thanks to all the previous ladies, I really appreciate it! I'm actually more excited now, and like one woman said it's all about the freedom, and that's what he wants so bad, he HATES carseats, carts, strollers for a period of time. Thanks again!

Wow, you read way too much into that comment. I actually thought her post was pretty nice and insightful.

ESD_0707

I have made fun of people using them in the past, but if we're going someplace really crowded (like a theme park, for example), I could see myself using one.

12bailey18

DH doesn't like them but I'm getting one to use for airports. I will be flying a lot by myslef with two LO's and you better believe I have no problem using a harness in busy airports...LOL. For everyday use though, not so much. I'm not against them by any means but I don't see the necessity for everyday use.

LLB430

I just bought this to take to Disney next week...https://www.kinderkord.com/productcart/pc/index.asp hoping dd will stay in her stroller but wanted back up. Hoping I don't need it but figure it will be worth its weight in gold if she fights the stroller while we are there.

monkeyqueen

MandJS:

I'm not a huge fan. I think you can teach your kiddo to stay close. That said, I also have worked hard on training my dog and don't keep her on a leash all the time, either. She knows that she can't go too far and she stays put. If my dog can figure it out, I feel like my kid should also be able to. So far, not an issue in my world, but then, we don't use a stroller all that often. S is usually either walking or we wear her...

Dogs are way easier to train than kids!  lol:)   Or, rather, my dogs were easier to train than my kids!

OP: I have a harness, but we haven't used it (yet).    

rnfromtn

khagan9368:

Of course i'm a child abuser so what do i know

LOL!

rnfromtn

We have the puppy one from target.  He doesn't even notice it.  haven't used it much in public yet, but we let him wear just the puppy part around the house to get used to it.  He definitely does not let us hold his hand, so this was the next best option.

LoriJ11

I am glad you posted this. I am highly considering it myself as I almost ran out of a store after my DD today with a shirt in my hand (that wasn't paid for!) She won't hold my hand and she is so fast and all over the place. I can't turn my head for a second. I don't know how it will go but I might try it. Just for malls and we go to Busch Gardens a lot.

jnicole1120

I say go for it!  We have this and DD is just fine.  She asks for her "monkey packpack".  I've got looks from people at the mall - I totally don't care, I think it gives her freedom while keeping her safe.  She is FAST!!

Lesley0228

Before DD was walking I would have said they're fine, but not for us. Then she started walking and I went hmmm... something to consider. Now she runs and its like why the heck didn't I get one a month ago. DD does well in the stroller for short periods of time or will sometimes walk holding our hands, but she has natural curiousity and wants to explore. She stopped listening when we called her name months ago and now just takes off running in the opposite direction. Most of the time, I don't put her down unless its somewhere where I can safely watch her and we work daily on getting her to listen to us and walk safely. However, now summer is coming and we would like to go to amusement parks, festivals, the zoo, etc. Its not fair to make DD sit in the stroller all day and these sort of crowded and possibly unsafe (OMG My kid could fall in a lion pit) places are just not where I want to be working on DDs listening skills. So we will be getting a backpack harness soon. I plan to use it limitedly and only when safety is a concern.

Que*Syrah

I think they have their time and place. If it works for you, then go for it.

Que*Syrah

RebeccaMichael:

I put this up to see what people thought not so much for people to put other people down. I don't know how you teach a 13 month old to stay with you at all times. And as for your dogs...good for you, but we have a fence so that probably makes me a bad dog owner, too?

 

Thanks to all the previous ladies, I really appreciate it! I'm actually more excited now, and like one woman said it's all about the freedom, and that's what he wants so bad, he HATES carseats, carts, strollers for a period of time. Thanks again!

we tell DS that he has to stay with us and hold a hand. If he doesn't, he gets two warnings and then goes in the cart or stroller. If he cries, he cries. But he gets it because he'll listen when we tell him he can't let go or he's going in the stroller/cart. You just have to stick with it. If LO can't stay near you or holding your hand, they lose the privilege of walking. Eventually they'll get it.

 

MoMandA

I had to look back for this prior post of mine:

My boys have the stuffed toy / harness / back pack leashes. They loved them in the house and spent hours "walking" each other in our living room. I used them for the first time in public in the airport last week so I could get them through security out of their stroller. One of them threw himself down on his face and started screaming bloody murder and the other one stood over him crying no momma, no no momma, noooooo, oh no no momma. All while hundreds of people watched.