toddler harnesses - yea or nay?

kj002f · November 2012

I can't decide how I feel about these. Our pediatrician (who has twins herself) strongly recommends them for safety. But, I won't lie, part of me doesn't want to deal with all the looks of disgust from others (bad reason, I know) and something about it does seem a little cruel. However, I have 17 month olds and going out of the house with them without my husband is getting scarier by the day. I like giving them the option to walk from time to time but I don't know how I'm going to do it by myself. What have you done or plan on doing?

masked_rose86 · November 2012

I totally plan on it if necessary. I would never forgive myself if one/both of the girls ran into danger and I couldn't stop them. Yes people will make comments. But honestly, I find everyone has an opinion on just about anything when it comes to kids/babies. I'm working on getting a thicker skin since comments/looks drive me crazy too!

kiwi443 · November 2012

I plan to use the stroller as long as possible. After that, I'd consider the harnesses.

CourtneySue · November 2012

I have no idea why these are judged so much! We don't use them...yet. But if we needed to for safety what is the big deal!?

Temp123197812503460 · November 2012

big yay from me. there is an age where you cant trust kids to be safe.

and i give a side eye to anyone who says they wont use them but will use a stroller instead. why is it better to strap a kid into a stroller than to let them walk on their own with a little harness?

i've already planned my reply if someone comments on them - "oh, what did you do with your toddler twins?"

(i suppose this wont work if they have twins, but then it can be a genuine question!)

LuvWIfootball · November 2012

While my singleton was a toddler, I do remember thinking how ridiculous I thought it was that a parent needed to have a "leash" on his/her kid. And this was based on just 1 child. I don't ever remember seeing multiples with harnesses. Now that we're expecting 3, if I can't keep them in the stroller, I'll definitely have them in harnesses if I'm out with them by myself. I'd rather know that all the boys are at my side then being stressed out the entire time making sure they still near me. My main goal though would be to teach them to hold hands and stay with me. If they master that, then harnesses wouldn't be necessary anymore.

Kadie331 · November 2012

BEFORE having kids I totally side-eyed people who used them. Now that I have kids, I feel totally different and we purchased one.

We took a trip overseas this summer and there was no way he was going to want to be contained in a stroller all the time and sometimes he runs and that is the last thing I wanted to happen in an airport/different country. We got funny looks from alot of people but I didn't care. My kid was safe and able to walk and explore more on his own.

keg · November 2012

We got them, but I seldom used them. DDs loved them, and wore them around the house all the time (occasionally still will...). However, when we were out and about, I just found with two, it was complicated and they were likely to take off in different directions so it just didn't work. They just wound up pulling too much on them that it was annoying. I had more luck just keeping them in the stroller or putting one on my back in an Ergo and walking with one or putting one in a stroller/shopping cart/etc.

Mrs. Alice · November 2012

I don't understand why people look down on them. When my nephew was that age I totally understood why parents would use them. It lets them have some freedom to walk around but keeps them from running off and getting into trouble. I bought a couple for my boys recently but I haven't used them yet. I don't care if I get dirty looks or whatever, they aren't the ones taking care of my kids!

violaplayer · November 2012

Mine started hating the stroller at 14ish months. (They walked around 10.5 months)

So we use leashes. It's better that than risking them being hit by a car.

macchiatto · November 2012

We bought them and I think there's nothing wrong with using them if you find them helpful. I remember someone saying she learned in a child psyc class that developmentally they're great because they give the child a sense of independence (more so than holding hands) while also keeping them safe.

That said, we only ended up using them twice. We used our double stroller most of the time until the boys were 2.5 and better about staying with us.

ETA: And ditto Keg. My boys loved them and thought they were fun to wear, but the stroller just worked better with us. We have one boy who was a runner and one with gross motor delays and sensory issues who would get pretty freaked out walking in a crowd anyway and they didn't mind the stroller.

jcath · November 2012

I think it's a safe option - two running toddlers is inviting an accident. Right now I still put one in a backpack and then carry or hold hands with the other but am definitely investigating the harness option

Kissimi21 · November 2012

I have one for DS. I find he has way more fun going out if he has the option to walk on his own, and I have more fun knowng he can't run on the road.

The only time someone gave me side-eye was kind of funny. This woman made a comment about babies on leashes, when her son (12 or 13 years old) said, "No mom, they are super helpful! Dylan's mom has one for his brother and says it saved his life." The mom looked shocked and I couldn't help but look a little smug.

KarlsSweetie05 · November 2012

I use them and yes, I get dirty looks and rude comments to my face, but my kids are safe and near me at all times. When I go out by myself with 2 - 19 month old twin toddlers - I have to have some form of control. If its not the stroller, then it has to be the harness.

I have 2 cute backpack harnesses from Eddie Bauer that are not as obvious as an actual body / chest harness.

https://www.target.com/p/eddie-bauer-backpack-harness-bee/-/A-14152782#prodSlot=medium_1_14&term=baby harness

my kids love to wear the backpacks around the house and will fill up the backpacks with toys.

also my kids hate being strapped down in the stroller for long periods of time and enjoy the freedom of walking around.

Trying to get both kids to hold my hands is fine for a leisurely walk around the block, but you can't have kids hold my hands and push a shopping cart at the same time.

I do have a hard time though with them going in different directions / walking at different paces. One stops, the other keeps going. Its hard to keep us all moving in the same direction at the same pace, but at least we are all together and one is not being hit by a car!

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