Using a harness for toddlers?

Question

I bought a kid-friendly harness. It's a plush monkey that my almost-2 yr. old can wear and use as a backpack, but it stays put, and mom can keep a hold on him. I had always thought I would not use one, but I'm finding that trips to the store or even just getting out to the car can be close to impossible. What are your thoughts and have you used one before? Does it help?

Answer 1

I used one with my daughter (now 2 1/2) when we went on vacation over the summer. It was really great that she was able to walk around rather than be in the stroller everywhere we went, and I was able to keep her close in a crowded place. I don't use it for our everyday outings though, because I do want her to learn to stay close to me in public places. I will be using it again for vacation this summer too. There are some people who are against them and will stare like we are treating her like an animal. Other people look at us like it's cute. I figure that if she (or my son, who is now almost 11 months and may also do the harness this summer) ever remember anything about vacations when they are so young, it will be the fun activities we did, not the harness they were on.

Answer 2

i got the same thing for my daughter but its a pink poodle, and when I'm in the mall by myself and she wants to go out and walk she knows when shes out of the stroller it has to come on! and now shes fine with it but when I'm trying to push the stroller and she wants to go everywhere and even if i turn my head for a sec there off, so having the harness on her makes me feel so much safer and i can keep her in arms reach, cuz now a days you never know and i had one when i was young and a big gust of wind blew me off my feet (no joke) and if i didn't have it on i would have been under a car so I'm thankful for them, and now there very kid friendly and when there lil other if can be used as a backpack and can put a small toy or a drink or a snack in it, and i see everyone now a days using them so its not like having the feeling of walking a dog, i think there wonderful idea and I'm grateful i got one for my daughter.

Answer 3

I think they are a great idea. Why is it ok to use a harness to keep our pets safe, but not toddlers? I know how fast my 2 year old can disappear. He hates being restrained in a stroller and a harness lets him feel like he has some freedom without me being a nervous wreck.

Answer 4

I have to use one on my child and I never thought I would either. When it comes to saving her life I'll suck it up and strap her up. She got loose in a parking lot once and it scared me to death. I had to chase after her while she darted in and out of parking spaces and in the meantime I had to leave my infant just sitting in the car with the door open until I could catch her. She was 2 1/2 when that happened. I could hardly drive after that experience and went straight to Babies R Us and got a harness.



I will tell you that everyplace we went in it other children would make comments. They would say, "Mommy, why is that child on a leash?". Once again I didn't let it bother me but just be prepared - it will happen.



Anything for safety.

Answer 5

yes, they are wonderful! My daughter never needed one, but my nephew did! He would start to run behind cars, out into traffic & that was it! My sister got it, and people thought it was mean, but I opened up my mouth to their comments & said, " well, what is more cruel? A safety harness to keep him close, or a dead baby in the street?" They shut up after that one!

People are so judgemental! This day & age, with all those perverts running around, I would use it if I ever needed it!!!

Answer 6

My daughter had an elmo one. When she was too big for a stroller, but not old enough to be focused on walking with me, I used it. It was GREAT for walks outside (we live in an apt. complex with lots of traffic - it let her roam and explore, without me being worried of her getting sidetracked and roaming into the street), and it was a life saver for holiday time at the mall.



She's 4 now and we don't need it anymore as she walks with me and holds my hand and understands the dangers of wandering, but for those few months that thing was amazing.



I used to be totally against it too until I myself was the parent of a toddler. Saftey above all IMO!

Answer 7

Every child is different the parent should decide. I never needed one but then I have a loud voice that could stop a freight train. For that matter I can discipline an entire neighborhood after school by getting in my front yard and yelling, "What do you think you are doing!!"

Answer 8

I think they are a good idea, little ones can get away so quickly. There were no harnesses when my son was little. I remember a trip to Disney land when he was 3, I used a small nylon cat leash attached to his belt loop.

Answer 9

I've never personally used one, and probably won't.



They have always been quite popular in Euorpe. They are becoming popular here in the States.



Remember, you are the parent, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, you make the final decision.



Don't let family, friends, or even strangers make you feel you are 'abusing' your child, you aren't. You are putting his safety above the opinions of others. Good for you!

Answer 10

My son would roam and wander. We used one everywhere for his safety. It depends on the child if you need one, but use one if you need it. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about it. Better a safe child than a lost one. And they can and do get away in just a moment.

Answer 11

Hi when my sone was at that stage we used one. It helped alot. We went to the duck pond and fed the geese and I used one so he would not fall in. Or if he did I could get him out. I also took it and beefed it up. Took off the plastic parts and had metel ones put in. So have fun. Deitre

Answer 12

I know what you mean. People think that its mean and cruel. And it can be, if you use it the wrong way. But if your using it the way you are, to keep your child safe, b ecuase kids can get pretty far in the 10 seconds you take your eyes off of them, then i think its fine.



Ignore the other people/. If you doing it to keep your child safe, then more power to you.



Good Luckk!

Answer 13

I think they are great!!! I have not used one yet but I plan on getting one this summer (for like the fourt of july firework show and such) I am pregnant and will be HUGE by then...I can't run around to chase my little girl and I panic she will get lost. I don't see ANYTHING wrong with them! :) They are to keep your child safe after all!

Answer 14

My mother had one for my sister, who has sever ADHD, when she was younger, she only had to use it on her and not our brother or me but I think they are wonderful and my sister has no bad memories of them either. They kept her safe and at my moms side when she was too old for a stroller or a stroller was not an option.



I have one for my son for when he do not to be in stroller or for when we are in an area strollers are not suitable. We have the monkey one.

Answer 15

ok i bought one back in the day- i used to have one as a kid. my nearly 3 year old hated at first as he wanted to run off but it kept him safe. after a while he now just wants to hold my hand as he is not so exploratory and knows that he does want to be near me in public and not get lost. at the beginnign try it- no harm in it- it helps soooo much- they as they grow and can communicate and reason with you i've not put it on him.

Answer 16

I never used one for my older girls, but I am thinking about getting one for my 18 month old. I see nothing wrong with them. If I care enough about my dogs to put a leash on them for their safety.... I will surely use one for my child.

Answer 17

Ive never used one, but i plan to. I see nothing wrong with wanting to keep your child safe. Your doing it for their protection not to harm them. I think that we should all use them, that way there wont be so many child abductions. I don't know why any one would be against them.

Answer 18

i used that exact same harness on my son when he was youger, and it did help me alot. it gave him a sense of indepence thinking that he was allowed to walk a little ahead of me without having to clutch on to mommys hand, and gave me peace of mind that he could not run off. it help to teach him that it was okay to walk a little ahead of me as long as he stayed with in arms reach when he got older with out having clutch on to my hand everywhere we went. but be aware you may get dirty looks and comments from disapproving parents, i know i did one lady asked me if i thought my child was a dog, because i had him on a leash i kindly replied to the lady telling her no, but then asked her if i take the harness off of my child, and he wanders off will she be there to help me look for him?

Answer 19

I bought one that attaches to a wrist but never used it. I was too afraid of someone calling child protective services.

Answer 20

My son was a wanderer when he was little and I probably should have had one for him. I have friends that used them before and they help. If you are comfortable using one, go for it.

Answer 21

my mom had one for me when i was little, im 26 i till remember it. but no bad memories.theyre fine, wish id a had one for my son when he was younger

Answer 22

me and my brother had one when we were younger, its normal for parents to use them on toddlers as they like to wounder off and are curious =] and i think it did help our mum keep track of us lol

Answer 23

I'd really rather people didn't use them, but if that's the absolute only way you can keep him safe, I guess safety comes first.