Harness for a Toddler

Before having DS I never thought I would even consider getting a harness for him (is that what they are called? You know the thing to stop them from running away!). I always thought they looked cruel - BUT - now I have a toddler who insists on walking everywhere and refuses to hold my hand (He even bit me twice on the hand yesterday in an attempt to get away from me, but I think that will require a whole other tread :().

Anyway - my questions really are - do you use a harness for your toddler? Does it work? And what type do you use?

I used one when Emily was first born as it was too difficult to carry a newborn and hold onto Nina. She didn't mind it at all, and I only had to use it for about 2 months.

My mum and dad use one for Izzy as they walk alot around near their house and parks and she's fast. They have one of the ones from Toys R Us that have a backpack with a cute teddy or puppy and then a material leash. It looks cute and doubles as a backpack.

I have the same one as Tans just described.

The monkey/horse/dog backpack variety are wildly popular and have meant that harnesses have made something of a comeback. The 'old style' ones are still used around the place but I think it's psychologically easier for parents to use the animal ones rather than the old style which (no matter how useful they are) still look like a leash. LOL

We have one, it's a dog. I'm still trying to train DD to walk holding my hand in public so the doggie is just my fallback position.

My niece uses one of the animal ones. As she says she would rather her daughter wear one of those than run on the road

I can't say I have ever really understood the resistance to harnesses. They are far more restricted strapped into a pram yet that is totally acceptable. Even for dogs, leads are not supposed to be used to pull your dog around, it is simply a safety device so they can't get too far from you into danger. I think they are great because they give some independence and some boundaries.

Thanks girls! I went down and brought a old style harness from the babyshop just to see how he went in it but I actually don't like the style of it once i put it on him, so will take it back and get the Animal backpack one. it just doesn't sit right and yes Marydean - it does look like a dog leash!! They had some really cute ones - monkey, frog, giraffe etc. My need to get one was reinforced today when he took off in the post office! I know what you mean about resistance to harnesses Krysalyss - i googled harnesses before to see what was around and there is some extremly vicious threads on other forums about them. I think I will prefer to put him in a harness and get some disapproving looks than have a little boy squashed flat by a car!

Mrscricket,

With my now 5yr old I had a harness for her as she kept running off, it was the older style as they didn't have the cute ones then. After she had been in it for 2-3 months she learnt to stay with mum and when she did go to run off i would tell her i would put the harness back on, this stopped her.

I would rather have a safe kid than and injured one thats for sure.

I just bought the monkey for my son and he LOVES it. We practised around the house first as he would fall over when he reached the end of the lead. He carries monkey on his lap on the way to the shops and then helps me put it on him.

If only everything was this easy with him!