WDYT - Backpack Harness

I'm sure i've seen a thread before but for the life of me can't find it but i was wondering what everyone thinks of the backpack harnesses for kids?

Personally i always thought i would NEVER put a leash on my kids, more the ones that were JUST a harness and nothing else.

BUT recently i've been thinking about them more and more for outings with both girls.
We have the double pram and both girls are generally happy sitting in the pram but when we go to places like the Zoo or the Healsville meet DD1 wants to get up and run around.

Now we're going to the Zoo Meet in Sept and i was thinking as it's just me (well and all other mumma's) that it might be easier to have the backpack as an option, and slip the handle on the pram if she wants to walk.

I really don't want one of the fluffy animal ones but i have seen ones that look like a 'normal' backpack, she could put her drink and some snacks in there and i would have piece of mind that she's ok.

The problem: DP does not want our daughter 'wearing a leash' :wall:

So what does everyone else think of them?

Can of worms ZF... Can of worms! Be prepared for a whole raft of responses...

I have one for DD. I hated the idea of it but my fearless DD runs. And I was too terrified to not have one. I just wanted to keep her safe.

But I haven't used it in ages. She's old enough now to understand a bit better.

The only problem I found with using them at places like the zoo is if they dart off into the crowd, it becomes a bit useless really as you have to drop it and give chase through all the people!

WARNING: This is open to OPINIONS ONLY, please DO NOT comment on another persons opinion without thinking first, there are other HUMANS on the other side of the screen and whilst i understand not everyone is going to agree i DO NOT want people picking on, belittling or bullying anyone else for their OPINION.

I see both sides of the story, i never wanted a LEASH for my child either but SAFETY COMES FIRST and this might be what i need.

OP - You've seen A first hand now, she's fearless and while she's never really been a 'bolter' i want to give her a little freedom with the option to walk around without me having to worry too much about her, i can hook it onto the pram or hold it.
I was thinking of just the plain backpack for her as then it's a little more 'practical' as she grows as opposed to having a cow or monkey stuck to her back :)

I agree with your DP. ;) It must be tricky with two, but they do learn not to run off in the majority of cases. I'd try teaching her that first before the meet and see how you go. Start small, somewhere where you can keep an eye on her and spend the time reinforcing your message.

This is from a mother whose DD would not sit in the pram from 12 mths as she wanted to walk. :wall: waaaay before she understood how to control the power of freedom! LOL

I think that they are a good idea. I will be using one for my ds. Do they sell plian ones?

I don't really like the idea either, but i recently bought one! I get the impression that my LO is going to be a runner. She looks all innocent, but watches out for doors to be open and then Wham- she is off! For now, i can get to her before she goes too far, but when my Mum is looking after her OR she gets faster (or i get slower) i have to go for safety rather than looks. I haven't used the backpack yet, except around the house for DD to get used to it, but have it there.

I'd never get one for my kids - haven't needed one so far even if I take them all out, so I doubt that will change :)

I have one. The animal backpack kind.
Because I only have the one LO, I use it- slip the loop over my wrist, and hold her hand at the same time.
I'm not leading her around like a dog, but I have it for extra safety.
However, if DD wanted to go one way- and I wanted to go the other way, she would just sit down on the floor anyway- harness or no harness.

I bought them but never used them! I think is really is a safety thing more than anything else.

Jennifer13 - thanks hun, it's not that she bolts and she's ok at listening when we do walk somewhere but it's more for my peace of mind, she's going through her 'won't listen to anyone' stage and I don't want to be ditching DD2 to chase DD1.

I've never wanted 1 before and personally always thought if you can't control your kid don't go out :redface: but I know as a parent kids change our minds all the time :) it's also wring if me to judge that way.

I'm still in 2 minds :(


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I personally don't like them but I only have one :D My SIL got one for her little DD and it is sooo cute, her DD loves to wear and calls it her pretties :D I will see if I can get a photo for you and put it on facebook.

It is sooo cute that if DS was younger and there was a boy equivalent I would consider one for him.

I don't see the problem with them. If you're teaching your LO about safety & not running off etc what's the harm in using one in the meantime. My sister had one for her LO for a cruise they went on.

I don't love them but my DS1 is a runner. He thinks it's funny to bolt away. Now that I'm managing him and DS2 I think I will buy one. Whilst they are not ideal I'd rather him wear one than be squashed by a car.




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I'm all for them. My mum had one for both me and my brother when we were going thru our 'explore everything' stages and i cannot express enough how they literally saved our lives more than once. Yes she had rude people approch her and ask if her "children do tricks aswell" but let's face it, we've all seen a toddler go running past us in the shops with mum 10 paces behind. It would take half a second for someone to grab that child and disappear before mum caught up, and then there's the danger of roads ect... I think they give the kid some freedom to walk on their own while halving the risks, I will definitely be using one when DD finds her feet.

With a lead and harness your child has far more freedom than if they are in the pram. Dogs are on leads so they can have a walk and explore while still being within safety range. This is the same thing. For me it is about giving them some independence and not about controlling them. They can walk around but can't go too far. They are happy, you are happy. If you were going to put a collar on her on the other hand……… ;)

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I'm all for them. My mum had one for both me and my brother when we were going thru our 'explore everything' stages and i cannot express enough how they literally saved our lives more than once. Yes she had rude people approch her and ask if her "children do tricks aswell" but let's face it, we've all seen a toddler go running past us in the shops with mum 10 paces behind. It would take half a second for someone to grab that child and disappear before mum caught up, and then there's the danger of roads ect... I think they give the kid some freedom to walk on their own while halving the risks, I will definitely be using one when DD finds her feet.

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I absolutely agree :)

I'm another one who is in 2 minds about them. The thought of having my child "on a leash" disgusts me to be honest, but if I had a runner, I would consider it. I would hope for me it would be a last resort alternative and with one child I probably wouldn't see the need, however I totally get that with 2, if your chasing one, who's watching the other. So I think if you are comfortable with it then do it. It is better than a child being put in danger..

DD is a runner so we have one. She likes to run when you have things in your hand and it makes it harder for you to catch her. We are at the stage though that she wears it as a backpack and if she continues to run I will use the strap part to hold. She doesn't like that so will stay close by.

we have one and i love it DS hates being in the pram but has no idea about safety we also have a strap to conncet his hand to mine i just hold his hand its theres in case he decides to bolt but going to the zoo as ZF said with another in a pram its a little difficult so u need them to be safe

I never liked them until I had my own child who just lurves to run :D I will be getting one for him but I keep forgetting to actually buy it! For me it's about safety and that's all that matters.

Some very measured responses in here, nice. Not getting out of control... :grouphug:

Someone summed it up nicely, said something about harness vs road safety and in my mind I'd much rather be judged as a parent who "leashes" their child than be a parent who has lost their child due to a road accident. For some kids, my DD included, that's what it came down to. She would just run. Still does, but now she knows what she is doing and she knows how far she can push it. We haven't used the harness in a year or more.

Might be breaking it back out for DS though... :think:

Thanks everyone both for your responses to my question but also for keeping the conversations under control and not attacking anyone elses ideas.. i knew it could be done :)

I have one (two actually), they are great. DD1 wants to walk everywhere now and trying to hold her hand while pushing the pram is very hard. She loves it. It gives her the freedom to walk around away from mummy for a bit (arms length really) and I know she can't run away. She is more a sitter then a runner but I can't take that risk. I have the fluffy animal kind and they do have a small zip up pocket on them to store stuff. I don't think they are at all leash like.

I think they are great, we don't use them ourselves but my parents have a bear backpack one for DS - he isn't a runner, but can take off suddenly at times and my dad is getting on a bit and not as fast so they feel it is a great way to get out and make sure he stays safe.

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but can take off suddenly at times and my dad is getting on a bit and not as fast so they feel it is a great way to get out and make sure he stays safe.

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This is the other thing, DP's mum has the girls on and off and now we know carseats fit in his dads car i was thinking maybe they can start organising some 'outings' together, the girls are very well behaved for Nanna & Grandpa BUT with DD1 wanting to walk more and more i was thinking this might be a good option.
When we went to the market recently DP's dad get's a little pre-occupied and while DD1 is not running away he stops and forgets to check she's still with him.
Having the backpack would mean when he stops she realises. IYKWIM.

I'm another that didn't like them until DD did the dash a few times and I could start to appreciate why some would feel more secure having that option there - though they didn't have the cute little backpack ones when DD was small, more's the pity. I might've bought one then.

Ultimately safety comes first and for most, they're a temporary measure until kidlet learns to listen to mummy and to temper the impulsiveness enough to be trusted not to run off.

I have horribly behaved children who will run off at any opportunity so we own one thats got a workout. Or even worse, they all sit in the pram at some point. Id rather a leashed child than a child flattened by a car or stolen by a stranger.

That said, if I had perfect children (missed the boat there!) I wouldnt have one.

My mum bought me one after DD did the dash in Bunnings and I was 36 weeks pg with DS - I had trouble catching her. Mum's reasoning was that if she did a dash, I would have to leave the pram to give chase, and thats not an ideal situation. It proved useful for about 6months, as I often take the kids on my own to the city, so it was just a bit of reassurance. But I still taught her the "rules" as such for when we're out and about, and after about 6months, we stopped using it. Although, its still in the car, and quite often, she'll request to wear it if she spots it lol! We're off to Hong Kong next year, and I'll take it with us - even though she'll be almost 4, I'm just imagining how busy the streets will be so an extra precaution.

I have used them on both kids, but now only with DS (who is almost 2) and on rare occasions.. Depending on his mood/behavior. He normally holds my hand, but sometimes I just can't take the risk he will definately hold my hand..

However I hate hearing people call them leashes, after all a leash is an item used around the neck to control an animal.

My MIL bought one for DS (without asking of course) and uses it for him while they're out. I didn't like the idea of them until I was carrying him around the shops after forgetting his pram/stroller and he refused to walk around. It was something like that, that made me wish I had one, because he's so independent and just wants to walk everywhere if he knows your close by

we have one for DD - it lives in the car for when we go to markets and things where she wants to be walking with us, but we may have hands full of shopping etc so just don't have hte same reflexes if she darts off. she's never done it while out an about, but she does do it at home sometimes, so the fear is there. the local farmers market is in island in the middle of a major road - awesome central place - but also surrounded by traffic, so a worry! we used it when we went on holidays - she asked for her puppy dog and then held our hands. i dunno, i think maybe she felt more secure too - so if she did stop to look, she could feel us just as much as we could feel her

The harnesses have been an invaluable tool for both my boys at different stages. They love generally wearing them (we have a monkey one). It has been at particular ages when they have been bolters. We have used the harness as a tool to teach the boys not to run off, and as they have gotten older we haven't needed to use it anymore. One of my sons in particular was (sometimes still is) a big bolter. Nowdays he only has to wear it if he has run off and ignored the warnings to hold onto the pram, or if it is super busy. My thing is that I have always been pregnant and suffering from SPD, whilst having a toddler. This make running after them impossible, so I really didn't have much option then trying the harnesses. I am glad I did, they have (literally) been a lifesaver - the number of times my DS's have tried to run out into traffic whilst crossing the road or run off into a crowd. I would recommend them now to anyone who has more then one small child to watch (it is hard when they both decide to run in opersite directions - or when you have to leave one kid on their own with the pram to chase the other), or who has mobility issues (kids can be awful quick).

I loathed the idea of them before I had kids.

DD is going through a phase at the moment she wants to walk EVERYWHERE but WILL NOT hold my hand. I try to keep up with her and am ok for now but as I get bigger and my daughter gets faster I can only see disaster happening :lol:

Mind you if I say "STOP" which is a word I do not use often then 99% of the time she stops but she is also still young and I am waiting for the defiant run away from mummy act.

I would prefer her to hold my hand, but I know this will not always be what she wants to do.

I plan on getting her one to have JIC, I'd rather look like I am "walking a dog on a leash" than risk my childs life if she happens to run off, especially around the towns.

We have one for our DS who is another fearless runner. We called it his "buddy" rather harness or leash. I do hold his hand as well though, so it is a back up system in case he lets go of my hand and makes a dash for it. I found it a godsend when I was heavily pregnant as he could easily outmanouver me!

I do think it is important to teach children safety and listening etc, so that is why it is a back up. I will say "stop" and "hold mummy's hand" etc and try to teach road safety etc.

We have one, and we use it. Regularly.

We're pretty lucky that Sam is generally compliant enough to stay in the pram, but he's just about out-grown it. He likes to walk, but he doesn't always like to hold our hands (Mr Independant!). He doesn't often dash off, but I like it for the security of if he does try it. I'm not the most mobile person and pretty much require a walking stick to get around at the moment, so running after him just isn't possible.

Only problem we have... getting too heavy for the pram and too big for the harness and still not old enough and sensible enough to be trusted to walk along alone! We have a system that we can only use when it's the three of us. If Sam stops, I stop and stay with him while DH keeps walking ahead a little. I then just wait a little and ask Sam where daddy is, and he'll look up and run to catch up then. Doesn't work on solo trips, though!