toddler harnesses...
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: Toddler Times
Forum Description: Is bubs growing up and getting into everything? How do you train them to use the potty? When do you start feeding solids? Share your tips and advice here!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28410
Printed Date: 27 July 2025 at 1:06pm
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Topic: toddler harnesses...
Posted By: gypsynita
Subject: toddler harnesses...
Date Posted: 28 August 2009 at 5:03pm
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okay, so I've always hated the thought of having a kid on a leash, but we're off to the states in three weeks and after taking cian into town (big ol' whakatane) i'm more than a little worried how we're going to manage in san francisco!! he won't sit in his stroller for long cause he loves being up and walking, but often refuses to hold my hand too...
has anyone used a harness and got any comments, or any other ideas what we can do? ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 28 August 2009 at 5:12pm
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I'm the same - used to be so anti them, but I'm getting JJ one of http://www.kiwibaby.co.nz/afawcs0122065/SUBID=8/ID=592/SID=139503299/productdetails.html - these - the kids don't feel like they're leashed, cos they're just wearing a backpack like mummy and daddy, and you can get all sorts of cute animals. Would be really handy for travelling I reckon.
The other option is to wear him...? That way you're controlling where he goes but he still feels like he's part of the action? JJ is loving spending time hanging out on my back in his Manduca these days, even though he's usually a busy little guy off exploring when he can. ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 28 August 2009 at 7:41pm
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We went to the USA for three weeks when Caleb was 23 months and I borrowed one off a friend and it was invaluable. He was happy to wear it, everyone made a fuss over him because he looked so cute which I think helped. It was essential at Grand Canyon and a few other places where there were big drops (if you can call Grand Canyon a big drop). We felt secure with him wearing it at Disneyland etc where it was crowded and it was easy to keep tabs on him when we went shopping.
San Francisco was pretty busy, especially around Fisherman's Wharf etc and you'll want a harness if you're doing a harbour trip or going to Alcatraz. Also there are a few more 'interesting people' in the bigger cities than you'll find in small town USA which we found a bit unsettling. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 28 August 2009 at 8:09pm
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We used one with Leah when she was about the same age....only we didn't venture that far away!!!! She was always very good wearing it and I would rather her being safe than worring about the fact its a harness. Have a great trip. -------------  
 
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Posted By: X
Date Posted: 29 August 2009 at 10:34am
| I use one all the time with Kingston & he loves it. He hates being confined to a stroller & it allows him to walk around like a big boy. He has one of the monkey back pack ones & it's really cute. I had an elderly woman in a shopping centre comment once-she said "well that's not very PC is it?" & so I said "well it's better than him running off & being squashed by a car" & she said "oh yes, I suppose that's true". I don't think there's anything wrong with leashes-they keep your little one safe. If other people don't like it, that's their problem not mine. I highly recommend them. |
Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 29 August 2009 at 3:33pm
yay  thanks for making me feel better about getting one!! I've been checking out the animal backpack style ones and even DH has admitted that they're not as bad as he thought they would be!
I did think about wearing him but I'm not sure how long I could maintain that for (he's getting pretty heavy!) and these days he's squirming to get in a matter of minutes anyway... ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 29 August 2009 at 6:30pm
I'm currently looking at getting them too. With twins I think its a staple lol. Now that they're walking they are off in different directions leaving me to panic  I have a friend with twins the same age as mine and she has the straps that just Velcro round the wrist but she said they're useless as her girls figured out (at 16 months) how to take them off in about 30 seconds. I haven't had a chance to shop around yet but have been told the ones the actually harness around the body are the best for staying on. I'm not fussed just as long as my Houdini's can't wriggle out of them I'm happy lol. I'll have to keep an eye on this for any ideas. I do like the idea of the backpack ones. -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 29 August 2009 at 7:34pm
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I have one for Spencer that just goes around his chest and then the strap comes of the back (not as cute as the back pack ones but the same sort of arrangement with putting it on etc).
Have only used it a handful of times but he doesn't mind it on and it gives him more freedom than having to hold me hand constantly, which gives me backache anyway cos he is such a little shorty. It was great when I had Kyle in the back pack and Spencer didn't want to be in the stroller. My friend who is pregnant with twins bought a back pack one for her 2 year old and it is very cute, he loves wearing it as well and puts it on himself! ------------- 
 
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Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 30 August 2009 at 9:38am
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yeah, i looked at the wrist strap ones cause i thought they'd be a little more discreet - but then i don't like the idea that you could unbalance them really easily... ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 30 August 2009 at 10:35am
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It will give you so much peace of mind in the airports and stuff where you are having to think about other things. who cares what other people think, they are gonna think something no matter what you do really. "oo look at that bad child running around", "oo look at that terrible parent with child on a leash" "oo look at that..." ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Phat_Cat
Date Posted: 30 August 2009 at 5:02pm
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I have a monkey backpack one for my toddler and have found it invaluable.Especially in places that I need to go but cant take a double pushchair and carrying a baby on my hip. I made it into a fun thing and i usually put something like the car keys in the backpack part so that he feels important. I got mine off trademe. I too have had many a comment or look from people but im of the same mind as previously mentioned, I at least know where my toddler is and is safe rather than running after him which is by no means an easy feat with a baby on hip :) ------------- Tristen - 24/06/07 Rylan - 11/12/08 Angel Babies -14/08/05 & 21/01/2010 Curtis - 26/02/12 |
Posted By: SarahP08
Date Posted: 31 August 2009 at 1:22pm
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I'm getting one, I used to think 'I'm never tying my baby up' oh how naive I was... and other people who have no clue look at you like you're evil (according to my friend who uses the wrist strap) but better that than squished child.
I've seen them in Baby city recently and they weren't that expensive (only I can't remember how much they were) Not needing one yet as K has only been walking a month and is still quite happy to hold my hand. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 31 August 2009 at 2:16pm
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We have the wrist velcro ones but I rarely use them as the girls are pretty good at holding my hand.
They are great value for money though (< $10). We are going to get the animal backpacks for them for Xmas so by the time it comes to our trip to Ireland at Easter they'll be well used to them 
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Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 31 August 2009 at 5:18pm
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I have a harness that goes over the body. Its the one my parents had for my brother (whos now 18!) and its brilliant. I don't care about the pc issue of putting them on a leash, its more of a priority for me to give Jake the freedom he needs balanced with the boundary of the rope. -------------   
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Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 31 August 2009 at 5:19pm
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Oh we've never had negative comments that I recall either though I would've have taken any notice -------------
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Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 31 August 2009 at 7:18pm
Trust me, when your toddler is having a screaming tantrum while waiting in line to get through US border security it won't be the backpack/reigns that people think you are a terrible parent for.  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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crafty1 wrote:Posted By: DJ
Date Posted: 31 August 2009 at 8:38pm
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Oh it's good to know about the ease of taking the wrist straps off.... DD's has started sprinting off out of shop doors lately and I've had to sprint after her. I'm trying some education, but think a harness might be needed once the new bub comes.
I asked a lady at the duck pond how old her daughter was a few weeks ago and she pretty much lept into an explanation of why she was wearing a harness! Clearly she must have felt a need to justify her decision - she had 2 mobile kids under 3 - that was reason enough! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: SarahP08
Date Posted: 02 September 2009 at 7:59pm
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I tried explaining to my DH why I wanted to get some reins and he said 'oh we'll just wait and see how he is' as if our son is going to be a miracle child who walks nicely next to me, holds my hand and doesn't run off when he sees something interesting. Mate you're dreamin'!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 03 September 2009 at 4:27pm
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lol sarahp08 - that's kinda what i thought back when i was a seriously naive woman with a baby that sat in one place!!!
took the plunge yesterday and bought one of the backpack style ones of trade me (although, it turns out it's the stork to chalk guy). it was more expensive but looks like it'll last longer and be a bit more practical as an actual bag than some of the other backpack ones iykwim. DH is happy - reckons now he's one it's about time he started carrying his own stuff around!!  ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: TysMummy
Date Posted: 06 September 2009 at 9:55am
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i got a back pack one its solf like a teddy he puts his toys in it and you can remove leash if needed ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 08 September 2009 at 9:26am
our backpack arrived on saturday  i put it on him without the leash bit attached so he could get a feel for it and he looked so damn cute!! didn't seem to bother him at all so we'll get in heaps of "practice" this week and then hopefully by the time we fly out it'll be all good
thanks for all the feedback... ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 08 September 2009 at 9:05pm
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The gremlins love their "monkey backpacks", they don't need them anymore really but they like chasing each other round the house holding each other's tails lol.
The only downside I found was that when they were younger and didn't really understand the concept, they'd just sit down on the ground if they didn't want to go somewhere. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 08 September 2009 at 9:31pm
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Just thought I'd add in here in case anyone else was thinking of getting one that today's newsletter from Kiwibaby has a code (020) to put in the comments section of their order process, so you can get these backpacks for $30 instead of $39 until this Friday... -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: 2boysmum
Date Posted: 07 October 2009 at 8:46am
| I got one of the wrist harnesses from Baby City for my wee boy and by the time I'd paid for it and stepped outside the store he'd worked out how to take it off ! Am definitely going to get a backpack now, especially as he doesn't like being in his stroller anymore. |
Posted By: 2boysmum
Date Posted: 07 October 2009 at 9:01am
| Can anyone recommend one of these over the other: Kiwi Baby harness or from Trade Me the "Happy Buddy" harness ..... they both seem very similar but price wise a difference of around $10 plus postage. |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 07 October 2009 at 11:17pm
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We are getting Caden one of these, he is SO fast and just runs for his life away from me!
We are getting the cute back pack ones. It will be so much easier when i do quick trips to the shops and stuff. Caden loves walking, he hates being in the pram. I dont see the harness' as mean or anything, I see it as being the same as a pram or highchair, they are strapped into those, except with the harness, they have the freedom to walk instead of sititng in the pram etc ------------- |
Posted By: Mama2two
Date Posted: 08 October 2009 at 7:39am
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We bought the trade me version originally and it wasn't great, ended up selling it and buying the 'Harness buddy' which is the same one they sell at Kiwibaby - only we got it from Kmart for $10 cheaper.
The TM version had no strap inside the tail so in essence you were just holding on to a flimsy piece of fabric. I had visions of Sam running away from me while I was left holding a Monkeys tail ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 09 October 2009 at 1:45pm
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Hiya we got back from our holiday a couple of days ago so thought I'd let you know how it went... backpack was fantastic!! we didn't use it heaps, but when we did it was so handy and didn't get any neg feedback at all, just lots of people telling us how cute it was.
When we were in less crowded areas (like at the park) we took the leash bit off and he just ran around with it on, with his fav stuffed toy inside so he knew he could get it out when he wanted to. Check it out: 
ETA: oops! sorry bout the big pics... took them from facebook so don't know how to resize ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 10 October 2009 at 8:25pm
Awww cute!!!
Ive decided to get Caden one of the Kiwi Baby ones, they look so cute!! I showed DH and he approves lol. ------------- |
Posted By: DouBleBuBBLe
Date Posted: 16 October 2009 at 7:15pm
I personally use 5 point harnesses on my twin boys as I take them to school everyday. My boys are 2.4yo and you wouldnt catch me outside the house with out them!!! There have been so many incidents where I almost lost their hands on a busy road from a sweaty hand after walking for so long. Having sworn by them, I must add that what I do to make myself feel safer aswell as to make it feel less like I'm walking puppies - I wrap it twice around my wrist and hold their hands. it looks nicer that you are holding the childs hand and it's extra security. I would def recommend it, esp in another country - it will be quite busy, busier than Whack-a-tane lol |