toddler harnesses...

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?

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.

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.

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.

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...

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 :)

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

Oh we've never had negative comments that I recall either though I would've have taken any notice

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!

Edited by DJ

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!!