can you recommend me a good harness/reins and also give me advice on how to avoid grief from silly people while using it?

[muslimah28]

hello

ds is very active and i like letting him walk, but just need to keep him safe when he tries to run off. can anyone recommend a good brand?

i heard the sunshine kids is not so good, purely for the long length of the harness which youd think would be a good thing but i read some reviews of people getting grief for using it cos its too 'obvious'. these people recommended the backpack type, but i'm worried about whether they're strong enough/good enough quality- anything gimmicky like that starts to compromise on quality IME.

any advice?

also any tips on how to use it which may minimise risk of anyone telling me i'm treating my child like a dog. like i should care more about a dog than my child....

please dont post if you're fundamentally against harnesses/reins, i'm not looking for a debate, just some recommendations on products!

many thanks :)

[JarethTheGoblinKing]

We like the little life rucksack, found it much easier to get on DS than traditional reigns. He still uses the rucksack on its own now, to carry his things around :)

I've never had so much as a disapproving look when DS had then on so I wouldnt worry too much about that :)

[JarethTheGoblinKing]

Oh and its definitely strong enough :)

[claricestar]

we use traditional reins and have never had disapproving looks or comments! I have only heard the dog lead analogy on mumsnet.

[georgie22]

I'm going to watch your thread with interest as my 10 month old dd will be a nightmare once she starts walking outside. She'll just run I know; I don't give a monkey's uncle what anyone else thinks about me using reins as I just want her to be safe. Someone will be on to say you can just train them to hold your hand, yeh right!!

[ragged]

I thought the "dog lead" analogy was an American thing.
I am American.
Just grow yourself the Hide of a Rhinocerous and do what you need to, OP.
I use cheap ones from Argos, except that I forget to get them on DS and then get mini-heart attacks when DS nearly steps into the road. Don't go there.

[Peachy]

The Lindam toddler runner backpack sorted ds3 well; as he has SN it lasted until he was 5.

So plenty strong enough LOL

[Em3978]

We used a boots harness, but mostly as a backup for walking with hand-holding. I'd have his hand and the reins in my hand at the same time, if he let go to run off he didn't get far. Never got nasty comments or looks :)

[5inthebed]

Another vote for the little life backpack, it is fantastic.

[Honeydragon]

little life back pack is brill. had both my dc's tethered and never had a awful comment at all, even when I used a puppy lead on the back of ds's trousers during his (mercifully brief) bolting phase.

[ChunkyMonkeyMother]

I use both the wrist strap and a pair of reins - I have 2 pairs of reins; one set from Argos which are quite bright and have the little backpack which is great for a quick walk to the shops/to nanny + Gog-gogs but not for a day out as they are a hassle to take on anf off and are uncomfy in the buggy etc and I have a traditional set of leather reins which we use for things like the zoo etc which were actually a gift from my Mum who said that the ones she used for me and DB were a life saver (although she used hers for a Silver cross carriage so I think they had a different purpose back then)

I keep the wrist strap in my bag at all times and find myself using it for things like nipping out of the car to say one or two shops for little things at speed, so not enough time for buggy/reins

I have had one bad remark from some pushy mother who told her child to "Behave otherwise I'll put a dog lead on you like that little boy" which seriously pissed me off, especially since my DS was being a little angel at the time and her child was being a brat! I'd rather have my DS be abit annoyed at me than running off so let them say whatever they like!

[tiredgranny]

use boots ones on my grandsons only got rude remarks in usa & carribean do not care what other people think

[Ineedalife]

I used reigns for Dd1 and Dd3 as they were both runners.

I never heard anyone making negative comments.

Just do it for the safety of your child..

[GoodrickeCBlock]

Like Em3978, we use Lindam reins as a backup for walking when hand-holding or along a road or something. The reins also means I can take my eyes off my 2 year old to sort out something for my 1 year old without the older one legging it!

Been using reins for about ten months on probably a daily basis and have never had nasty comments or looks, not that I'm aware of anyway!

[DeWe]

I used the leather reins, I think you can get them from mothercare.
I never had a negative comment about them. Dd1 would ask to have them on. She loved the feel of being independent, without actually any risk of being separated from me. She still occasionally asked for them at 4yo when she was definitely too old for it.
Dd2 and ds thought it was a fun way to be carried and would just lift their feet up and dangle. Didn't work for them.

[Zimbah]

I used leather reins from as soon as she started walking, they were very useful not only for safety but meant I could save DD1 from a lot of falls onto hard pavement as well. Have used the backpack style with a slightly older DD1 (now nearly 3) for very busy places e.g. theme park type. She doesn't run off, but it would be very easy for her to get lost in the crowd with just a moment's inattention. Have never had any negative comments.

[Mbear]

We had reins to start with with ds, as he was too little for the back pack. He is 2 now, so onto the little life rucksack.

Never had any comments at all with him on the reins.

[UniS]

used reins ( mother care cheapest) when DS was a tot, then the little life backpack. never had a bad comment.

[harbingerofdoom]

Reins were marvellous for me,baby in pram/pushchair and toddler with reins. Never any adverse comments,I think most thought it was sensible. Not so much car use as now though so don't see them as much.

Reins were also very useful on uneven terrain (pavements,beach etc) and prevented loads of falls. Great to give to DH when they want a walk!

Just had sort of leather ones with a chest piece IIRC.

[mistressploppy]

We've got the LittleLife backpack for DS (23mo) but actually I prefer the bog standard crappy ones I got in an NCT sale for 50p - <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=baby+reigns+pooh&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1241&bih=565&tbm=isch&tbnid=XIXIG6jv15fq5M:&imgrefurl=www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DISNEY-Winnie-Pooh-BABY-REINS-Safety-Harness-G8T-/160630230913&docid=d5UrD9WxleEdyM&itg=1&w=300&h=225&ei=zGNuTrKXEYul-gbcq_iVAg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=386&page=1&tbnh=132&tbnw=169&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0&tx=89&ty=45" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">here

I didn't know they were considered chavvy/bad until I read it on here! Just seems sensible to me, especially when feeding the ducks

[notcitrus]

Little life backpack - doesn't look like old-fashioned reins so you don't get the tutting, and you can convince your child it's great as they can take toys in it.

Or in my ds's case, he hates it with a passion, so after a few times dragging him home wearing it, he understands "hold hands nicely or you have to wear the backpack"... so mission accomplished at least!

Poundland ones didn't work at all.

[EggyAllenPoe]

standard mothercare ones.

smile, nod, do your own thing :)

[Iggly]

Cheap reins from mothercare are better. We have a backpack too but I find it slips off however I adjust it. However as DS gets older and more sensible, the backpack is great as can let him have a bit more freedom.

Who cares about the comments? I'd give them the raised eyebrow. Not had any myself.

[SybilBeddows]

mine are just Mothercare I think. The big advantage over a backpack (which we also have) is that you can pick them up in them if they fall over (grandparents appreciate this as it means they don't have to bend down), or quickly hoick them out of trouble.

If you get dog comments you just have to laugh and turn to your child and say 'Come along Fido! Walkies!'

[Meglet]

I used the little life rucksack until DS was 4.6 if we were somewhere busy. DD is 3 and still has to wear it if we're in town. She's a bloody terror though and will run off all the time.

I've never had a negative comment.

And I used to say 'Walkies' when they were both on their reins . They loved it!

[sydneysuze]

We have the sunshine kids ones for travelling and to keep in the nappy bag, but DD also loves her little monkey backpack with a tail. It's a bit longer than the reins on the sunshine kids one so she's more independent.

To be honest she loves them, likes being able to walk more independently. We still hold hands near roads, crossing etc.

Try and ignore any strangers who comment as this is your child, your choice how you teach them road safety etc. But if you get any negative friend/family comments I've usually explained how I think for a long period of time it's not so healthy for either DD's or my back to be holding hands (imagine walking along for 10 or 15 minutes with your arm in the air). I'm tall too so have to stoop to hold her hand.

Love the reins myself and will be keeping her and DS when he starts walking in them until they're in their teens if I have my way ...!