Baby reins

[Shoemum]

AIBU for going back to using reins on my very boisterous 3.5yo, she refuses to hold hands yet bolts away without warning?

Mums who do use reins what style do you use, the wrist strap, backpack or a traditional harness?

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MNHQ

I used the tradition harness but DD was much younger. I suspect the average 3.5 yr old could remove the wrist and back pack ones by themselves should they wish to.

Used back packs with my twins in busy places til about 4!!! Sometimes it was the only way to keep them safe and stop them going in opposite directions!

I used the backpack one (so she could also carry her own gubbins), with my 2 year old. But by nearing 3 she could figure out the belly strap and unclip it if she wanted to... but it was at least a heads up for me to see she was about to run.

Harness ones seem much sturdier (and I've seen some impressive dangling going on, which may be handy for carrying them along in a strop! The backpack was not strong enough for me to suspend her mid air...)

Strong ones. With a harness.

Harness with clip on the back. Do it. If it keeps him safe yanbu.

Her*

YANBU. I think the people who think they are cruel are ridiculous. It's more cruel to put a child in danger imo.

Harness ones without a doubt.
Who cares about if you should/shouldn’t, kids that bolt can be dangerous to themselves but also to others

Harness definitely, as tallgreenbottle says have the clip on the back. If she's a bolter strong reins are essential to keep her safe.

We use a harness one. It has a fairly long strap so I actually think it gives more freedom to the child rather than having to stay close to their parent.

Whatever you use,just use it if they're a bolter.

I am completely, absolutely opposed to reins. They make children look like dogs, etc.

Yet my DC1 was on them (20 yrs ago, so traditional style) until he was about 5 . I used to say he would be going to university on reins. Only parents with a bolter would understand this. My others weren't bolters. DC1 was still on reins when they were walking naicely by the buggy...

Another vote for harness type. My DD1 once threw herself onto the floor in the shopping centre when I was wearing one if the wrist strap types and it nearly pulled her hand off. Her little wrist was all bruised. They went in the bin sharpish. She was only 2.

Yanbu, when I was younger (14-16ish) I thought they were very demeaning and that I'd never use them.

Im far older now and still dont have kids, but I'll use them when/if I do for certain. It just seems so much more convenient. Anyone who judges you probably hasn't spent much time around young children and therefore doesnt have a worthwhile opinion on how to care for them.

www.amazon.co.uk/Trunki-ToddlePak-Toddler-Walking-Harness/dp/B00PGHHJ1K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?s=gateway&keywords=fox+reins&sprefix=fox+rein&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1562703995&sr=8-1

I’ve used these with both of mine.

I use harness ones. My dc is only 2. I did have one of those back pack ones but it was too bulky and he didn’t like it.

It looks like the harness ones are the most popular, the one I use now is the harness but it's not very good quality so I think it might be time to buy a better one.

Can anyone share a link to the style they use? There seems to be a lot for sale but I'm not sure which are best for a very active 3.5 yo

How old were yours when you stopped using them?

Munchkin ones but she was under two. They had plenty of adjustable bits, fastened at the back and fold up small for shoving in a bag.

Ours were the equivalent of this, OP. Makes me feel old now!

Redkite harness from Asda for £5.

Traditional ones with my twins up till they were four as safer with two. Singleton till 3. Traditional ones I found were harder for twins to remove themselves.

These are the ones we still use occasionally on our 4,5 yr old. We've had them for a couple of years. He's a Houdini and these are about the only restraints he hasn't been able to open
www.johnlewis.com/littlelife-safety-harness/p231588257

I got mine from Boots for under a fiver, harness style. We use it for DS 20mo. My SiL doesn't agree with them but I had reins as a child and can't say it's traumatised me, plus I have too many memories of chasing my niece through busy public spaces when she was my son's age as she really took to "exploring her freedom" (aka seeking every hazard known to man and bolting towards it!!)

I'm 50, and I have a younger DB, we both wore harnesses as children. My own DC are 19 and 15, they both wore harnesses when younger. One of mine was a bolter, is fine now, and I think I recall DM saying DB was a bolter.

Harnesses save lives, if anyone ever doubts this, just advance search for MrsPresley's posts. So tragic.

Of course use reins but stay away from the wrist ones. Dont know how theyre still legal! My mum got one for DS for her house without my knowledge! Cue her ringing while I was working to tell me he’s in A&E his elbow had dislocated and his wrist badly sprained. She didnt tell me she’d got it for him on purpose because she knew I would object. Last time we ever saw her let me tell you