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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Reins - hate them but think might need them

48 replies

Hohumchops · 09/03/2010 09:16

My 13mth old is a competent walker and runner already (save for the occasional trip over) and is a right busy-body. He loves running about and walking on his own (not holding a hand) to the shop down the road. I know that reins seem the sensible option, but I don't see any kids with them any more - why is that? Any suggestions? Someone tell me it's my only option and tips on using them. Why am I so reluctant? How come no one else's kids need them?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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mogbonlahor · 09/03/2010 11:34

The other fab thing about reins is that if you are out and there's no highchair you can use them to attach the small one to a normal chair to save falling off/jumping down unexpectedly (depending on age). Much smaller to carry than booster seat too. Def approve now though was also snooty about reins before I tried them.

Runningwithscissors · 09/03/2010 11:40

DD (2) gets lots of compliments on little life ruck sack - and she loves it! Also useful for pulling her along on her scooter.

crankytwanky · 09/03/2010 11:41

I would have used them for DS as he has absolutely no fear when out, and will wonder off in a heartbeat.
I couldn't find them however, and was too stingy to buy more.

Rockbird · 09/03/2010 11:48

I see loads of children with them now, including DD who has the Littelife Ladybird backpack and loves it. Snobbery about reins is just too stupid for words. Do you also not strap your dc into the buggy? Thankfully people seem to be getting a little more sensible about them.

Rockbird · 09/03/2010 12:05

Just to add, DD is 26 months tomorrow and I wouldn't dream of taking her out without a buggy or reins. I don't know where 1-2 years only comes in

MrsBadger · 09/03/2010 12:56

it is a short period though Rockbird - I would have posted the same as you at 26m... but dd is now 30m and is fine holding hands for crossing roads etc and walking sensibly the rest of the tiem.

Megletwantsittobesummer · 09/03/2010 13:02

I love reins. DS is 3.4 and he still has to wear them if he's not in the puschair. I don't worry if we're in a quiet area or park but as soon as we're anywhere near a road I keep a hold of his hands and the reins.

Both my dc's have the backpack reins.

Twinkster · 09/03/2010 13:20

LOL Rockbird. I used to think DS would be going to university on reins.

Neolara is spot on about bolters. I had DS's old reins ready for DD, and never used them once. From the minute she could walk, she walked nicely and held my hand. If both of mine had been like DD, I'd still be snobby about reins.

Original poster

Hohumchops · 09/03/2010 13:26

Am proud to have a bolter - you have convinced me - I should be proud of my early mobile and curious DS and let him not be as constrained as he would be in a pushchair.

I shall be strong when others with calm children give me that pitying look

OP posts:

Rockbird · 09/03/2010 13:33

LOL, please please give me hope! I can't imagine just taking her out with me, walking along the road holding hands, no buggy, no reins...

Wail!!! She's my baby!

burtie2u · 09/03/2010 15:55

I bought some reins for my DS 16m when we went on holiday, I had loads of comments from other parents saying "god I wish I had thought of getting some of them"
I love the reins and so does DS, he doesn't want to hold hands anymore, so it gives him the freedom he wants and me the security I need. Used them on the park yesterday and got a few looks, I loved it, I'm all for old school.
I don't like the wrist straps though, don't look as comfy ;-)
"REINS ROCK"

EggyAllenPoe · 09/03/2010 17:53

well, a wrist strap won't stop them falling over ...(and will jolt their wrist)

i think its becausewhen they'r that small that reins are useful you don't get very far with a walking tot - 100 yards to the park and back was about the limit...

though i still managed to get a snotty remark in that distance! (bloody annoying there's me with baby in backpack, dog on lead, and she thinks i don't need reins on my toddler?)

GrimmaTheNome · 09/03/2010 18:03

I don't remember any snotty looks or comments when I used reins with DD (this is in the NW, just to prove they are not just for effete southerners)

It really is bizarre that anyone would think that it was curtailing the child's freedom (can't think what other possible objection there would be) but no-one would ever seems think it weird to strap a child of the same age into a buggy.

GrimmaTheNome · 09/03/2010 18:07

Wrist straps are probably good for somewhat older toddlers who are stable but might bolt. I saw a couple of nursery nurses at a playground recently with half a dozen or so small children, each with a wrist strap - I said to them it was a really good idea, in case they thought I was giving them a 'look'. It would have been daft to take that number out without them, lovely that they were able to get to the playground safely instead of having to stay indoors.

ArthurPewty · 09/03/2010 18:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Twinkster · 09/03/2010 19:29

Rockbird, DS is seven now and is no longer on reins. He walks three miles to school and back, and trots along safely by my side.

It will happen eventually! DS was finally rein-free when he started school (at nearly five...), but even then he wasn't utterly reliable and I had to insist on hand-holding if he showed any signs of bolting...

3littlefrogs · 09/03/2010 19:34

IMO toddlers who walk on reins get more exercise, don't get their arms yanked out of their sockets every 5 minutes, eat better and sleep better, and are at far less risk of getting run over.

notquitenormal · 09/03/2010 19:56

We use reigns with our just 2 yr old and they're great. My Mum got us a pair of old fashoned leather ones shortly after he started walking. Thrust them at me with a, 'here, you'll need these!'

He gets to walk a bit and have a good look around, but I can stop him running off after any random cat that he spots.

Much like my Mum's dog really.

He walked around a packed car boot on Sunday, the esscence of cute marching along in his monster wellies, and that wouldn't have been possible without the reigns.

zapostrophe · 09/03/2010 20:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bibbitybobbityhat · 09/03/2010 20:05

It wasn't until I logged on to Mumsnet that I had any idea people could be so anti reins. Ditto c-sections, actually, never seen so many raised eyebrows over my elective c-section as I did on this so-called supportive parenting site .

Anyway,

I had reins for both my dc, for a short period. They did the job - made my life a lot less stressful!

EggyAllenPoe · 09/03/2010 20:09

ah bibbetry, my MIL believes they are typical of my controlling and uncaring parenting style (and has pretty much said this to my face)

and when DD wore them she kept on going on about (when off reins) 'going too fast for herself (WTF? - if it was too fast, she wouldn't be able to do it..) and indeed, while on reins making remarks about her being similar to the dog.

this i smiled away, the dog is a fairly high-stats creature and comparisons to her are IMO flattering.

CokeFan · 09/03/2010 20:17

We've got reins for DD - started putting them on her as soon as she was walking outdoors at about 13 months and now she holds her hands out for them as soon as she gets out of the car or house. She's quite short and I'm quite tall so hand holding is back breaking for me and uncomfortable for her (ok, she just shakes my hand off hers after a few seconds anyway).

I also find that reins smooths out the stop/start nature of her walking (ooo a cat, look a leaf, what's that up ahead?)

PureAsTheColdDrivenSnow · 09/03/2010 20:22

Nothing wrong with reins
(apart from the fact that DS will NOT tolerate them)

Littlelife rucksacks

less like reins, more like a dog lead.

I did the 'hold my hand or you'll go in the pushchair' and it did work - you just have to repeat it about a million times and follow through. Just have to say 'hold' to DS now and he does, most of the time.

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