Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Are child reins a big faux pas?

142 replies

MerryMarigold · 26/01/2007 14:51

My friend's child is constantly running off and I always declared mine (who is now just walking) will be on reins as soon as he's running. But I never seem to see people using them. Why not?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
crayon · 30/01/2007 17:41

Homemama, that's horrible

wulfricsmummy · 30/01/2007 19:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

SilentTerror · 30/01/2007 20:42

I never realised they were out of fashion either and fully intend to use them once my 13 month old decides to walk! Had them 17 yrs ago for DD1, never remember any dog analogies then.Could do with a set for her now,perhaps tie her in her room?!! Ridiculous to put 'fashion' over safety.Agree re harnesses in high chairs and pushchairs.What is the difference?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting
PigeonPie · 30/01/2007 21:02

Well, my DS who is now 14 months has been wearing them when we go outside since he started walking about a month ago. I don't know if he's going to be a 'runner', but as he is likely to be able to run faster than I can even at 14 months, it's a 'no brainer' for me - it's reins or we don't go out for walks!

Also, I don't care what other people think. I've got friends who, I think, thought I was wrong/cruel for using them and getting DS into the habit of wearing them every time we went out (even if it was just to friends), but I think they're starting to realise now that it might just be helpful (Most of them have come round to my way of thinking on harnesses for the Tripp Trapp now too!).

mousiemousie · 30/01/2007 21:05

Only ever used them when dd went "fishing" ie trailing a stick in the river! Otherwise uneccessary IME

Jimjams2 · 30/01/2007 21:12

pmsl wulfric I know that feeling!

ILoveDolly · 30/01/2007 22:53

so glad consensus seems to swing in favour of reins - dd is not walking properly quite yet but already an adventurous crawler and is usually to be seem in distance looking back at me laughing as i run after her. i will definately be getting some form of reins (I love those mamtoto backpack ones) and have to confess playpen has been very useful lately, preventing all sorts of accidents and 'exploring'. i envy people that have partners etc who are around enough to watch the baby when they are cooking, out etc

Linnet · 30/01/2007 23:20

With dd1 I never needed to use reins, she would hold our hand all the time and never tried to run away.

Dd2 however is completely different. She will run away at the drop of a hat, we bought reins for her and we used them. We used them when we were in Florida when she was 16 months old and so many people came up to us and said what a good idea they were, in two weeks we only ever saw two other children with reins on.
We don't use them as much now as dd2 is slightly more obedient at holding our hand etc but I always have them with me just incase she gets out of hand. It's a safety issue for me I don't really care what other people say I'm happy that my dd is safe although we've never ever had or overheard any negative comments. Where I live we quite often see small children wearing reins.

Stiglet · 31/01/2007 11:13

We use a rucksack like this . . she loves wearing it and she can carry nappy / drink etc

SurvivingTheTerrbileTwos · 31/01/2007 11:28

DS now nearly 3 had reins from when he started to toddle at around 11 months bought for him by his godmother who couldn't resist them in the store. (Porper leather ones with the brass fastenings and studs on them - absolute crackers in baby blue.
He never had a problem with them and a few people commented on how such things were fashionable again. He now uses a wrist strap (which he calls his leash) when we are in the shopping centre but anyother time will nicely take my hand and 'hold tight' as he puts it!

flibbertyjibbet · 31/01/2007 13:54

I used reins and my son didn't mind them - I had DS2 last may when DS1 was only 16months. I didn't want to use a double buggy as he was a really good walker, so for short local trips (we are lucky live near shops, park etc all within 10 mins walk) baby was in the pram with DS1 wearing his little rucksack reins. He didn't notice he had them on. Once I couldn;t find them and tried a wrist strap and he went beserk. I think they don't notice reins but do notice and feel constrained by a wrist strap. DS2 was born by cesarean, can you imagine pushing a double buggy in a very hilly town after a csection so for a while I walked every where very slowly with DS2 in sling and DS1 on reins. As he was obviously so young toddling along on his reins all I ever got was nice comments and Awwwwws about how cute he was. It got him used to walking, and now he is 2 he is happy to walk quite long distances without reins but always holds on to the pram, he must have got used to not being able to move far away from me! I never stopped to consider what other people thought, I did what was best for me. Also I found for 16-20 months the reins helped him walk as when he got tired I could take his weight a bit, and also they stopped him falling so much.

mammamic · 01/02/2007 10:57

Our DD started walking quite early (11 months) and had no concept of danger or road etc so I had to use them - she liked them as we pretended she was my 'horsey' Once she got her head round the green x code and danger, they were used as a potential 'if you don't walk nicely then....'. If it can help, like any other tool, then go for it. DD is nearly 3 now and I can let her run and walk on her own as she knows how to behave near roads and when out and about - the reins definitely helped.

TeeCee · 01/02/2007 11:03

Oh God can someone do me a count and tell me if what the majority say, good or bad.

DD2 is 13 months and adores walking as much as she can but like most kids want to go in the opposite direction to me. Have a DD with SN's that can't walk much and am expecting. That back pack thing from GLTC or somewhere that has reins in it, I was thinking would that work but really don't like the idea of reins tbh but thought it might just turn out to be bloody useful.

There was a mum at Lottie's poreschool who had a son, 3 or 4 yrs old and she used a wrist strap thing with him walking down the country lane that was only used by school mums and had a field on either side. In fact she got out of a cab once and they were attached

Original poster
MerryMarigold · 01/02/2007 14:31

Teecee, what is your problem with reins? That's what I am trying to understand. Apart from the dog thing (really I don't see the connection - are restrained kids in carseats like patients in a straight jacket?!).

And getting out of a cab, I would assume was near on a road, so a good idea for her kid to be on the strap!

OP posts:
flibbertyjibbet · 01/02/2007 16:34

TeeCee a child as young as yours has no concept of danger and not much understanding of an instruction like 'stay next to mummy' so if you want her out and about walking I'd use reins. If, imo, you are so bothered about other people's opinions, that you would risk her safety, then keep her in a buggy.
Blimey if I worried about other peoples opinions every time I went out with my kids I would never leave the house! Or I'd send them out with dad all the time....

monkeymama · 01/02/2007 22:47

Reins are brilliant when you have monkey reins!!
Picked them up at a baby show. They have a little monkey backpack attached where we put his raisins and biscuit. I guess as I have a backpack on all the time, it makes him feel all grown up

thethirdwisemonkey · 02/02/2007 19:21

I've got some for ds and we used them occasionally when he was learning to walk, much better than him falling off a kerb and cutting his head open.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page