Which reins?

[christmasrobin]

I'm wondering what the best reins are to use for a late walker? Ds is 18 months and starting to walk holding our hands, but I'm thinking of trying him with some reins so that he learns to balance himself.
I've had a brief look around and I think the traditional loop type ones seem better for younger ones than the "leash" style. I nearly ordered a trunki one, but I thought I'd see first if anyone has any other suggestions?

Also, how will reins work in this cold weather? Will they sit nicely over a big coat or if he falls will he just slip right out of them?
Many thanks

I just use basic redkite ones that you can get for about a fiver from supermarkets. My son is older, he's 2, but he loves putting them on and puts his arms out then puts the handle bit over his head for us.

You can adjust them in several places so should be able to get a snug fit, we've not had a problem with them slipping.

Oh great, thank you! I'll have a look at some of the cheaper ones then rather than spending a small fortune

I used the littlelife backpacks from that age with dots they were great. Plus I could stash some wipes and a couple of nappies in them and leave the huge bait bag at home.

God my spelling! Dts. Nappy bag.

I found both kinds useful with my two kids. The older one was pretty laid back so we always happily used the back pack style. My youngest pulls on the reins like bloodhound so the traditional style are better as the way they fit and the bit you hold are better under force.

Have been wondering the same! Was trying to work out if reins would be supportive enough or if I'd need something more harness-y like this www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0744GZZ2P/ref=asc_df_B0744GZZ2P57420647/?hvlocphy=9072508&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&hvnetw=g&hvadid=218097479641&creative=22146&hvpone&hvlocint&creativeASIN=B0744GZZ2P&hvpos=1o2&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforum-21&hvtargid=pla-421570866629&hvrand=18065681732770729792

DS had cute ones with a koala bear on the back part. I think it was made from a company called goldbug. They do all sorts of cute designs for both girls and boys. Backpack reins are pretty cool too

DS needed reins until four (mild sen) but DD hasn’t needed them at all. Every child is different!

There are some quite good ones made by the Trunki people. However just a word of caution, I bought some to see if it would help DS balance on his own at that stage and they didn’t help at all, despite him being very keen (and he has amazing balance now). My conclusion was that reins are actually better for keeping them under control after they can walk independently, rather than helping them balance. No harm in trying though.

Actually if you want my trunki ones I’ll happily sell them to you! Let me PM you a picture.

Pic as I couldn’t add pic to my PM. They are really cute and seem nice and sturdy.

Sorry for jumping on this one! DS (18 mo) currently undoes the velco on his basic reigns and wriggles himself out. Anyone else have this issue? Are there other reigns which aren't Velcro people would recommend? (Or am I tying him up wrong in them?)

We use Little Life reins like these ones with our 2 yr old.

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/d9678.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAgMPgBRDDARIsAOh3uyKW6SUPsTUPFiK3nfyKJvA8GBMwTBQjjRer4i9KPd_UL7rX054fFfEaAovDEALw_wcB

We tried the backpack style with DC1, but he pulled on his reins a lot, which worked less well with the backpack style than the standard reins type.

Although I’d second the point a pp made about reins not helping children balance. They’re great for children who can (more or less) toddle independently, but not really an effective tool for helping them learn to walk.

@TinselBee the Little Life reins I’ve just linked to have no velcro, they have plastic clips which fasten at the back.

Used them with 3 DC and none of them have managed to undo the reins themselves, except on the odd occasion when the reins haven’t been fastened properly by the adult putting the reins on them.

Thank you Hope I'll take a look!!

@TinselBee I have basic boots reins and they don't have any Velcro on. Just plastic clips