What are your thoughts on baby reins?

[LordOfTheOnionRings]

Good or bad idea?

I have a one year old who has been walking for a few months - HATES being in his pram so like to walk as much as possible but he is still a bit shaky outdoors. He fell forward yesterday and face planted some gravel :( I am wondering if baby reins might help me stop him from falling and hurting himself. He also won't hold my hand anymore. I am not worried about him walking into roads as I am right there with him, just more the falling aspect.

Thanks

I used them with my youngest who was prone to running into the roads. She was also a clumsy Walker so the reins helped me to catch her before she fell too badly. Give it a go and see if it works for you.

My ds was walking from 9 months and hated the pram too (he's 2 and a half now)
I bought a pair of reins mainly as he's a bolter and we live on a busy road so walk to the supermarket along a 40mph road. He is also not keen on holding hands.
They are useful though for the falling thing, many a time I've stopped him going over.
The pair we have can stay on at places like the park and the strap comes off for climbing.

Thanks both! I am going to get some! @DeltaFlyer could I ask what brand they were?

They're boots ones, but i don't think they stock them anymore.
Just the simple body harness and strap ones. I didn't like the idea of the backpack ones as the ones I saw had one connector attaching parent to child but these have 2 clasps so if one failed I am still connected to at the other end

My DC both walked early and had reins and then backpacks. I'm all for making life easier and safer. I was very firm though that they also had to hold my hand when we were anywhere with traffic. Teaching them to be aware of cars is really important.

@MoiraNotRuby totally agree! What did you do for your babies to make them more road conscious? He has to hold my hand and stop and look before we cross a road. Not sure if there is more I can do? Any suggestions welcome!

I love them. DS is 23 months and it makes a walk much more pleasurable!

Yes they're great. I hold my child's hand too but they're a great extra security method.

My DD has been walking since 9 months. She always has reins on when walking near to roads or ponds/lakes/the sea - she is obsessed with water. The reins have saved many trips and falls - hardly ever had a grazed knee. She does hold my hand near roads but it's difficult to have your hand in the air for more than a few minutes at a time.

Brilliant! I had a runner. Dd1 is autistic so they were a sanity saver, she didn't want to be in the double buggy with her sister nor hold my hand (anyway she would give me the slip) do she hand reins I looped around my wrist and could push her doll.

they are essential for some kids. My dd had no road awareness as we drove everywhere so we used reins.

Theres a mumsnetter whose child died because her DH didnt put reins on as only a short walk and he thought they didnt need them and they ran into the road and were hit by a car. Heartbreaking.

Ps both mine walked at 9 months so they were pretty competent runners early, far more dangerous than a later walkers who is more sensible by then

I love them.
It gives a toddler some independence to explore but can be kept safe.
One of mine would one minute be happy jumping in puddles and without warning suddenly make a bolt. Fine when you are in a field,mot so great when you are near a busy road.
It is a safety tool to use until they have learned about danger without constant battles of holding hands unnecessary.

Wouldn't be without mine as DS is a bolter and gives no shits if I walk in the opposite direction to him 😂

Still use on two year old. Live on far, so tuck in when on fields but can grab in yard if tractor appears or she trips on stone track etc. Found them q god send in lockdown. Much much safer here.

Not used them for 2 year old DD. I do put a rucksack on her to make her a bit more grab-able sometimes but she's not that much of a runner I guess, too clingy for that.

My SN brother had reins for a long time though

Thanks everyone - weirdly I have had a lot of negative comments when I have said I am buying baby reins. A lot of people have said they're cruel and my son won't be road aware. IMO he is still mostly potato at a year old and won't understand that road = danger regardless.

you will get negative comments sadly. but reins are not cruel.

I got some for ds as he was a bolter. I got to the front door and out them on at the pavement. He made a dash then wrapped himself around a lamppost. I gave up (I never managed to do the ‘ok mummy’s going home now, byeeeeeeee’ thing when a child dawdles and a lee the their to chivvy them along - we used to joke that he had already read the manual).

A nanny at school said that she taught her small mindees to hold onto the pram handle when they were out if they wouldn’t take her hand. That worked.

Before I had my DS, I used to think they were horrible. Treating a child like a dog. BEFORE having D.C.

Well, once DS starting walking, didn’t like the pram and a few incidents, I soon changed my tune. They’re very useful and indeed very responsible piece of kit for some children.

Never needed them for my DD but they were very different children. You use them if you need them. Nothing wrong with them and ignore nay sayers.

@mogtheexcellent

they are essential for some kids. My dd had no road awareness as we drove everywhere so we used reins.

Theres a mumsnetter whose child died because her DH didnt put reins on as only a short walk and he thought they didnt need them and they ran into the road and were hit by a car. Heartbreaking.

Yes. I think it is MrsElvisPresley? I think of her every time I see this thread. She had twins and one ran in front of a car I think? Her husband was looking after them. I think it was about twenty years ago now.

Good idea. I am tall and it was difficult just holding my DDs hand when she was only small.

I've said a few times, my anxiety and DS's safety comes above all negative comments. I wouldn't be without ours

@barebetty That is so very sad. I couldn't imagine going through something like that. The thought of losing my little one is a real fear of mine.