Are reigns just for safety or are they also good for supporting a baby who is learning to walk?

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

I have seen a gadget called a walk-o-long on ebay which is like a padded strap which helps the baby to walk and saves your back (I have back probs) would reigns do the same thing? I'm clueless. Thanks!

Reins would, because they support the child's body rather than you trying to help them balance by holding on to their hand. When they are so little, you are basically raising their hand above head height which is uncomfortable for you both

Thanks marina. So, looking at that advert, do you think the walk-o-long sounds better, worse or the same as reigns?

even if the walk along is better IMO reain are perfectly adequate at help them balance and catching them when they fall

Reins are perfectly ok to help a child - sitting down and standing back up again are all part of learning to walk .

Oh, I always find I overbalance my DS if I ever try to do this with reins. I can catch him if he's falling though. I am very clumsy, though so perhaps it's just me.

The wlk-o-long is padded and, IMO, better at supporting the child's weight than reins. I used a walk-o-long when DS was still very unstead on his feet (still have it, if you're interested) but we now use reins, which guide him and keep him safe, but I don't feel are particularly good at supporting his weight when he does fall.

Yeah I'd be interested, itsahardknocklife, how much d'you want for it? Do you have paypal, if not I could send you a postal order?

Hiya, I have Paypal yes. Email me mushroomofjoyAThotmailDOTCOM and I shall let you know my Paypal and we can agree a price . We have progressed to just reins now. We've tried a wrist strap too, but we have put that away for now until he's a bit older.

hardknock, I've emailed you just now.