[LittleYellow]

I have 13 month old twins who are walking. They are fine at the moment with one in the Ergo and one in a shopping cart or stroller when we go out... but I'm assuming it won't be long before they want to walk. I also feel like there are times where they should be able to walk, but because I have two I'm afraid to let them. Last week we went to a pond with ducks and I put them both in the double stroller so they could have the same view, but the whole time I was feeling like they were missing out, because if I had a singleton I would have had that baby walking in a heartbeat.

I know harnesses are contravercial and if I had one baby I wouldn't be thinking of it, but it seems to me that in this situation it would offer more freedom than the ergo/stroller would.

Does anyone have any suggestions for harnesses? Is there one that the harness can stay on the child and the tether hooked on when needed? Can a harness stay on while in the carseat?

Any other suggestions besides a harness for going out with toddler twins?

 

[DQMama]

These are very popular in England (where my dad's family is from) but I never see them here in the U.S. I think a lot of people think harnesses are for dogs and that's where the controversy comes in, but IMO they are like anything else (i.e. a "baby bucket") in that they can be overused or misused. If you are scared your kids will run away and jump into the water for example, then they are a safety device that are allowing your kids to have more freedom than a stroller will allow. I don't see what could be wrong with that.

I imagine they are not safe in a carseat.

Could you take turns holding one in the Ergo and letting one walk, or would the one being worn want to walk like the other? I don't have twins but I took care of a little girl ds' age when they were 9 to 15 months. I let them take turns walking and sitting in the double stroller. She was pretty patient but ds was not, LOL.

 

[LynnS6]

We had a harness that could stay on whle the tether could be attached. All the baby stores sell them.

I personally find them a fine solution just your kind of situation. We used them with our children while hiking and while in the airport (2 places where I just couldn't have them wandering off!). I have singletons, but found that about age 14-18 months was when we 'needed' them as they were walking, had a great desire to explore and no capacity to understand some of the dangers (like the water at a duck pond!)

I don't really understand why people are so against them. It's a device to keep your child safe in situations where they otherwise wouldn't be. Like all things, if you overuse it, it's going to be bad for them. But used in situations where the alternative is the stroller or not walking, what's better?

By the way, I tried again with our dd who is now 26 months, and she was fine with it, EXCEPT that she insisted on carrying the end of the tether too! But, that slowed her down enough so that I could keep her within arms reach, so in an odd way it worked!

 

[Fiestabeth]

With my first dd I scorned them (only dogs need leashes). With second dd I bought one out of desperation, and only use it occasionally. The child is so freakin' busy. She doesn't just walk she runs, and she thinks it's a game to get away from me. I mainly use it when shopping because she refuses to sit in the cart or to be held in sling or in arms. She wants DOWN. And I can't pick out groceries if I'm just chasing after her. Older sister will often hold the "leash" and I'll let them wander within eyesight. It has really helped. And I wish I were kidding, but sometimes she barks.

 

[2M's Mom]

We actually got a really cute one that is a puppy backpack (also comes in a monkey) and you can have the "leash" off or on. We haven't had to use it yet, but my daughter likes wearing the backpack! I wanted to have it on hand in case I am ever with both kids in an area where it is not safe for me to have them both wandering. I felt very much against them for the longest time, then I realized, I rather use a harness then end up with one of my kids hurt.

 

[treemom2]

I have a very spirited DD and found with her it was the perfect thing to have. DD didn't have to ride in a stroller, walk holding hands which she hated, and still had some freedom to walk ahead or behind me and touch things (she loves to touch things). There have been a lot of threads here on MDC regarding harnesses and from what I have read most of the moms think they were a good idea for their young ones. Now I have one for my DS but I rarely use it, he is less spirited and usually happy to walk holding a hand--however, if the situation changes I may use it with him as well. I think one problem with the harnesses is that some people may use them like they are walking a dog and drag the child. That shouldn't be done! I always use them to give my DC some freedom for exploration in an environment where they otherwise would not be able to explore.

With DD I used one called Mommy's Little Helper I think was made by safety first. I bought it at Babies R Us and the leash part did detach from the harness. With DS I found one that is decorated like a bumble bee and even has wings--it also has a detachable harness, but I bought it here in Japan (children in Japan no longer ride in strollers or slings after they are two--so these are pretty common here). I also have seen the backpack ones and if I ever need another one, I probably will get the backpack.

 

[Sagesgirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2M's Mom We actually got a really cute one that is a puppy backpack (also comes in a monkey) and you can have the "leash" off or on. We haven't had to use it yet, but my daughter likes wearing the backpack! I wanted to have it on hand in case I am ever with both kids in an area where it is not safe for me to have them both wandering. I felt very much against them for the longest time, then I realized, I rather use a harness then end up with one of my kids hurt.

We have the same style. One puppy, one monkey. Each of the older girls has one. They're much nicer-looking than the plain blue ones we had before. The girls love them, because it means they don't have to constantly hold my hands. They actually have more freedom in harnesses than they would without, because without they are not walking without me holding their hand, 9 times out of 10. (And only the older one gets to do it at all.) It definitely makes things easier when it comes to wrangling three kids at once, and the ones with the little animals on the back have a little zipper pocket to put stuff in, and the girls love that.

 

[rozzie'sma]

I too have the puppy back pack. I know some people think they are demeaning but my child is a runner, especially in parking lots. She loves it. You can't wear it in the carseat but it's not hard to take off and on. It's no different than any other kind of restraint, slings, strollers, etc. At least she can walk in this and it has made her very happy to do that

 

[Petersmamma]

I'm totally getting one SOON because ds is getting to where he doesn't want to be in the sling, then he gets SO mad at me when I won't let him wander (he always tries to leave the library by himself then throws a tantrum when I won't let him). I'm hoping the whole monkey/puppy thing will be cool to him and he will want to wear it. I suppose I better do it soon before he decides that it's not for him!

:

 

[Cardinal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiestabeth With my first dd I scorned them (only dogs need leashes). With second dd I bought one out of desperation, and only use it occasionally. The child is so freakin' busy. She doesn't just walk she runs, and she thinks it's a game to get away from me. I mainly use it when shopping because she refuses to sit in the cart or to be held in sling or in arms. She wants DOWN. And I can't pick out groceries if I'm just chasing after her. Older sister will often hold the "leash" and I'll let them wander within eyesight. It has really helped. And I wish I were kidding, but sometimes she barks.

That's pretty cute that she barks sometimes. Heck, I think that the "leashes" are useful for practical reasons. However, when I tried it on my DS when we were at the mall, he hated it. Additionally, he kept trying to grab the "leash" part and he'd end up tripping himself. So, it doesn't work for us and I don't use one. I know many people that swear by them.

 

[edswife]

I bought one just in case. I'm not going to strap my screaming child in the stroller but he also hates to hold hands (and does this going limp thing when you try and force the issue.) He's 19 months old and is still too young to understand what would happen if he didn't hold my hand. We used it once at a large trade show (30,000 people) for about 10 minutes. Then he decided riding in his wagon really was more fun then walking next to people who kept almost stepping on him. I don't think that if used correctly and in moderation that harnesses are bad. It's the people I see literally DRAGGING thier children with the leash that bother me.

 

[faithnj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardinal That's pretty cute that she barks sometimes. Heck, I think that the "leashes" are useful for practical reasons. However, when I tried it on my DS when we were at the mall, he hated it. Additionally, he kept trying to grab the "leash" part and he'd end up tripping himself. So, it doesn't work for us and I don't use one. I know many people that swear by them.

I think many kids would grab and trip for a while, but then get bored with that and move on to exploring more interesting things. I'm not saying your child would get bored with tripping and grabbing. But even though your child did that-- it shouldn't stop another mom from trying a harness, because their kid may do differently. I know my DD had to learn to walk with it. She would fall a lot at first. But after a while, she got used to it, and learned to explore independently, while staying close to mom. And frankly, I think the ability to explore independtly, while staying close is really a deep-seated need in kids. It's just they don't know how to reconcile those two needs within themselves. A harness can lead them subconciously to the solution.

Faith

 

[Cardinal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by faithnj I think many kids would grab and trip for a while, but then get bored with that and move on to exploring more interesting things. I'm not saying your child would get bored with tripping and grabbing. But even though your child did that-- it shouldn't stop another mom from trying a harness, because their kid may do differently. I know my DD had to learn to walk with it. She would fall a lot at first. But after a while, she got used to it, and learned to explore independently, while staying close to mom. And frankly, I think the ability to explore independtly, while staying close is really a deep-seated need in kids. It's just they don't know how to reconcile those two needs within themselves. A harness can lead them subconciously to the solution. Faith

I never thought of trying to get him to use the harness by having to overcome the 'grab and trip'. He seemed so unhappy with it that I didn't want to press the issue and force him into liking it/using it. I am glad that your child can use it and I agree they are practical, hence the reason I bought one originally. I do hope other people can find them useful. I would recommend them to anyone who has a spirited toddler, with the caveat that their child might not enjoy it!

 

[Sharlla]

My neighbor takes her two little ones on walks with harnesses. the little girls love it, they don't like holding hands and the mom doesn't feel like she has to be scared of them running out in the street. I see nothing wrong with it, better than having them sit in strollers IMO.

 

[janerose]

We also have the puppy one (which you can get at most Walmart's or online BTW). It was about $10.

DD doesn't mind it & I like that you can unclip the harness part & have it be just a backpack. I havn't gotten any bad comments yet, and several compliments from people. We don't use it a lot. Maybe a couple times a month. DD isn't a terrible runner, so it only gets used if we're hiking somewhere with a drop-off or in really busy places or if we have to be carrying something (and therefore can't be holding DD's hand).

I see nothing wrong with them as long as it's not abused. My mom is one of those parents who would have DD in a stroller or on the harness *every second* she has her out and IMHO that's a bit excessive and unecessary. However, I do think they have their place & I'm sure we'll use it more once the baby comes in January and I have to be juggling two!

Holly

 

[Yo Becca]

We just got DD the Monkey one made by GoldBug (from travelingwithkids.com) in preparation for airport travel and living in a big city. We've been letting her wear it around, and she's starting to like it a lot. We'll see how she feels when we attach the tail strap. But the other option is juggling lots of luggage and chasing her as she runs away.

 

[tboroson]

I think they're fantastic for the right kids. No doubt there are some kids who won't react well to them. No less than some kids who scream and fight when put in a sling. My dd1 rode in a sling nonstop for her first year, but once she was walking, she'd fight being put in the sling so bad you'd think I was trying to rip off her toenails. I could only sling her when she was tired. Somewhere around 2, though, she decided she'd had her fill of exploring (sometimes), and would ride peacefully again. Likewise, stroller was right out. She wanted to explore and move. But, she *loved* the leash. She liked playing games, rebounding off the end, swinging it, galloping like a horsey. Not only did it allow her to move and explore safely, she loved the leash itself.

 

[catnip]

There's a seam inside the pocket on the puppy back pack that can be carefully picked out so you can remove a handful or two of the stuffing, then you can restich it. This makes the pack actually large enough to hold something more than a matchbox car or a handkerchief. We use ours in the airport when I am travelling alone with her, and will probably use it at Disneyland this fall.

 

[arniflora]

We've got the puppy dog one and have used it to take walks with ds (at 20 months) along a nature trail. What I love about it is that to him it is a backpack that he loves to wear. It is not demeaning. It gives him freedom and security.

I get a little tense when we pass someone on the trail because I don't want people to think I have my son on a leash (I know it shouldn't matter what people think...) but honestly it would not be realistic to take this walk with ds right now without it. He'd be in the lake, the marsh, the brook... It works.

 

[Justmee]

I also have twins and I haven't needed a harness, but mine are usually happy to sit in the stroller and we aren't often in places where I am afraid of them running into traffic (they don't run into traffic, but lots of driveways in an industrail type area make me nervous). If we are in those areas, they just have to ride. Otherwise I am okay with them walking. If I lived in NYC I wouldn't hesitate to use a harness if they wanted to walk. It's not worth G/d forbid the possibility of losing them.