Little life backpack/ kiddy reins

[B81292]

Sorry if this has been asked before.

Darcey has been walking since 11 months (she's almost 14 months) and I think she's going to be a 'runner' ! She's very independent and likes to toddle off on her own. I said to OH that we should get some reins for her so she can walk more and he said absolutely not , it's like walking a dog!! That's the first I've ever heard of that. So I've seen those little life rucksacks which I thought were sweet and not so dog like (?!)

Please tell me what your views are on reins or if you have a little life! So I have a good argument against him and can go buy one

 

[candymycandy]

We have reins. My little boy hates them so it's always a bit of a fight so he doesn't wear them often. I wouldn't ever bother for general walks. But think they are really handy for walking in busy shops/areas. My boy is quite good at holding hands but not in shops when there's lots to see and he wants to run off and explore! I'd maybe just get some cheap basic ones first to see if they're helpful.

 

[fcroxy]

My OH didn't want to use reins for exactly the same reason as your OH. So instead I went for one of them back packs. I like that the rein also unclips so when they are big enough to walk by themselves you still have a backpack which can be used. My daughter still uses the back pack now at 3. X

 

[Maud]

We used reins with our eldest until she was about 2. They were mainly a back up in case she slipped from our hands while walking along the road, although we did let her wander on them in safe places like parks and woods. She loved them. We had some with a dinosaur on the body harness. I will definitely use them with my second when she walks.

 

[Lucyboo]

We have one of the backpacks, my LG loves it. Defo not like a leash and again doubles as a backpack x

 

[babybee]

I found them ok. I didn't really like them much as a way of attaching them and just holding the parent loop with either of my girls as they seemed to get really annoyed with them. It was ok as a back up with the loop round my wrist and me holding their hands so if they did do a crazy toddler dash they couldn't go very far. However they still weren't too keen and just got cross.

They didn't mind them at all if I took them out with the buggy and i would lock the parent loop onto the buggy and they walked along side the buggy with the rein attached to them via the backpack. I would also make them hold onto the buggy so they began to learn the acceptable etiquette of walking in the street. This was actually really effective as they soon learnt they either had to hold my hand or the buggy walking in the street or I would stop and we wouldn't go anywhere until they did as they were told. It took about 2 weeks for each girl to get to grips with it and not need them. Have to say it did feel like puppies on a leash but I didn't care as we live in a busy part of London and I needed them to walk properly for me.

 

[Rose83]

I have the nemo one for the my little girl and I think it's great. I think reins would be a lot more secure, for example I was on a pier at the beach and didn't feel comfortable letting go of her hand and just holding the end of the handle because it is just a plastic hook attached to a bag. But as others have said it is really good in shopping centres or car parks where you can hold their hands but use the loop round your wrist as a safety thing so they can't run away if they drop your hand, I also let her wander on it sometimes but I find she does tend to then get herself caught up in it and I have to watch she doesn't wrap it round her neck. Basically in summary, if I'm out on my own with her and my son then I wouldn't be without out because it feels a lot safer. I never feel like I'm walking a dog x

 

[JD.Deedee]

My son don't want them at all because I had the same thought as your OH.. which is annoying for nursery because if they do go to the park in summer they have to use them as a safety measure and my son always had to be took in the buggy in that respect I'd say try them.. what worked for me tho was when he runs off put him in the buggy 0 tolerance.. now at the airport, shop ect where we don't have the buggy he doesn't run off compared to some other kids his age. I would've made more effort to have him used to it if I'd known they'd use them in nursery for outings as a safety pre caution but I didn't. And also he won't wear a backpack now so for that too would be easy to have lo used to it.