Baby harness advice

[issa]

*delurking*


My husband and I live close to Disney, and now that the weather has cooled, we plan on visiting the parks a lot more.

We have an 8 yr old DD and our 15 month DD. Now my 8 year old when she was little was quite content to stay in the stroller or hold hands for brief walks, very laid back baby. Our little one...well....there is nothing she doesnt fear (except a time out lol) and loves to be on the move and exploring.

She will hold hands as this is somthing we have not given an option on when outside the stroller, but she often seems that her arm hurts and jerks away...but cries because she doesnt want to run and get a time out. So we go through a battle of her wanting independece... and yet her arm being tired..to crying to being held or in the stroller...but trying SO hard to behave as well.

and to be honest..shes getting big...to carry her around the world will kill our backs...as well as hand holding all day.


SOOooo I am left with maybe..possibly..considering a harness?? ( does that make me a horrid mom ? )

I never thought i would use one, but the diffrence between my children is amazing...and I dont want to totally restrict my little adventurer..but i dont want her out of control or getting lost.

What to do


I would prefer not a wrist "leash" ( I hate the thought of a leash) but the over the sholder ones look so...harness-ie ...is there a belt version? how does it work...are they safe and reliable?

if I use a harness...will I be spoiling her with the hand holding. ..I mean will I just make things like staying close to mom a bigger battle later on by giving her this small freedom?


any recommendations or stories. We would like to go this weekend but I find myself dreading the situations I know will occur.

Thank you for your input...good and bad

 

[mom2alix]

Go for it! We went when DD was 18 months old and I used a harness part of the time for the very reasons you describe. Little one's arms get tired from holding hands and they don't want to ride in the stroller.

DD loved the harness and we didn't have so much as one remark or dirty look from anyone (if that's what is worrying you).

I don't use the harness on a regular basis so reactions might be different elsewhere, but at WDW I think most people understand that kids are going to get excited and parents have to do what they need to do to keep their little ones safe.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[issa]

thanks for the reply...and thank you for confirming my thought i might be over thinking the situation with her arms.


what harness did you use? did it "pitch" your little one anywhere or cause discomfort?

 

[Disney_1derland]

We are in the same boat with our 2nd. I have purchased the harness and put it on her once but I felt awful about it. She was much happier with the harness than with holding our hands but I was insecure about it. We are going to WDW in 2 weeks and we are taking the harness just in case. I don't know if we will use it or not, but I will have it just in case.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

What would make you a worse mom; putting a harness on your child or possibly losing them? No question about it, the harness is the lessor of two evils. I have used the harness since my oldest was able to walk (she's 6 now) and while at first some of my family thought it was uncivilized they quickly learned the perks of not having to take the chance of losing my daughter (a notorious wanderer and hand jerker). I have no problem what so ever with using the harness. As for wrist verses actual harness (the over the shoulder kind) well the wrist does come all the way undone and you could attach it to a belt loop on the back of your baby's pants (this is what I do). Half the time, they never realize it is there. I will be using the harness with Holly as soon as she figures out how to walk.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

I got my dd's harness at Sears or Penny's - can't remember now.

It fit over both shoulders and zipped up the back and had the leash that attached at the back too - she wore it alot - from 11 mo - until couldn't zip it anymore. At one time I even put a heavier D ring on back.

I just attached the one end to my fanny pack and other to her - we both loved it. One trip she had a ball with the characters - especially Pluto, Chip and Dale cos they would "compare" tails

First couple of trips I got the dirty looks and comments, but all trips after that I had people coming up and asking where I got it - too bad I didn't have a supply - could have made a fortune

I was and a still a firm believer in harness - little ones can dart off too quickly

 

[piglet too]

I for one think they are great ideas.

 

[4greatboys]

Go for it. I couldnt care less what bunch of strangers think. We are using one on our next trip. My 2 yr old has 1 speed--full speed ahead. Calling his name doesnt even phase him. He is also at the age where he doesnt want to ride in the stroller all the time so this way he can walk--have a smidge of independence and still be safe.

 

[janette]

Bumping this for you, I've read that some people have found a fanny pack that has a leash on the back. The wrist type don't work, usually kids that really need the attachment will just undo them I used the harness type when my youngest was small but the fanny pack ones sound perfect.

 

[MelessaG]

I'm quite sure my younger sister lived to adulthood because my parents put one on her. I've had to use one with my son a few times. I have more kids than I have hands, and he used to be fond of running off while I chased behind with his baby sister in my arms and his older sister at my heels. Fortunately, he has outgrown that. Time will tell about my 2 1/2 year-old, and to be on the safe side, the harness comes with us to WDW.

 

[LMC]

I have a harness that I have never had to use on my two older children but you can bet that I will use it on 3yo DS when we go to WDW in January! I can't look in three directions at the same time and using it (if he won't stay in the stoller) is better than losing him. I don't give a shoot what other people think/say anyway. Thay can raise theirs the way they want and I'll raise mine the way I want.

 

[issa]

Thank you al for your input.


though I felt awkard..I went and bought a harness today..2 actually..a wrist and a over sholder...to compare and see what worked better for us.

She is MUCH happier with it on and was having a ball with her freedom....now ..to be brave enough to use at Disney