Backpack/harnesses for toddlers

[luvflorida]

This past summer, at the zoo, an amusement park, and several other places, I spotted a lot of parents using these cute little critter backpack/harnesses on their little ones.

We are spending a week in Florida in February with our DD, DSIL and grandson (he'll be 17 months old when we visit). I'm thinking of buying a critter/harness for his days at Disney World and Sea World. Of course, we'll also have his stroller with us, but I know he's going to be at that age where he'll want to get out and walk, also.

Just wondering if anyone here uses/has used one of these harnesses. Does it work well for the parent and the child? Are there some that are better made than others? Any recommendations?

Harnesses were around many, many years ago when my own kids were little, but I never used them. Now however, I've seen some really cute ones that look more like a little backpack than a harness.

 

[Sparx]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4532497

its 9.00 at walmart.

have fun on your trip!

btw, at the bottom of the link, people review the product.

 

[luvflorida]

Thank you! That monkey one from Walmart is really cute!

I have done a bit of research online, but wanted to hear pros and cons from people that have used different versions of the harness. I figured there must be Dissers here that have used them in the parks, or other places. Of course, the reviews are written by people that bought the product, too.

 

[Starbrite]

We used to have the puppy one from WalMart (Years ago - DD is 8 now). I loved it

I wasn't afraid of the "Don't put your kid on a leash" bashers. We only ever used it in big, crowded places. Disney, Las Vegas, zoo, etc. Obviously it wasn't used in place of good parenting....but it gave me that extra piece of mind. We actually got a lot of compliments & people interested in it.

DD also loved it since it had a little backpack section in it. She named hers Woofy & even played with him when we weren't using it as a harness.

I highly recommend them.

 

[AllyandJack]

I have a pink one that's a regular backpack for my oldest. I've used it a few times and it's worked well. She loves her pink "pack-pack" and sometimes she wears it without the leash part attached.

I'm trying to teach her to hold my hand, so I generally wrap the leash around my wrist and hold her hand. But, there comes a time when she's struggling to get free and I can only squeeze so hard before I fear breaking her hand. At that point, I let go of her hand and she can't go more than foot because I have the leash around my wrist.

I rarely go out with all 3 by myself because it's horrible. Once, I had no choice and had to take all 3, by myself, into the city. I put the 2 little ones in my double stroller and let my oldest walk. She was fascinated with everything, which resulted in me pushing my double stroller with 1 hand, carrying the diaper bag, and struggling to keep her from chasing every dog, truck, and bicycle.

I was really happy I had that "pack-pack" then!

I think I got it at Babies R Us. It's just a little pink backpack thing and you can detach the leash part.

I've gotten the side eye a few times from people, but I don't care. Have 3 kids 23mo apart and then come give me advice about handling it on your own. I just stare right back and smile.

 

[5 'LIL *TWINKERS*]

We have the monkey one from Walmart....dd2 hated it. She did not want it on her back. I love the idea though and if she would wear it, I would be completely fine with it. I think she may have let me be attached to her wrist though. Wrist to moms wrist. That may have worked better but we never tried.

 

[Crystal0608]

Before they were in stores locally, I bought 2 angel wing harnesses on ebay. They had little zipper pouches to hold a small toy or snack. I was afraid to use them in public, but I had quite a few people come up and ask me where to buy them. I don't remember the brand.

 

[All American]

We used the puppy one from Wal*Mart and loved it. We had used one with velcro before, but the clips on the puppy felt more secure. Also, the tail is removable. My daughter is five now, but she actually saw one at Target she begged for because it looked exactly like her favorite teddy bear. She still likes to put the thing on when we are at home so she can play "doggy". (She uses the tail as a leash.)

I highly recommend them. If it gives you piece of mind to keep that cute 'lil grandson a little safer with some freedom to "wander", then go for it.

 

[Disney Doll]

I don't have a problem with them,but there are a million DISers who do. I understand 100% a parent's desire to keep their child safe by using one.

Good luck with this one...you're goiing to get flamed.

 

[luvflorida]

We used the puppy one from Wal*Mart and loved it. We had used one with velcro before, but the clips on the puppy felt more secure. Also, the tail is removable. My daughter is five now, but she actually saw one at Target she begged for because it looked exactly like her favorite teddy bear. She still likes to put the thing on when we are at home so she can play "doggy". (She uses the tail as a leash.)

I highly recommend them. If it gives you piece of mind to keep that cute 'lil grandson a little safer with some freedom to "wander", then go for it.

Thank you for the info about velcro/clips!

I don't have a problem with them,but there are a million DISers who do. I understand 100% a parent's desire to keep their child safe by using one.

Good luck with this one...you're goiing to get flamed.

I hope not! My intention in posting was not to debate whether harnesses are used or not used. I was looking more for info on the quality of one version vs. another, and on how easy/hard parents find them to use.

 

[bas71873]

Don't sweat the flames. Do what is right for you and your family. When my DD was that age, she HATED the stroller (and has never been much of a hand holder either), so I bought a monkey backpack harness for trips we took and it worked great. Gave her a little freedom and gave me peace of mind. My biggest concern was airports and it worked perfectly for us, plus, the walking gave her the opp to tire herself out .

Wouldn't you rather have a happy child than one that is forcefully confined to a stroller and screaming to get out. I saw that several times at Disney

 

[Uuaww]

Thank you for the info about velcro/clips!



I hope not! My intention in posting was not to debate whether harnesses are used or not used. I was looking more for info on the quality of one version vs. another, and on how easy/hard parents find them to use.

It's still early in the morning, the morning dew has kept any sparks from acting up and starting the flames of fire.