Backpack leashes for young ones?

[PrincessTigerLily]

for your replies. It's nice to know there are others in the same boat. I will definitely try to track down the Monkey backpack. I only plan to use it when necessary, and if I feel a little guilty I will tell myself : better to be safe than sorry!
Thanks everyone!

 

[ndgqccmiller]

Walmart has the doggy and the monkey for 7.88 in the baby section.

 

[xyzabc33]

Well it took me a few days but I have answered my own questions again.

Found some "girlie" ones on a really neat site
http://www.travelingwithkids.com/product_info.php/pName/two-in-one-harness-buddy
Scroll down to see the different styles, bunnies lambs, frogs, cows, and my DD's fav a white unicorn with a pink horn(they wont be available till July)
I called the company to ask the same questions as on here. Wonderful nice lady called me back not an hour later.
She wasnt sure whether they could be worn backward or not, but if I found out would I please give her a call back so she could inform others. (her kids are all too old to test that on) Would the heads hit the kid's chin if worn that way, possibly would depend on the child's body (taller ones-no prob)

AND THE ANSWERS ARE>>>>>>> (i took one out of the package at Target to find out--btw I live 1 1/2 hours from the nearest target)
I used my DD4 ,Height 40" Weight about 40 lbs., as a gueina pig for this experiment.
Yes they can be worn backward with no prob (at least on her-she is tall and slender) You just have to adjust the straps so that the head is below the chin. It is very cute like that, looks like the animal is hugging the child and vice versa. It also doesnt look like a harness that way. Just like a stuffy they are holding.
Instead of clipping the tail on the front I looped it thru the botton back strap (put the clip end down over the one back strap then just ran it thru the handle of the tail which left me holding the clip end --does that make sense?) The advantage of this and a big one that helps those ppl worried they will look like they are holding a leash is...... YOU DONT HAVE TO! Clip the thing on your belt loop WHOO HOO hands free! I tried it, it works great.
Also I seemed to have more control over her movement this way then when it was put on the way it was intended. Where the clip is supposed to go when the animal is on the back is at the bottom of the animal. I noticed that it kind of pulls outward almost flipping the kid forward head first because the tension is on their lower back. Being able to attach it anywhere on the back seems to help (my DD was good about modeling for experimenting) I would think toward the middle to top back would be better. My DD is long so normal harnesses did the same thing to her.

The head just bearly (get it bear? the one we tried on..lol) grazed her chin. She loved that you could put things in the pocket. Which BTW tends to be a little small but if you are handy with a needle there is enuf space under the pocket inside the animal that you could open up that one and insert a deeper one.

I will definately be ordering one of these (unicorn) soon. I figure it could pull double duty as a backpack when she goes to preschool (have to fix the pocket) Oh! If you have a bigger child (bulkier) you could get extensions for the clips. I cant remember where I saw them but I am sure either a fabric store or baby store may carry them.

OH ALMOST FORGOT! For you POO POOHER"S of these contraptions that say carrying a stuffy on your back could get hot....AIN"T TRUE. The things are soooooooooooooooooooooooo lightweight and small that it isnt going to bother a normal child more then wearing a shirt. Obviously a sane parent isnt going to keep this on their kid 24/7 but for an hour or so even in hot weather, not a problem

GOOD LUCK everyone!

 

[wannago2disney]

My own mother used to say how horrible it was for a parent to put a leash on their child. We just purchased one for our Jan 08 trip for DD 2 and would you believe it, my mother asked if we wanted her to buy on for my DS 4. Times are changing and in this day and age it is better to be safe than sorry....even Nana has had a change of heart!

 

[xyzabc33]

My own mother used to say how horrible it was for a parent to put a leash on their child. We just purchased one for our Jan 08 trip for DD 2 and would you believe it, my mother asked if we wanted her to buy on for my DS 4. Times are changing and in this day and age it is better to be safe than sorry....even Nana has had a change of heart!

GO NANA!

 

[Nynaeve]

My neighbor has one for her DS2. He is a runner, and does not listen to them at all. I can't tell you how many times I've seen him dash for the end of our street if it's not on, and boy is he fast!! They are loving, but soft spoken parents, and they really need it. I can't picture them taking him to a crowded place like Disney, he'd be gone in seconds!

We were worried about my DD4, because she used to want to try and bolt when she saw something that interested her. She just had to learn the rules and grow out of that. If she was still doing that when we went to WDW, I'd have made her wear one too. Anything to keep her safe!!

 

[T16GEM]

I have a harness type thing that I use for dd who is 19months, sometimes it's jut safer to have her where you can grab her. I wouldn't feel safe pushing my son in the stroller and having Shelby running free and she asks to have them on most of the time too!

 

[CrazyaboutCinderella]

I use the harness type leash on my DS3. People look at me like I'm strange for walking my child like this, but I know that he is going to stay with me and not get stolen. He doesn't like riding in the strollers anymore, he kicks and screams if I try and put him in one. We bought the Safari Wagons from Toys R Us and can sometimes get him to ride in that, but more often I end up putting him in the harness leash.

 

[dismom22boys]

I have never had to use a "leash" at home - but brought one with me to the park when my son was a little over 2. My older son was also more inclined to stay with me at all times. My little guy, like yours, is VERY independent and thinks nothing of running off. At first I felt funny using it - but I thank God I brought it. They are so overwhelmed and it is so easy to be distracted. I did not have to use it much - but I was happy I had it with me - and happy to have my son return home with us safe and sound. My only recommendation would be to use it here and there before you leave - so they get used to it and think it is a gmae or fun. My son was unhappy when we first put it on him and I think I would rather have dealt with that at home. To note though - mine was like a safety harness - I was not aware of the cute backpack style ones when I bought mine. He might have liked the backpack option better. You can tell them they are going to wear their backpack and if they are good they can fill it with a little treat! Have fun!

 

[Golden Rose]

I'm another mom of a very independent 2 year old, and after much internal debate, I went ahead and purchased one of the monkey ones. Our DS does not like to get in and out of his stroller. If he is in it, he won't come out, and if he is out of it, he won't get in. Very much a creature of inertia! Trying to either get him in or get him out prompts a temper tantrum that convinces everyone in the area that we are torturing our tot.

He really wants to be carried all the time, but he is a very tall two year old and weighs about 35 pounds, and even my husband wears out pretty fast. He also won't hold hands, unless it is his own idea. So we were pretty much at a loss about what to do at WDW. We've bought the monkey backpack, but the one time we tried to put it on him he fussed until we took it off. On the other hand, he loves to carry it around and play with it, so at least I feel like we're making some progress...

 

[Briar_Rose]

Thanks for link. They are really cute. I love the bunny but am worried the white will get dirty easier. Maybe we'll do the panda or koala.

Sorry but I am still worried that it will be too hot in Sept in Florida, which is when we will be there. I am not poo-poohing these contraptions. I am just concerned my little one will get overheated which does not take long in 90 degree weather. I know how sweated my back got from carrying a tiny well ventilated backpack at WDW in August. If anyone has actual experience with the animal backpack harnesses in hot weather, I would love to hear your experience before I purchase one myself.

 

[Briar_Rose]

Just found this on the same site. If the backpack one turns out to be too hot this may be better for us.

http://www.travelingwithkids.com/pr...me/health-safety-childproofing-away-from-home

 

[taylorsmommy05]

Thanks for link. They are really cute. I love the bunny but am worried the white will get dirty easier. Maybe we'll do the panda or koala.

Sorry but I am still worried that it will be too hot in Sept in Florida, which is when we will be there. I am not poo-poohing these contraptions. I am just concerned my little one will get overheated which does not take long in 90 degree weather. I know how sweated my back got from carrying a tiny well ventilated backpack at WDW in August. If anyone has actual experience with the animal backpack harnesses in hot weather, I would love to hear your experience before I purchase one myself.

I agree... If I was going ANY other time... besides smack dab in the summer I would use one of these in a heartbeat! But being born and raised in Miami.... I know the humidity can kill you.... and the thought of even a shirt on your back at times seems sweltering! I ended up ordering my DD a wrist one off ebay.. I am sure I am going to get the dog leash looks...but I don't care... I am more concerned about my dd safety that what people think!

 

[The Sweetness]

he is a very tall two year old and weighs about 35 pounds,

My back aches for you! My little one is barely 20 lbs on a **full** stomach. She wants to walk. Doesnt particularly like the stroller, or being carried. Sometimes in stores, I feel like I have no choice though, as sh doesnt understand *hands off* yet, or just wont listen

I have the Elmo harness, and she seems to like it (used it once this weekend) as she loves Elmo. She *did* however get a little PO'd when she realized that even though she could walk w/ out holding hands, she couldnt bolt away, or wander away form me (the lead is just 4ft, I think)

I think this solution fits us, for now. Unfortunately, yesterday I made the mistake of taking her with me to Publix (grocery) without it As soon as we got there, I wished I had brought the harness, or at least her older sis to hold her hand while I wrangled us a cart. They were all lined up together, and when I tried to pull one away w/ 1 hand, It was stuck to a second one. I told Ariel to hold on to my pocket (DD 15 used to do this all the time when she was a tot) while I freed the cart. I closed her little hand around my pocket, and as soon as I took my hand off hers to get the cart, she took off, and I mean faster than ever . Right out the auto-doors of the store and off the curb into the driveway before I could grab her I dont think Ive ever screamed in my life, as loud as I did when she bolted away. I was absolutely terrified Luckilly, everyone in the parking lot was being cautious, and steering their carts or driving their cars slowly, and no one even came close to her (it only took me 2/3 seconds to grab her from the time she took off, but if yours has ever bolted away from you, you know how terrifying that is )

Sorry this was so long, but I am never taking her out alone without that harness again (as long as she's a sprinter, anyway )

 

[all4fun]

We used the regular nylon safety harness (bought at Target - I think it was the Parents or Safety 1st brand) when ds was between 2-3-1/2 and it worked great. He was a runner too and it not only gave us a little peace of mind but it also gave him a physical boundary and he was actually much calmer with it on. We didn't use it as a replacement for hand-holding - but it did have the effect on him that he was actually more willing to hold our hands when he was wearing it. So different strokes for different folks...but it worked for us. We didn't really need it around home but my mom actually used it a few times when she was babysitting and would go for walks with ds. One time she didn't use it and he ran up to a chain link fence at a neighbors house w/two big barking dogs behind it (ds has NO fear) and since she's diabetic and has heart issues she just can't keep up w/him. After that she wanted the leash so he couldn't dash off from her any more. So they are also great for parents or grandparents w/mobility issues as well.

We just got back and I also saw lots of little ones with the stuffed animal harnesses. I spoke to one mom about it and she said it was great except her ds did tend to get warm wearing it so I think that is a valid concern. It was only in the mid-80's when we were there for the most part. I think Sept. is hotter.

hth