Is it ok to put on a leash harness on a toddler?

Jul 31st, 2021 4:12 pm

#1

domo325 [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Jan 23, 2009; 7458 posts; 4752 upvotes

Jul 31st, 2021 4:12 pm

Is it ok to put on a leash harness on a toddler?

So, I have a growing toddler who's a runner. Is putting on a leash harness on a toddler a controversy?

I saw a parent that had a leash on his 1 yr old in a playground, and thought it was a great idea, as their child explores in a safe manner.

.

Jul 31st, 2021 7:20 pm

#2

ckay1980: Deal Addict; Mar 24, 2015; 1353 posts; 684 upvotes; Ottawa, ON

Jul 31st, 2021 7:20 pm

I've seen parents using it and I don't think it's bad. I've considered it once for my son when he was a toddler as we were going to crowded places abroad but I forgot to buy one. So we just held his hand most of the time or we let him go free and followed him very closely.
I say go for it if you feel comfortable using it and whatever works for you. I wouldn't worry about what others think of it.

+1

Jul 31st, 2021 7:27 pm

#3

ranjeet2000: Deal Addict; Nov 1, 2001; 1150 posts; 471 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 31st, 2021 7:27 pm

domo325 wrote: ↑ So, I have a growing toddler who's a runner. Is putting on a leash harness on a toddler a controversy?

I saw a parent that had a leash on his 1 yr old in a playground, and thought it was a great idea, as their child explores in a safe manner.

If the child safety is at risk, it's fine.

+1

Jul 31st, 2021 11:25 pm

#4

valeriey: Deal Expert; Dec 22, 2006; 44007 posts; 43935 upvotes; Economy, NS

Jul 31st, 2021 11:25 pm

It is perfectly fine.
Put it on him/her and hold your head high.

Don't take life too seriously.
No one gets out alive anyway.

Aug 1st, 2021 9:20 am

#5

Asriel: Sr. Member; Feb 1, 2009; 545 posts; 881 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 1st, 2021 9:20 am

Agreed it’s fine if you have one that will allow it.

Aug 2nd, 2021 4:26 pm

#6

Sternchen30890: Member; Jan 28, 2019; 442 posts; 209 upvotes

Aug 2nd, 2021 4:26 pm

I had one for my son when he was little. It was a life saver at the airport. People that shake heads about them are the ones with quiet kids that cannot relate to a child that is extremely active and fast

+2

Aug 3rd, 2021 8:24 pm

#7

cardle: Deal Addict; Dec 12, 2010; 2163 posts; 621 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 3rd, 2021 8:24 pm

It's entirely your choice. I had one when my son was a toddler who was prone to running off and it was a lifesaver.

Aug 3rd, 2021 9:38 pm

#8

vkizzle: Deal Expert; Aug 22, 2011; 38902 posts; 25494 upvotes; Center of Universe

Aug 3rd, 2021 9:38 pm

It's your kid and you have every right to put measures in place for their safety.

+1

Aug 4th, 2021 1:01 pm

#9

durrsak: Deal Addict; Jun 10, 2011; 2226 posts; 754 upvotes; Etobicoke

Aug 4th, 2021 1:01 pm

I've used it until my son turned 2. Especially on walks when he wouldn't like to hold my hand.

Aug 4th, 2021 3:26 pm

#10

fryguy1987: Member; Jan 3, 2017; 435 posts; 417 upvotes

Aug 4th, 2021 3:26 pm

cardle wrote: ↑ It's entirely your choice. I had one when my son was a toddler who was prone to running off and it was a lifesaver.

same

Aug 4th, 2021 6:14 pm

#11

56kbps: Sr. Member; Nov 23, 2015; 823 posts; 520 upvotes; Winnipeg

Aug 4th, 2021 6:14 pm

It's wise to use one if your kid needs it, OP. And kids vary... my oldest never really ran off so I never used the harness. My younger one by contrast liked to speed off, so we used it in public places like airports. I didn't care what anyone thought, although no one gave me any grief over it.

Aug 4th, 2021 7:47 pm

#12

tim-x: Deal Addict; Nov 8, 2005; 3232 posts; 2833 upvotes

Aug 4th, 2021 7:47 pm

Every child is different. It is a good tool to be used along with proper parenting. Do both and be proud that you are working hard to teach your child responsibility while also ensuring s/he lives to utilize those lessons.

Aug 4th, 2021 11:40 pm

#13

Clacker: Deal Addict; Mar 10, 2010; 1525 posts; 511 upvotes

Aug 4th, 2021 11:40 pm

We used this one time when were were doing Canada Day in Ottawa, and it worked great, I don't think I've encountered anybody who's had a problem with it, but there are always going to be some people who will have a problem with anything you do.

I think the only issue would be if you attached it using a choke collar :P

Aug 5th, 2021 9:35 am

#14

valeriey: Deal Expert; Dec 22, 2006; 44007 posts; 43935 upvotes; Economy, NS

Aug 5th, 2021 9:35 am

Clacker wrote: ↑ We used this one time when were were doing Canada Day in Ottawa, and it worked great, I don't think I've encountered anybody who's had a problem with it, but there are always going to be some people who will have a problem with anything you do.

I think the only issue would be if you attached it using a choke collar :P

Don't take life too seriously.
No one gets out alive anyway.

Aug 5th, 2021 1:01 pm

#15

Mars2012: Moderator; May 28, 2012; 12191 posts; 4888 upvotes; Saskatoon

Aug 5th, 2021 1:01 pm

I thought it was weird until I had my third child. I would have certainly put one on him if we had one...instead, he got used to being in a back pack carrier. That was the only way I could guarantee that he wasn't playing in the toilet while I was preparing supper.

Aug 5th, 2021 3:58 pm

#16

Oni-kun: Deal Fanatic; Mar 17, 2004; 5488 posts; 953 upvotes; Toronto

Aug 5th, 2021 3:58 pm

I tried it a few years back when my kid was 1.5 years old in Japan at a department store. He wasn't using one before. I put it on him and within a few minutes he ate s**t. Decided i'd just grab his arm instead

Aug 5th, 2021 8:32 pm

#17

gr8dlr: Deal Expert; Sep 1, 2005; 19459 posts; 14446 upvotes; Markham

Aug 5th, 2021 8:32 pm

I see ppl put their dog in a stroller so I don't see why you can't put a leash on a child.

We're all bozos on the bus until we find a way to express ourselves...

Failure is always an option...just not the preferred one!

+1

Aug 5th, 2021 10:55 pm

#18

rogerrabbit168: Deal Addict; Feb 25, 2007; 3082 posts; 804 upvotes

Aug 5th, 2021 10:55 pm

we had one, backpack style for our son, it was fine, who cares what others think. My son enjoyed the freedom to walk around. I don' t remember using it for our daughter afterwards

Aug 6th, 2021 12:17 am

#19

poorwingman: Deal Addict; Jul 4, 2006; 4358 posts; 1093 upvotes

Aug 6th, 2021 12:17 am

Years ago, my gf (now wife) thought it was disgusting. That children are people. Not pets.

And now that we've got our own toddler.

She wants it.

hahaha!

Do what you have to! It's the safety of your precious.

+2