"I am about to embark on a several flights trip to the US with 2
children. I am looking to get a toddler harness for my son so that he
can't get too far away at the airport. I saw a mom recently who had
harnesses that looked like teddy bears on the kids backs and wondered
where she got them. I need to purchase this item very soon as our
first flight is next week. If you have seen these (or any other
harnesses) in stores I'd love to know.
Thanks
Jackie"
38 comments:
Hey Jackie, I hate to be so vague, but, I did see these in a flyer recently, and it sounds like it is exactly what you're looking for. They had a plush animal on the kid's back. Anyway, it was either at Walmart, or Zellers, If anyone knows which, please correct me. LOL.. Have you tried calling around to the stores?
I think having them in a stroller right with you would be safer in a busy airport than out on a lease.
Walmart has them, they have monkeys, dogs, unicorns and horses. They also have safety first ones that look like an actual harness but the animal ones are much cuter. If I remember correctly I paid $15 for ours.
Hi, yes it is Walmart and they are a stuffed animal back pack. I got one as a gift. I haven't had to use it yet as baby is just learning to walk. What are peoples thoughts on using them...I have heard mixed opinions. Some say they are like puting a dog on a leash some say its wonderful.
My opinion on it: better safe than sorry. I worked at Walmart for a while and saw way too many Code Adams, kids take off and a lot of parents say its about teaching their kids to stay close by, well when you have a 1 year old that doesnt want to go in a stroller its also very hard to teach them anything.
We have one and havent used it much, our son loves his stroller but I have full intention of using it in the future. We plan on having another baby in a year and by then my son will probably want to walk, well Im not taking chances, and I really dont care what anyone thinks about it.
When it comes to keeping my kids safe, Ill do anything, and I really dont care what other think, the way I see it if either I strap by son into a stroller and he kicks and screams and makes a huge scene (assuming he'll hate the stroller after a while) or I put him on a leash and he's safe.
My concern is if you're in a busy airport and someone decides they are going to snatch your child and they are only on a harness, a strong person could grab them and take off pulling the harness right from you whereas if they are strapped into a stroller (kicking and screaming or not) then they are much closer to you and it would deter anyone from really trying to snatch them. That's my "better to be safe than sorry"
I was mostly speaking about shopping malls, in the aiport I dont know what I would do if my options were a harness or stroller, its not always convinient to bring a stroller with you, and it depends on which airport your in (the one in Fredericton I wouldnt bother with a stroller). We own a back carrier that we will use for travelling, it takes a lot less room and the baby is way harder to grab.
Thanks so much ladies, I knew you'd come through for me!
I contemplated the stroller route but it's too difficult to get thru security, the kids have to be can't be strapped into anything. And I couldn't figure out how to manage a stroller, suit case, and carry on on my own.
I think what I'll do is Strap the baby in the snugli and get a skycap when we have to change terminals (at Logan intl. and Bush intl.) I was most worried about layovers where my son will want to be able to run around. I plan to bring a portable DVD player and pacify him with Dora during the flight and especially long layovers.
Anyone else have any suggestions for traveling with an infant and a toddler solo. Hubby can't get the time off work to come with us so I'm on my own.
How old are you kids?
Jackie,
I flew across Canada with my Toddler he was just under 1 at the time. Alone, and pregnant I was.
I think you are right on with the DVD player idea, that's what I did, I also brought lots of snacks, and drinks for him, and toys.
Try handing your toddler one toy at a time and it will extend the time you get out of them.
Good luck.
Where are you headed BTW?
Yes, how old are your kids? Because there are whole bunch of printouts available like coloring pages and little crafts he or she might be able to do right on their tray. See sidebar on the main page.
I travelled alone and pregnant with my son a few months ago from Halifax to Ottawa and it wasn't too bad. The worst part was getting all our stuff from the van into the aiport and back out. The luggage stroller things we used had to places to sit children in and then all your stuff went on the back and trust me, we didn't travel light! I had 2 suitcases, a stroller, a car seat, play pen, my carry on and diaper bag on that thing! When we checked our bags, we were able to keep the stroller with us and when we went through security, I didn't even have to take him out. They just waved the wand over the stroller and everything and checked it over. No biggie. Then I sky checked it so I had it right when I got off the plane. If your infant is small enough, a sling would probably be an easy fix, but I think I'd still go with a stroller. It was a lot easier for us.
I used a stroller too, and also had it sky checked. That was the first time I flew and what a wonderful thing sky checking is lol, and I found the people to be really helpful (the employees) I flew Air Canada. Fredericton to Calgary. I took a night flight, and Austin slept all the way from T.O. to Calgary.
How long are your stops for?
i would think it would be easier to just use a light umbrella stroller. although i think using those leashes on children are mostly just that 'leashes' i dont see the need for it at all.
Hi Jackie,
I saw that exact harness at walmart on the Northside a couple of weeks ago in the baby section. I'm not sure if walmart in the regent mall has them or not, but I would definitely check with them if you're on the southside.
we have the safety first harness and we love it. Even my son loves it. He is 2.5 yrs old and has decided that the stroller is not for him..he will do anything from standing in it, screaming the whole trip or dragging his feet on the ground so you cant move. I bought the harness for halloween night when putting him in and out of a stroller was nuts and he hated it but now that he wants to walk and realizes that he can only go so far on the harness he cooperates more and sometimes when i dont use the harness ie: going from house to the car or for short walks around the block he willingly holds my hand (something he wouldnt do before). As for ppl saying its unsafe because the child isnt as close as a stroller...I ask how long do you think the harness is? I found it great for the airport also when we flew to Pittsburgh. We had a 4hr layover and obviously my son was curious about everything and wanted to walk everywhere. I feel they are very safe. Obviuosly your not going to stop watching your child and assume the harness is 100% fullproof neither is a stroller but at least this way you have your hands free and your child is content and happy.
LOL you are all making me want to get one! LOL, I considered getting a double stroller, Have 2 babies one year apart, but I think that I might get one of those instead... Thanks Girls :)
i think the idea of putting your child on a 'leash' is horrible it is not a dog hence the reason why you take the time to teach your child how to listen and stay close. it is called parenting. they might not like the stroller..well..thats life. a lot of children don't like carseats either are you going to stop using it just because they protest a little? i doubt it.
I know with my 2 year old, I would rather have him on a harness to keep him safe, than take the chance that he may not obey and dart out onto the road.
We're not talking about the road, we're talking about airports and shopping malls.
well the point is that i think you are being ridiculous.. and a bit rude.
I wouldn't normally use a leash but I've got one child who is going on 5 months old who is still nursing and my son who is 2 likes to be free. I can't expect him to sit still in a chair while I am feeding the baby during a layover and I don't have another adult there to run after him should he decide he wants to go look at something. He also won't sit in a stroller unless it is going somewhere.
I have two stops each way and they vary in length from 2 to 5 hours.
We took my son on this very same trip when he was my daughter's age but that time I had my husband with me and only one child. I did encounter problems with security tho they made me take him out of the sling when we went thru, mind you we also had to take off our shoes.
Maybe I'll pick up a cheap umbrella stroller so I can put my son or the baby in it at the airport. They are pretty lightweight and I can sky check it.
my son is the same way, he will not sit still in a stroller for long unless it's moving lol
most child is like that...including mine but i can't see how that equals resorting to putting a leash on them. leashes/harness are for animals.
I can see why someone would use harnesses for kids. They are attached to you but if the kids are little surely all that walking would tire you both out. Since you'll have to carry your stuff. I've never been on an airplane and my biggest thing about it is the hussle and bussle with all of my things and the Kids. I've heard that people want to help you. Once I was picking up a friend and woman pushed her stroller right out to the plane.
well if you dont want to use one you dont have to, but dont be rude to the ones who do. it looks to me like you are trying to pick a fight.
Those are very long layovers...maybe you can talk to the airline/airport and they might have mommy rooms or something you can go to. I know that most of them have kid play areas.
To who ever is complaining about harnesses, give it a break! No one is teaching there child to be a animal and you should try to force your views on someone else.
By the way you should probably stop using your stroller since DOGS also use them.
Stop trying to get under ppls skin..if u dont like harness fine, say so a leave it at that. But dont accuess ppl of treating there children like animals, if anything they are trying to protect them.
EXACTLY!!!!! It's not ur decision to make!
I honestly believe that post and all the other ones should be take off this forum too. because for someone to just go and compare a child to a dog is plain ignorant. why do you want that on here anyways anonymouse? are you the one who was trying to pick a fight? get a life!
Ok to the poeple that are saying that using a leash (yes I call it leash because thats what me and my husband call it as a JOKE) are like treating your kids like a dog, Im assuming you guys dont use cribs either? You know they resemble a cage an aweful lot...
Some people are just looking to start trouble arent they.... and isnt it funny that those are always the people that sign in under "anonymous"
I don't know what you don't understand anonymous, you were comparing children to animals.... this is a parent's site. We all have children. Feel free to blog else where, as I'm sure that no one will tolerate someone comparing a child to a pet... Have a nice day everyone...
As was previously stated "anonymous" please feel free to blog elsewhere as I will not tolerate name calling. Thank you.
Thank you ladies, I'm the one who started the discussion on your opinions of the harness...I got one for a gift and was unsure of it. But you know what I love my child and I tried 16 years for her and I don't want to risk losing her...so if people think shes on a leash too BAD!!! Lets face it there are alot of people of question that lurk around malls and things, lets do what we need to keep our kids safe. Thanks again.
we bought one to use in the airport w our 2yr old... and it was great! Having a 3 hour layover in NY and flying to florida, with a 2yr old (and baby) it was a great thing! This was the first time we ever used one, and I think they can be very handy when used correctly!
*we also sell them at Stylin Mama, baby & Tot in Saint John
www.stylinmama.ca
(Dog, Dino, Hippo, Tiger...) My daughter was excited to get her "backpack!"
I will admit the first time I seen someone using one I felt bad for the child and did not understand why people used them, my first child is very calm, chills out and listens very well but now my second is a very busy little one so now I understand why people use them. I dont like being in the mall or anywhere and my youngest getting away that is to scary and I no im a good mom. Strollers and shopping carts just dont cut it, she has to be able to move around so the backpack is a great thing.
Someone said it would be easier to grab the child with a backpack. Well I think if someone wanted to take the child a stroller is not going to stop them either.
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