Anyone Hear Anything About the Eddie Bauer Harness Buddy?

Updated on March 19, 2007
M.B. asks from Providence, RI
14 answers

So my son loves to run around, and frankly he's too freakin' heavy to carry through crowds all of the time. The stroller gets cumbersome and takes up most of the trunk of my car. I was at the zoo the other day and saw this cute little boy with a teddy-bear getting a piggy-back ride from him, only to realize that he had a harness on!! I thought it was genius!! His parents said that he's really active and wants to walk around, but still isn't too into listening to them when they try to keep him near them. My son is the same way!! So, my question is, does anyone have one? Love it or hate it? I need some feedback on this thing. It seems like a good idea, but who knows!

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So What Happened?

SO, I picked up the Bear Buddy harness thingy at Target for about $10. So far Marik loves it!! He picks it up for me to just put the bear backpack part on him to wear in the house!! He seems to like it when we go shopping, because he walks right next to me now and holdds my hand all on his own. Without the bear buddy though, forget it, he won't hold my hand and starts planning his escape.
Thanks to everyone who responded. I appreciate your feedback on the product.

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K.T.

answers from Portland on

We have an Elmo harness and we do use it. My daughter is a wild child and runs off for fun, ugh. We got it in the first place for a vacation we were taking. All I needed was her bolting in an airport at a layover or worse yet, on the cruise ship! Since then we have used it when she is not listening well and does not want the stroller. It is great for short trips however she will noodle, where she just drops to her knees and won't walk. So we have just gotten an umbrella stroller for when she is like that. If we go to the mall or anything we take the stroller, the big one, as that is just asking for disaster!
HTH
K.

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W.D.

answers from Boston on

I got mine at Walmart - much cheaper. I have used it a couple times.. I feel awful, but it's a necessity for safety in some areas. I used a wrist leash with my daughter at Disney and got barked at - so you need to have a tough skin when you use it. People will look at you funny and make comments. Be ready for that.

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K.D.

answers from Providence on

I don't have that one, but I use the First Years harness & the one with Elmo on it, my son loves it and actually requests it, I like these particular harness because you can just unclip the leash and strap them in the carseat without having to take the thing off. When we went on vacation to Sesame Place everyone asked where I got them. I think they are great since I have a 4 month old now too, makes life easier and an extra hand.

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H.N.

answers from Boston on

Good Morning!
I am also a 23 year old mother of 13 month old and 25 month old boys. You can purchase the eddie bauer bear off amazon or ebay for about $9.99 plus shipping. You can also get them at walmart but they are not quite as cute or large. I was raised in a very strict religious family and so I haven't been able to use them much myself (to much drama involved) but I think it is fine as long as you use them in good taste. Teach your child to listen even while he has it on. Give him a chance to respond to where you ask him to go before letting him know he has to, That sort of thing. I think the only problem with them is that it is to easy to just direct them with the harness and not teach them while we are doing it. They are a wonderful safety precaution for active toddlers that want to get out and explore though. I would recommend them over a lot of other types of restraints (strollers,backcarriers,ect...) Well I need to quit rambling and get my house cleaned. Good Luck!

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K.V.

answers from Boston on

I had a one that went around my daughters wrist and the other end went around mine. (foound it at the dollar store) It gave her enough length to run or walk but I always knew where she was. You might try babies "r" us. Also check websites that sell children's clothes and toys.

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B.J.

answers from Providence on

I have seen kids with them and some parents swear by them. I hated the stroller thing also till I got a smaller umbrella one that folded to almost nothing. I would try that first. I am being truth full when I say kids look strange when parents use them. I was joking with my Hubby one day when my 3 yr old was little she walked at 9 half months and was in to everything. He said if I used it he would be angry. I went online and purchased a smaller stroller by Jeep that was big enough to fit her growing legs and I still today use it. lots of luck kindly B.

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L.T.

answers from Providence on

I haven't heard about the eddie bauer and I am surprised because I have all eddie bauer products. I bought mine at walmart for $9 and It's a monkey. They do have a dog too. I absolutely LOVE IT and would recommend them to anyone. It's better than the ones that look like a leash to me.

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H.R.

answers from Boston on

I use the generic one from WalMart (they have a dog and a monkey). They are AWESOME!! I would be lost without them with my two little "monkies". The only thing I had to do was reinforce the straps at one point by sewing them a little tighter...but they have serve my two boys very well. Well worth the money both quality wise and visually too. I never really wanted to get a harness for my oldest until I saw the ones that look like a backpack...now I dont look like I am taking my sons for a walk!!

SOrry for the rambling.... I am trying to keep chaos from reigning between my 19 month and 3 year old... never mind keeping my house standing!!!!

Best of luck.

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S.P.

answers from Boston on

HI!

I have two very active daughters who also like to run and play. The oldest can hold my hand, btu the younger likes to run and then her older sister runs after her.
So i have one of the harnesses for each of them. They look like little back packs and the girls love them. They don't love it when they can only go so far from me, but when I explain it to them they are ok with it.

I'd say they work well for the little ones. They don' hurt them b/c the straps are very soft! and it's a book bag with two straps, one on the chest and one across the belly. However, the stap you hold is connected to the back pack. And of course the strap comes off for a cute back pack!

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D.S.

answers from Boston on

Hi M.! I used a harness on my first daughter when she was about 2 years old. It was a generic one from WalMart or Target. It worked great. But, as one other mother mentioned, you will get stared at. For some reason a lot of people find these cruel, or something. But, at least you know where your kid is!!
Good luck!
D.

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K.P.

answers from Portland on

Yes I had one for my daughter when she was about your son's age...it was awesome

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K.B.

answers from Boston on

I used the monkey one from walmart, that was only $10 and it worked great. The reason I chose to use it, is that my daughter was frequently ecaping my hand to run away in parking lots, dangerous! And we moved to CT were the drivers were absolutely terrible, and I cannot carry her because of a back injury. My f-i-l had a fit when he saw us practicing with it, to get her used to it, but I used it so rarely, and only when absolutely necessary for her safety. Also, I agree that the important thing is teaching them to stay safe, but without completely frightening them either. I think it's a decent choice in certain situations. My daughter is now 3 1/3 and hasn't worn it since last summer, but recently found it, and wanted to wear the backpack part around all day. She thinks of it affectionately! And now she can use it as a backpack for little things when we go on walks or whatever... even for dress-up. Good luck.

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T.K.

answers from Boston on

Hello I have the Brown Monkey back pack It staps on so simple and your little one can even put a small Toy in it for when he is ready to sit and rest....I got my Money one at Wal Mart for just $10.00 was the best $10.00 i ever spent he is 15 Months old and loves to run off and do every thing like a Big boy this allows me to keep him close yet let him feel free and they are so cute..I never liked them before they always seemed so animal like But the new styles are so cute and simple....I still worry he may break the clip so im still watch full but over all I LOVE it and so does he..Good Luck and never worry about what others may say or think its what you feel Keeps your child safe...

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S.C.

answers from Providence on

Hi M.:
I don't have a harness for my son but you also put that you would like to meet mommy's your age Well guess what I am a 23 year old mother of a son who will be 2 in April. I have another baby due in June and will be 24 in July. Just a little about myself.

As far as the Harness goes I have never tried one but I really don't like them to me it just seems like the parent has no control over the child. Sorry :(

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