Once a newly walking toddler is steady on his feet, he wants to walk as much as he can. But, young children don’t know the boundaries that are necessary for their own safety. A child can be around the end cap in a department store in the time that it takes you to read the ingredients on a bottle of sunscreen. Likewise, walking for fun and exercise often leaves toddler legs tired and in need of rest long before the parents are ready to call it a day. Luckily, there are several options for safety and convenience when shopping, walking or hiking with toddlers.
Strollers Help with Toddler Safety
When you are focused on shopping and need your hands free, it’s helpful to keep a young child safe in a stroller.
A stroller can be convenient for a few reasons. Some toddlers will happily ride in a stroller in public. They enjoy watching the scenery and will be content to play with a small toy or have a snack as they ride. A stroller gives you a place to store the diaper bag, toys and snacks. When hiking, jogging strollers are easier to use over gravel or other types of terrain that conventional strollers can not handle.
There are some drawbacks to stroller use. Packing a stroller to go everywhere can be cumbersome for parents. Some strollers are heavy and difficult to push. Small, umbrella strollers do not have storage space and can be hard to steer over different terrains.
Keep Toddlers Close in Public with Babywearing
Some toddlers don’t enjoy riding in a stroller. They may be overwhelmed by the world around them or prefer to snuggle with mom or dad. Babywearing is a good choice for toddlers who are already used to being worn in a wrap close to a parent.
Parents should consider different babywearing options than what they used when their child was an infant. It’s sometimes necessary to change carriers to accommodate a bigger child. Carriers that position a baby in the center of the parent’s body, whether in the back or the front, are more comfortable and better for back health, especially for long-term carrying.
An Asian baby carrier, like a Mei Tai, is soft and comfortable for both the toddler and the parent. A Mei Tai is a versatile baby carrier. It can be used to position the child on the back, facing toward the parent on the front or facing out on the front. Cloth baby carriers folds easily and can be stored in a diaper bag when not in use.
Frame backpack carriers are a good choice for older toddlers. They distribute the child’s weight evenly over the parent’s back. Many frame backpack carriers have extra pockets for storing snacks, toys and other essentials.
The Toddler Harness Protects Children who Run Away in Public
The toddler harness is controversial, but for parents who have a toddler that runs away often, it makes sense. The child is still able to walk and exercise, but he’s safely tethered to a parent.
A child with a lot of energy, who doesn’t like to be confined to a stroller or a baby carrier, will enjoy being able to move about while wearing a toddler harness. Parents can go out in public without fear for their child’s safety.
Parents need some resources to keep active toddlers safe and comfortable during outings. Strollers, baby carriers and toddler harnesses keep a young child safe and secure in stores and on hiking trails.
