As for not covering up when nursing in public, cover up. No one wants to see that. I have a very hungry 3 week old who nurses and I always carry around a blanket. Its just respectful.

susie

But I’m also very anti nursing cover. No need to cover up, you can’t see anything anyway!

The harness … I’m more divided about. I dislike the aesthetic for reasons similar to the ones you’ve named, but can see their usefulness in particularly crowded situations where you may not always have a youngling willing to hold your hand whilst they explore. I am probably going to purchase one for our trip through both San Diego and Fort Worth airports simply because I know he will not put up with being held the entire time and he doesn’t really do hand-holding – and I am just not willing to trust that things will just be all right in two of the nation’s busiest airports at Christmastime.

I used to think I’d never be someone who used a harness. But then I had kids Mine are excitable, active, curious kids and when they refuse to ride happily in the stroller or stay by me holding my hand, I use the harness. I bought one that looks like a little backpack instead of the ugly “child-restraining-device-looks-like-a-dog-harness” ones. My girls both loved wearing it (I bought a unicorn one) and everyone I have ever encountered loves it and thinks my girls look so cute.

I’ve never used a harness, I don’t really want to, but I know some children whose mothers were at their wits ends. We’re talking children who would BOLT from inside a store out into the middle of a four lane high way and sit in the median laughing at their mom. I’m all for exploring, and hand holding, and the vast majority of the time appropriate adult supervision is all that’s required.

For my friends who had kids who bolted onto highways, who would run away as fast as possible, going for blocks across major thoroughfares, or try to get down to a high-speed rail line? Harnesses seemed like the only way.

About the harnesses – My daughter’s just started walking, so we’re not at that stage yet, but I’ve used them with my niece and nephew. I’ve taken them to amusement parks both with and without them, and with was much more pleasant for all of us.

I probably won’t use one in, say, the grocery store, where she can walk along near me, but in a crowded place, like an amusement park, festival, etc, where being momentarily separated can get you pretty lost, I would definitely use it.

My niece, now 22, remembers wearing the harness as a kid and says that she much preferred it, because she had more freedom and it was much more comfortable than holding hands.