Brica By-My-Side Baby Safety Harness: How to Use It Right

Quick answer

Fit the Brica By-My-Side Baby Safety Harness so the straps sit snug but allow two fingers under the chest strap, then tighten the waist strap last. Check the buckles and adjust the shoulder straps before every trip, because a loose harness is the most common reason it feels uncomfortable or ineffective.

Before you start: what the harness is designed to do

The Brica By-My-Side Baby Safety Harness is a wearable harness with adjustable straps and a playful giraffe pattern. It is designed to keep your child close and secure in a range of settings, and the adjustable straps let you fine-tune the fit as your child grows or changes layers. It is not a car seat or a substitute for a properly installed car seat, and it is not a climbing or fall-protection device. Use it as a close-contact aid for walking, travel, and crowded places.

Step 1: Unbuckle and lay the harness flat

Open all buckles and lay the harness flat with the giraffe pattern facing up. Identify the shoulder straps, the chest strap, and the waist strap before putting it on your child. This matters because twisting a strap during dressing is the most common cause of an uneven fit later.

Step 2: Put it on like a backpack

Have your child slip their arms through the shoulder straps as if putting on a backpack. If your child is too young to cooperate, lay the harness on a flat surface, place your child on top, and bring the straps over their shoulders. A common mistake is rushing this step and leaving one shoulder strap twisted; smooth each strap flat against the body before fastening anything.

Step 3: Fasten the chest strap first

Connect the chest strap across the upper chest, not the neck. It should sit below the collarbone and above the bottom of the ribcage. Checkpoint: you should be able to slide two fingers flat under the chest strap. If you cannot, loosen it one notch; if you can fit a whole hand, tighten it.

Step 4: Tighten the waist strap last

Fasten the waist strap and pull it snug around the hips, not the soft part of the belly. Tightening the waist last keeps the chest strap from riding up when your child moves. A common mistake is overtightening the waist so the harness digs in when your child sits down. Have your child sit and stand once; if the waist strap bunches or gaps, adjust it before you leave.

Step 5: Adjust the shoulder straps for layers

If your child is wearing a coat or thick sweater, loosen the shoulder straps by one or two notches, then recheck the two-finger rule. Re-tighten them when you go back indoors. This prevents the harness from becoming too loose outside and too tight inside, which is a frequent source of complaints about any baby travel harness.

Step 6: Do a final safety check

Tug gently on each strap and buckle to confirm they are fully engaged. Check that no strap crosses the front of the neck and that the giraffe pattern is not twisted against the skin. If you are using the harness while walking, keep the lead strap short enough that your child cannot run into a street or trip over the slack.

Using the harness for travel and car seats

For airplane travel, the harness can help you keep a toddler close during boarding, deplaning, and walks down the aisle. It is not a replacement for the aircraft seat belt, and it is not approved as a car seat restraint. In a car, your child still needs an appropriate car seat installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use the harness for transitions, not for the ride itself.

Quick fit checklist

1. Chest strap check: Chest strap sits below the collarbone with room for two flat fingers. If you can fit a hand, tighten one notch.
2. Waist strap check: Waist strap is snug on the hips and does not bunch when your child sits. Loosen if it digs in or gaps.
3. Shoulder strap check: Shoulder straps lie flat with no twists and adjust for coats. Recheck after adding or removing layers.
4. Buckle and lead check: All buckles are fully clicked and the lead strap is short enough to prevent darting. Do this before every outing.

Product facts

• Brica® By-My-Side™ Baby Safety Harness, Giraffe: Brica By-My-Side Baby Safety Harness, Giraffe, with adjustable straps and a playful giraffe pattern. Adjustable straps let you refit the harness as your child grows or wears different layers, and the giraffe design can make it easier to get a toddler to wear it.