My son’s latest trick is walking. He can’t walk on his own—he needs us to help him—but when he starts going, he does not want to stop. He only started taking assisted steps last week, but already he wants to go faster and faster. At first we were stoked about this new trick of his, but now we need to hire a masseuse because all the bending over is killing our backs.

My girls were quick walkers, both walking unassisted at nine months. I have a feeling that my son will not be as quick as they were, though, and I am going to need to find a solution that will allow him to motor around like he wants to, but that will also allow my husband and me not become crippled in the process.

A friend of mine posted on her blog a year or two ago about Walking Wings. I thought then that it was the most hilarious-looking thing I’d ever seen. But I get it now. Although I’m not in a hurry for him to walk, I know he will not wait for me to be ready, and this may be just the solution that we need.

According to their website, “Walking Wings is a unique padded support vest that securely fastens around the chest of the baby and has two adjustable, detachable straps for parents to hold while baby attempts those first steps.” Walking Wings allows your child to walk hands-free and is pediatrician-recommended for babies learning to walk. The straps detach so that you can leave the harness on the baby and avoid taking the “wings” on and off. The straps also adjust to the height of the parent, and the whole thing is machine washable.

Walking Wings is recommended for babies who are six months and older, who are clearly motivated and interested in walking. The vest fits 19- to 26-inch chest circumference and comes in pink and blue.

Walking Wings, $25, are available online and in stores across Canada.

Jen Wilson is a married mother of three super-awesome children—two girls and a boy—who range in age from 0-10. She enjoys photography, organizing, reading, TV, and sarcasm. She drinks her coffee black and dreams of one day owning a dishwasher. You can also find her on her blog, Hey Mrs. Wilson, where she has been writing about life in Saskatchewan since 2004.