There are many literary references to leading strings by 18th Century authors. The 19th Century Leading strings were less common after the early 19th Century, even as adornment. Some mothers did use them, but the practice was generally criticised. One author suggests that the pratical attributes of leading string may have been most common amomg less affluent mothers without servants. Commentators into the late 19th Century were still condeming leading strings, suggesting their continued use.
Many litterary references sugest their continued use.
The continued use of leading strings was not limited to Europe. Purpose Leading strings were considered to be practical devices for assisting younger children, especially children who were just learning to walk. They were also practical for controlling rambunctious children for whom they were used rather as a lease. Practices and conventions varied for boys and girls. Boys were generally breeched at about 5 years of age, some times latter.