Sorry for my lack of experience here...I'm sure the answers to come will probably be more helpful...but I can't help giving two cents.

The first thing I thought of is my dog's collar. (really, the four legged kind) The rule with the collar is you need to be able to fit two fingers underneath it. That way it does not irritate and as he grows, his skin won't grow over it (yuck, and the last part doesn't apply) but...you'd still be secure but not losing feeling.