Toddlers in the pool

mrsmikey

So we're getting a membership to the pool this summer (with jenn&tim and AT), and I'm wondering if I should take anything for Eli.  They have a baby pool, which I'm assuming we'll be spending most of our time in, but I'm sure we'll be in the big pool some too.  He had a float last year, one he sat in and it had a shade.  I'm not sure that he'd want to use that this year.  Is he too young for water wings?  In the baby pool I probably won't have him in anything. 

marryingacoach

Last summer Gbear was 18months old and he still used the float with the shade on it.  He preferred to be in the baby pool where he didn't have to be in the floaty- more independence. I'm not sure what we are going to do this summer. Tons of help, huh?

mrsmikey

marryingacoach:

Last summer Gbear was 18months old and he still used the float with the shade on it.  He preferred to be in the baby pool where he didn't have to be in the floaty- more independence. I'm not sure what we are going to do this summer. Tons of help, huh?

Gee, thanks.  JK!  I'm thinking the same thing though, that he won't like being confined to the float.  That's why I was thinking water wings.  Of course I'd be there right with him, I just don't want to have to hold him.  And I've heard those bathing suits with the floats built in aren't safe.

sms297

I think you will have to see how he is around the pool. Maybe he will still like the float or maybe he will be a little dare devil and you will need those water wings. I would get him some kind of water shoes or those aqua socks... pool decks can be pretty hot on his little feet. Plus they might help he stand in the baby pool. Not sure what size shoe he wears but Target has some in the section where they have life jackets.

mrsmikey

I'll have to look at the shoes, we were going to get him some anyway for the beach.  He's a 3 now, so we'll probably get him a 4 for this summer. 

sms297

The smallest ones they had were a 5... dd is a 4 that's how I know. Let me know where you find some.

mrsmikey

sms297:

The smallest ones they had were a 5... dd is a 4 that's how I know. Let me know where you find some.

iplay has them in 4s.  www.bambinomountain.com is where I got his iplay trunks last year. 

DaBride

I would definitely wait and see if you need to get him anything for the pool. In Feb we joined the Y and Allie will have nothing to do with floats. She would rather be in the kiddy pool where she can walk/stand on her own or with us in the deep end usually jumping off the edge into our arms.

uncharch7

mrsmikey:

Gee, thanks.  JK!  I'm thinking the same thing though, that he won't like being confined to the float.  That's why I was thinking water wings.  Of course I'd be there right with him, I just don't want to have to hold him.  And I've heard those bathing suits with the floats built in aren't safe.

IMO the suits are way safer than the water wings; even at a young age they teach balance and what to do in an "emergency" (turning over on their backs).  Water wings restrict movement too much in chest deep water, so if they were to fall and freak out, like most kids do when they don't like putting their face in, they get disoriented and have a hard time standing up.  With the suits, the kicking and arm movements will turn them over.