Flotation device for 1 year old

gatchison

Hi Ladies- DS just turned one last week. We've never been in a pool with him besides his little baby pool. A neighbor just offered us their pool for a week while they are out of town and we feel like we should take advantage of this great offer. But I have no idea what the best safety device is for him and I'd like to run to the store today to get something so we can start using it. I've heard about puddle jumpers but when I just looked online it looks like they have to be 30 lbs and DS is only 21.5 lbs. Any recommendations on what works best for this age? Arm floats, rings to sit in, life jackets? Thanks!

jlpev

DS loves his puddle jumper. He's 19 months old but started using it at 16 months old at about 25 lbs.

JulesDiane

I think at 1, you should probably just hold him the whole time. Flotation devices can give a false sense of security.

kndeckar

We have this for DD who is 15 months.

https://www.amazon.com/Sizzlin-Cool-Float-Detachable-Canopy/dp/B004UBKA3W

We got it at Walmart because it was the only thing for babies. It says 6 mo +. She is pretty squirmy though, so I don't let her float too far away from me.

ghcc

JulesDiane:

I think at 1, you should probably just hold him the whole time. Flotation devices can give a false sense of security.

 

I would agree with this. We live at the beach and are in the water a ton. My 1 year old will stay in a float like PP mentioned for about 1 minute...but I have to be right there with her or she will somehow wiggle her way out. It's a lot less stressful if you just hold them.

I will say that once they are older, the Puddle Jumper is awesome. My oldest daughter (4) has used one for the last 2 years and we love it!

Deblondie1

kndeckar:

We have this for DD who is 15 months.

https://www.amazon.com/Sizzlin-Cool-Float-Detachable-Canopy/dp/B004UBKA3W

We got it at Walmart because it was the only thing for babies. It says 6 mo +. She is pretty squirmy though, so I don't let her float too far away from me.

We use something similar for DD when we go to the river. We love it! It doesn't give me a false sense of security because I am literally standing next to her with my hand on it, playing with her the entire time. She has a great time in it and loves to kick her little feet in the water. 

cas3ymari3

My DS is 21 months old and has a puddle jumper and hates it. So I just hold him or put him in the floatey thing he used last summer. This is it and we love it because it doesnt tip and is very comfy for him

https://www.target.com/p/swimways-baby-spring-float/-/A-11128054

p1nklemonade

we use a puddle jumper but are never more than af foot away from her at all times.

amberpro

When we're in the pool, I usually just hold him.  We have a baby spring float that we use sometimes, too (we got ours at Walmart) :  https://www.swimoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=7927&Click=310393&gclid=CP3A3-adxLECFclgTAod6n0A2w

We have a lifejacket for him but only use it in the lake.  

He has used a puddle jumper before at swimming lessons, but it's not an effective flotation device at this age.   They had us put him in it to encourage them to kick to us, but it didn't really keep his head out of the water consistently.  

 

Five Months to Plan

Deblondie1:

kndeckar:

We have this for DD who is 15 months.

https://www.amazon.com/Sizzlin-Cool-Float-Detachable-Canopy/dp/B004UBKA3W

We got it at Walmart because it was the only thing for babies. It says 6 mo +. She is pretty squirmy though, so I don't let her float too far away from me.

We use something similar for DD when we go to the river. We love it! It doesn't give me a false sense of security because I am literally standing next to her with my hand on it, playing with her the entire time. She has a great time in it and loves to kick her little feet in the water. 

We had something like this too when DD was younger. At 19 months she is now good with a puddle jumper, but we still do not let go of her. 

JenniCollins

Chloe has been using a puddle jumper all summer, she was 23 pounds when she started. She loves it, she gets in the pool by herself with it and swims around like crazy. She hates any ring that she has to sit in. Good luck finding what he enjoys best and have fun at the pool.

josh&britt02172013

Our little one loves his puddle jumper also!  it says 30 - 50 pounds DS is about 25 pounds. It took him some getting use to but now if he wants to go swimming he will bring me his float and I can put in on him and he will go get in the pool.  we recommend It!  the only thing you have to do is make sure he understands he has to hold his head up!  DS cousin who is 5 weeks older did not do so well with is yet he is hardly in a pool, unless he comes over to our house!  We have even started putting DS though swim classes OUR pool in NOT gated!  

Leinistar

cas3ymari3:

My DS is 21 months old and has a puddle jumper and hates it. So I just hold him or put him in the floatey thing he used last summer. This is it and we love it because it doesnt tip and is very comfy for him

https://www.target.com/p/swimways-baby-spring-float/-/A-11128054

We have this for DS as well and although I like it, DS can easily manage to lean over far enough to tip himself into the water. Now that he's had more pool time, he doesn't like to be confined to anything and it just causes more stress trying to keep him in it.

Don't consider any type of floatation device a "safety device" for children as in reality, it probably gives you a false sense of security and makes swimming less safe than just holding your baby. You should always have a least one hand on a floatation device if your child is in one as they can (like mine) flip out in an instant.

swimiz500

We have this:  https://www.amazon.com/Intex-56580EP-Inflatable-Flower-Float/dp/B0013NM7IQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_t_6  It may be a little girly, but they have other ones by the same brand.

We love it. And I don't think it is a false sense of security. I know she can get out of it, tip over, whatever. I am always standing right with her. It is by no means a safety device, but it is great for fun.  Arm floats are a bad idea- they can slip off very easily. Water safety organizations do not recommend them at all. I don;t know of any real safety device that can be used by LOs this age, when I taught lessons and lifeguarded, the smallest lifejackets would not have fit them- basically, it means a responsible adult should be with LO at all times in the pool. But if you want a fun flotation device, have at it! DD loves hers!  

Angela814

JulesDiane:

I think at 1, you should probably just hold him the whole time. Flotation devices can give a false sense of security.

I agree.

We do swimming lessons with DD2, and I hold her for the lesson. She's about ready to get out of the water after 30 minutes anyway. She has a puddle jumper, but she's not a big fan at this point. Unless I'm holding the back strap, it tends to flip her backwards instead of keeping her in swimming position. I think she needs to be a little older to understand it more. (DD1 started using the puddle jumper at 3 years and could swim across the pool by herself in it.)