Anyone use puddle jumpers?

LilCMom · June 2012

We just bought puddle jumpers for DS and DD to use when we take our boat out and at the pool. I think they'll be perfect for DD, who is 2 1/2, but a little nervous about DS. Anyone else use them?

OhSewCrafty · June 2012

I've heard really great things about them, but haven't tried them with C yet.

lrn327 · June 2012

Not yet, but going to pick one up during my lunch hour today. I don't know how I'd feel about using them for boating as I'd prefer a traditional life jacket as I know my DS will not fit the weight suggestion yet but for swimming I'm okay with it. He's never out of our arm's reach (in our arms right now) so I feel a bit more relaxed about the pool.

Mommytott · June 2012

Dylan doesn't weigh enough yet to use one but we have one for DD and she/we love it

OhSewCrafty · June 2012

lrn327:
Not yet, but going to pick one up during my lunch hour today. I don't know how I'd feel about using them for boating as I'd prefer a traditional life jacket as I know my DS will not fit the weight suggestion yet but for swimming I'm okay with it. He's never out of our arm's reach (in our arms right now) so I feel a bit more relaxed about the pool.

Actually, thinking of it, I believe if you're on a boat you're required to have a traditional life jacket with a head rest and handle. Check with the coast guard regulations for tiny swimmers.

Five Months to Plan · June 2012

We have one. It fits her well in the smallest setting( she is 25 lbs and 33 inches). I still obviously do not let go of her when she is in the water. I will sometimes hold her hands though and let her try and kick, but the puddle jumper holder her above the water. It actually makes it easier to hold onto her form some reason though. She does not mind it, and I like the extra safety. I would not use it on a boat, but we just use it in the pool.

mrslucid · June 2012

I bought one for DD. She is tiny so I have to have it on the smallest setting as well. She loves it though, lets her swim a little bit in the water by herself. Like Five Months thought, I only would use it in the pool.

TripMomma · June 2012

We have them for the triplets, need to get Jericho one too. The trio didn't get the hang of them until this year (trusting them, and not feeling like they need to cling to us,) they got them when they were 2.

dee12807 · June 2012

This. I believe it's 30 lbs for a life vest without a head support. I don't think a puddle jumper meets the requirements at any age or weight though. This is the vest we use for Thor since he's about 25 lbs.

. Eta: i meant to add this to the comment above about coast guard requirements...

pitterpatter129 · June 2012

Nate doesn't weigh enough and needs me to hold him up to keep from drowning in it. I would go a traditional life jacket for a boat.

heyitsme · June 2012

We have one for DS that we've used a handful of times, but he's barrel-chested and on the bigger side, and we're having a hard time getting it around his chest on the loosest setting. I do like it, though.

Smores730 · June 2012

I think the weight requirement is extremely misleading. This is our 3rd summer using one and my DD, almost 4, is still not 30 pounds. Do I think she's unsafe in it? No way. I think the length of the child factors in too. When they're not that tall, they seem to be forced onto their backs accidentally at times because they're not long enough to offset all the head weight. I would not use it for a life jacket at this age, but I would at 2.5.

MrsDe2008 · June 2012

I never heard of them before and just googled them. They are so cute! I think they would be ok for swimming, but not safe enough for a boat. I would definitely do a life preserver on the boat.

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