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Working Moms
jf198400
member
Swim Vest Recommendations?
jf198400
member
in Working Moms
DD is 2.5 yrs old and has been taking swim classes. The past 2 summers she was either in one of those baby floats or else we just held her. She is ready for some type of swim vest to be more independent. I'm looking for recommendations on what type to buy.
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Re: Swim Vest Recommendations?
Honestly, I would skip the vest and go with a "bubble" like this: https://www.amazon.com/Water-Gear-Float-4-Color-Split/dp/B0002HRAZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370358910&sr=8-1&keywords=swim+bubble.
Every vest that we tried was way too restrictive in terms of allowing him to learn how to swim. The above is something similar to what he uses in his lessons and it has worked out really great for us.
DS is the same age - we just tried out a Puddle Jumper last weekend and loved it. In the pool it's great! The only problem is he can't practice real swimming so we made sure to spend some time without it on.
ETA - I stand corrected
ours was a hand-me-down from my nephew and they just said not to use it for a boat (and they have a boat so I figured they knew)
puddle jumper's are coast guard approved, but that doesn't mean they are great at learning how to swim. LO has this and it works great, doesn't lift the chin up and you can remove the foam at your own pace
https://www.splashabout.com/en/our-products/childrens-swimming/floatation-aids/float-suit/
I also vote for puddle jumpers - the only thing my girls don't fuss about.
what do they use in her swim class? Are you looking for her to be more independent, or practice swimming?
My youngest loves the puddle jumper, we use it at my mom's pool (he can kick his legs and move around, and it keeps his head out of the water) BUT it's not teaching him to swim.
Our 4 older kids are in swim lessons and they feel very strongly about not using any type of floatation devices when they are "practicing swimming". Part of the teachings are to teach the kids that they are NOT allowed in the water without an adult in the water, and they need to be "invited" into the water. So the best thing to do is hang out by the stairs and have them practice putting their head in the water and kicking to you. - This is not to say "never us a PFD" but they prefer that you use a type 1 or 2 PFD if you are going to use a floatation device because they are not swimming aides.
Our town pool only allows type 1 and 2 PFD's so puddle jumpers are not allowed.
This type of PFD will keep her afloat but will roll your child onto her back (I'm assuming that's not what you want)
https://www.amazon.com/ONeill-nylon-infant-Pacific-black/dp/B005UNRCSA/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370367835&sr=1-1&keywords=infant+pfd
This type of PFD will not turn her on her back, but she has to "tread water" to stay upright
https://www.amazon.com/Stearns-Childs-Classic-Boating-Vest/dp/B000NV9J08/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370367953&sr=1-1&keywords=child+pfd