Pool Float/Floaties for almost 2 year old

cbm3228 · June 2013

Hi All! I am trying to figure out what the best type of float or floaties for my almost 2 year old son. Last summer was easy because I put him in one of those rafts, but I am afraid they will be too small this year. However, I feel like floaties or something like that might be too "old" for him.

What did/do you all use?

J&NL · June 2013

I bought two different kinds. The puddle jumper (has a float around the chest and arms) and the one that only has one around the chest and back. Get the puddle jumper! It is so much better than the ones that just go around the chest. I had the other one for about a week until DD slipped off the stairs and got stuck on her back. She couldn't get back up and it freaked me out because what if she had landed on her front? So I immediately went to the store and bought the puddle jumper and so far, that thing has been wonderful. She has since slipped off the stairs again (clumsy) and it kept her head above the water the entire time.

J&NL · June 2013

https://www.swimoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=46541&gclid=CLTts_73yrcCFehr7AodcCUArw

This is the puddle jumper. It is considered an approved life jacket as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Princess-Deluxe-Swim-Shorty/dp/B00769TIVA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_t_3

This is the one I bought her the first time. It has a float on the chest and the back but nothing on the arms. It's not very stable and if she got stuck on her back then she was basically SOL. The puddle jumper kept her upright the entire time.

(sorry it's not clicky)

cbm3228 · June 2013

Thanks so much! My coworker was just telling me about the puddle jumper too. He is on the smaller side (27ish) pounds so I was afraid it would be too big for him, but it looks like it has an adjustable strap in the back.

MrsWindyCity · June 2013

We used a puddle jumper last year when DS was right around 27 lbs. and it worked fine.

pitterpatter129 · June 2013

cbm3228:
Thanks so much! My coworker was just telling me about the puddle jumper too. He is on the smaller side (27ish) pounds so I was afraid it would be too big for him, but it looks like it has an adjustable strap in the back.

It might work. We got one last summer for DS and he was definitely too small for it. Because he was so little, it pulled him forward on his tummy with his face held down in the water...so no good. I'm hoping he'll weigh enough this summer (about 27 lbs also.) I'd have a back-up plan just in case though. A life jacket is always an option.

lawry13 · June 2013

DD got one two years ago and was maybe 24 lbs. it worked great. Love the puddle jumper!

Angela814 · June 2013

We use puddle jumpers, and they are coast guard approved life jackets. At 2 yo, they tended to flip DD2 onto her back so she couldn't necessarily swim "independently." Since I was in the pool with her anyway, I just held onto the strap to keep her forward a little more. She was 30.8 lbs at 2 years. I think the tipping back may have been an age thing more than weight. My BFF's 2.5 year old son is maybe 25 lbs, and he can swim in one.

hmontty · June 2013

Sorry, but the question needs to be asked: why floaties at all? How about swim lessons instead?

My daughter took mommy and me swimming from 6 to 18 months, and has been in private lessons from 18 months...and she is now able to float on her back alone, with confidence. Never used a flotation device once in her life.

Angela814 · June 2013

hmontty:
Sorry, but the question needs to be asked: why floaties at all? How about swim lessons instead?My daughter took mommy and me swimming from 6 to 18 months, and has been in private lessons from 18 months...and she is now able to float on her back alone, with confidence. Never used a flotation device once in her life.nbsp;

Because all kids are different. We've done swimming lessons for a year and a half with DD2, and she's no where close to being able to float or swim. Some kids are just more comfortable in the water than others.

Pockety · June 2013

DS has been using small water wings for months. He wore them last summer when he was 1, walking around the kiddie pool, because they helped when he'd fall down. At 18 months, he was paddling around my parents' pool when we went to visit. Now he's almost 2, and will be using them all summer at any pools that permit them. And hopefully learning to swim without them, because most pools by us require either no floatation devices, or ones that are Coast Guard approved, like a real life vest. They don't allow any of the floats mentioned in this post.

Before you spend a bunch of money, check with the pool you use and make sure they allow it!

BelhurstBride · June 2013

We had a puddle jumper for DD but she was way too small for it last year. They are a Coast Guard approved personal floation device, but have a minimum weight of 30 pounds.

We ended up buying one of those suits with the tube attached.

Like this: https://www.amazon.com/International-Leisure-NT192-Swimline-Swim-Tee/dp/B000F71QHY/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370704528&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=tuve+suit

This year she fits the puddle jumper.

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Pool Float/Floaties for almost 2 year old

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