Rec your swim vest or floaty device

nittanyllama · June 2013

Looking for something for G to use in the pool this year. He doesn't really like to sit in the baby floaty seat from last year and since he's running around I'd rather find something he can wear. I saw the Puddle Jumper vest has good reviews but it says for 30 to 50 pounds and Gavin is only 25. The Swimways sweaters and vests are on Zulily today. I was more so looking at the swim sweater with the tube in it? Or should I just get him some arm bands? Other recs?

Edited title

cantalopes24 · June 2013

Whatever you get I would try to make sure it's coast guard approved. A lot of the pools we go to (which most aren't an issue because no diapers in the big pool) won't let them use any swim device that isn't coast guard approved.

LatteLady5 · June 2013

I have yet to find anything that N will fit into. She hasn't hit the 20lb mark yet so I have the feeling DH and I will just end up passing her back and forth.

Also, don't ask this on SAHM because flotation devices are only for lazy parents and they just inhibit children from ever learning to swim.

nittanyllama · June 2013

LatteLady5:
I have yet to find anything that N will fit into. She hasn't hit the 20lb mark yet so I have the feeling DH and I will just end up passing her back and forth.
Also, don't ask this on SAHM because flotation devices are only for lazy parents and they just inhibit children from ever learning to swim.

Wow, really?

I'm also not saying that I plan to let him run around without me nearby, I will always be with him. I just want to get something he can wear as sort of a back up, or to start floating with supervision. I have read the Puddle Jumper is coast guard approved.

pennysuedog · June 2013

LatteLady5:
I have yet to find anything that N will fit into. She hasn't hit the 20lb mark yet so I have the feeling DH and I will just end up passing her back and forth.
Also, don't ask this on SAHM because flotation devices are only for lazy parents and they just inhibit children from ever learning to swim.

Lazy parents just don't take their kids anywhere. I'm surprised my kid learned how to swim then.

We take a ski boat out into the middle of a lake and swim. There is no way I'd do that without life vests on my kids. What inhibits most kids from learning to swim is fear. Instilling confidence with floatation devices works! (ex-swim instructor)

LatteLady5 · June 2013

pennysuedog:
LatteLady5:
I have yet to find anything that N will fit into. She hasn't hit the 20lb mark yet so I have the feeling DH and I will just end up passing her back and forth.
Also, don't ask this on SAHM because flotation devices are only for lazy parents and they just inhibit children from ever learning to swim.

Lazy parents just don't take their kids anywhere. I'm surprised my kid learned how to swim then.
We take a ski boat out into the middle of a lake and swim. There is no way I'd do that without life vests on my kids. What inhibits most kids from learning to swim is fear. Instilling confidence with floatation devices works! (ex-swim instructor)

To clarify, this is not my opinion, just something that was discussed the other day on SAHM. I promise I don't think you guys are lazy. Wink

I don't think there is anything wrong with floaties. I would get N some if I could find something that fit her. She's just so itty bitty.

nittanyllama · June 2013

LatteLady5:
pennysuedog:
LatteLady5:
I have yet to find anything that N will fit into. She hasn't hit the 20lb mark yet so I have the feeling DH and I will just end up passing her back and forth.
Also, don't ask this on SAHM because flotation devices are only for lazy parents and they just inhibit children from ever learning to swim.

Lazy parents just don't take their kids anywhere. I'm surprised my kid learned how to swim then.
We take a ski boat out into the middle of a lake and swim. There is no way I'd do that without life vests on my kids. What inhibits most kids from learning to swim is fear. Instilling confidence with floatation devices works! (ex-swim instructor)

To clarify, this is not my opinion, just something that was discussed the other day on SAHM. I promise I don't think you guys are lazy.
I don't think there is anything wrong with floaties. I would get N some if I could find something that fit her. She's just so itty bitty.

Yeah, I know you weren't saying anything. It just never ceases to amaze me the things that are controversial on TB but not in real life. I XP'ed on toddlers and found people not in favor :-P

LatteLady5 · June 2013

NittanyMama:
It just never ceases to amaze me the things that are controversial on TB but not in real life.

This is the truth!

mamaZbo · June 2013

We used a speedo swimvest/life jacket that I got at the consignment store this past weekend while we were camping. I was not very impressed. When my over confident toddler went running into the water (I was right there) and tripped, she ended up face down in the water. When DH and I took her deeper and lightly held her to see if she would float, it did not keep her head above the water. I think if she had done any sort of "swimming" it would have been fine, but just bobbing in the water it did not do much.

babes12 · June 2013

i ordered DD a swim bubble from amazon. Basically they're the same as what the YMCA's use. It has 4 removable floaties on the back so when they learn how to swim better and better you can remove floats. DD will use this most and of course we'll be w/ her at all times. We only go to my mom's house for swimming.

jonnygurl76 · June 2013

I am waiting for our puddle jumpers to get here. We just put in a pool and I have a lot of mom friends that said they loved them. I didn't want to get the vest type because it ends up around their ears and neck.

I guess my friends are all lazy? Oh well, add me to the list...

nittanyllama · June 2013

jonnygurl76:
I am waiting for our puddle jumpers to get here. We just put in a pool and I have a lot of mom friends that said they loved them. I didn't want to get the vest type because it ends up around their ears and neck.

I guess my friends are all lazy? Oh well, add me to the list...

How big is your little guy now? Let me know if you like the Puddle Jumper or how they fit!

PS I miss seeing you around JG

Elsa1984 · June 2013

I find what the SAHM say about floaties is funny. Our swim instructor actually encourages the use of them. We have a neoprene infant life jacket for Gator for the boat. A huge issue is they are made to flip infants on their backs with their heads on the pillow. Awesome for if they fall in...horrible for if they are wanting to actually swim. Gator can doggie paddle. Our instructor has been having her work 15min in her life jacket and 15min without, so she gets the feel for what she can and can't do without her life jacket. Four months in, and she still cannot get herself upright in her life jacket.

She now has one of the vests pictured below, and loves it. She is able to balance herself upright and use her arms and legs with no problem. If we are in the boat she will still have to use her life jacket, but if she is out in the water swimming, we are going to let her wear her swim training vest.

Edited to add: we got our swim training vest from Target

Mrs. Mo · June 2013

DD used a Puddle Jumper both last year & this year (we found a small one last year). I (& she) love it because of how she HATES to get her face & hair wet. The part that goes in the front keeps her head (& hair) out of the water.

pennysuedog · June 2013

Oh Latte, I know that wasn't your stance it just made me stabby!

Stewartandmaura · June 2013

I'm glad you posted this! I'd never heard of Puddlejumpers before and I think that is worth trying out with E. She refuses to sit in the little baby boats too.

nittanyllama · June 2013

Stewartandmaura:
I'm glad you posted this! I'd never heard of Puddlejumpers before and I think that is worth trying out with E. She refuses to sit in the little baby boats too.

I ordered the toucan puddle jumper. The reviews sound like it fits a kid a little under 30 pounds. Ill probably try it at my moms pool next week!

FabulousMrs.P · June 2013

We have a life jacket for when she is on the boat (although that won't be happening this year thanks to hurricane sandy.) It doesn't work well at the pool though as it floats her on her back and she wants to swim. DD also doesn't like the pool floats. She is a little under 21 lbs and I haven't been able to find anything else that might help her to swim...she is too tiny! Everything seems to be for 30lbs.

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