Pool vest/tube for 18 month old

Starfish+77 · May 2014

We have a swimming pool and DD will soon be 18 months. She has not yet had any swimming lessons. Any recommendations of a pool vest/jacket or float for her to use? I've seen those vests that have a tube around them but they say ages 2-4 years.

amie444 · May 2014

Get her in lessons as soon as possible. They can teach her the basics. And how to pull herself out of the pool. But the puddle jumper is what you are looking for

dufferoo · May 2014

The Swimways floatie always seems to be popular with toddlers at the pool: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Spring-Float-Canopy-Colors/dp/B00253T7R2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1400713532&sr=8-3&keywords=Swimways+spring+float+baby (Personally, my kid isn't crazy for any kind of flotation device, so I just end up holding him and swishing him around.)

*LrCg* · May 2014

We use the Sterns Puddle Jumpers. It says 30-50# but all my kids have started wearing it at 1 year old when they were only 20#. By way of design it would be impossible to get out of. It also helped teach them to swim at an earlier age.

kjsmith9 · May 2014

theresat858 said:
It's best to introduce your child to water without safety devices -- well supervised, of course. I'd start swimming lessons now.

This.

Angela814 · May 2014

*LrCg* said:
We use the Sterns Puddle Jumpers. It says 30-50# but all my kids have started wearing it at 1 year old when they were only 20#. By way of design it would be impossible to get out of. It also helped teach them to swim at an earlier age.

We've tried puddle jumpers before 2 years, but before about 25 lbs, they just flipped them onto their backs.

If you're right there with them, bubble belts can help them learn to move around the water. That's what we use during swim lessons at the Y. We bought one on amazon too.

=Lee=B · May 2014

If you own a pool I would be putting the focus on teaching water safety and how to swim. I would avoid having your child rely on a floaty of any sort if possible.

Any reason you have not had her in swimming lessons yet, especially if you own a pool? Our 14month old is about to start her 4th session of 8 swim lessons. She is comfortable sitting on the pool edge and diving in towards my husband. My husband was a life guard so he takes water safety pretty seriously. We intend to put in an in-ground pool in about 4-5years so have been working to ensure that she is fully comfortable and water smart long before then. I can't imagine owning a pool and not yet having done any lessons!!

Doubletrouble12 · May 2014

I'm glad you posted this, I was about to ask the same thing for my girls that are 19 months.

Starfish+77 · May 2014

I do intend to enroll her in swimming lessons but I was also asking for advice on a float/vest in the meantime. Appreciate the advice and suggestions.

LimaD · May 2014

jociejones said:

The Swimways floatie always seems to be popular with toddlers at the pool: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Spring-Float-Canopy-Colors/dp/B00253T7R2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1400713532&sr=8-3&keywords=Swimways+spring+float+baby (Personally, my kid isn't crazy for any kind of flotation device, so I just end up holding him and swishing him around.)

We have this and have tried it a few times with DD. I think it looks like a great concept, but she hated it. She didn't feel secure enough in it. We usually just hold her. We enrolled her in a puddle jumpers class and she LOVED it, but of course was too young (around 16 months at the time) to really follow instruction and learn basics

but it did get her more comfortable in the pool

MommaHen1984 · May 2014

We just bought the puddle jumper as well and tried it on DS at the pool on Monday. Hes almost 19 mos but hes 30 lbs. It fit pretty well. He loved it and started crying when we had to leave the pool!

MrsLele · May 2014

Just an FYI, most swimming instructors discourage the use of puddle jumpers and water wings. if you plan on teach water safety, it can greatly derail their teachings.

Pool vest/tube for 18 month old

Re: Pool vest/tube for 18 month old

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