Anyone have any good recommendations for a flotation device for a toddler? DS finally started going in the pool last week and loves it, but with all the jumping into the pool and I'm assuming the chlorine, he has a rash/abrasion on his neck and thighs from the vest and the strap that goes through his legs. Any suggestions to minimize the friction or anyone have luck with a different type of device? (arm floaties??) This is the one we currently have:
I've heard that Puddle Jumpers are great too, but I'm concerned about how cumbersome they are. My bigger concern with DD was that she actually continue to learn to swim, not just that whatever I got would keep her afloat. We got this:
I love that we can take floats off as she gets better at swimming, it's not awkward on her arms and chest, and keeps her floating the right way to learn to swim properly. DD adores it.
I've heard that Puddle Jumpers are great too, but I'm concerned about how cumbersome they are. My bigger concern with DD was that she actually continue to learn to swim, not just that whatever I got would keep her afloat. We got this:
I love that we can take floats off as she gets better at swimming, it's not awkward on her arms and chest, and keeps her floating the right way to learn to swim properly. DD adores it.
Any problems with the straps rubbing on her arms, etc?
Any problems with the straps rubbing on her arms, etc?
Not so far, but we've only had it for about 2 weeks, so she has only used it a few times. They used the float belts in her swim class, and she always did great with those, so a puddle jumper seemed like overkill for DD.
For those Moms who use the puddle jumpers, how big are your LOs? I was just looking at these for DS1 but he's tiny - maybe 21lbs? The description on Amazon says that it's for 30-50lb toddlers and I was wondering if they would fit DS.
For those Moms who use the puddle jumpers, how big are your LOs? I was just looking at these for DS1 but he's tiny - maybe 21lbs? The description on Amazon says that it's for 30-50lb toddlers and I was wondering if they would fit DS.
My DS is around 24-25 lbs and the Coleman Puddle Jumper worked well for him. For some reason I remember the tag saying it was good from 21 lbs up, but I can't confirm that online at all.
We just cinched the belt as tight as it would go. It would fall down a bit when he was out of the pool but generally was awesome.
I've heard that Puddle Jumpers are great too, but I'm concerned about how cumbersome they are. My bigger concern with DD was that she actually continue to learn to swim, not just that whatever I got would keep her afloat. We got this:
I love that we can take floats off as she gets better at swimming, it's not awkward on her arms and chest, and keeps her floating the right way to learn to swim properly. DD adores it.
@SusieBW we just bought a puddle jumper for DS. It's not cumbersome at all. DS still kicks his legs with it on and it's a great way to keep him upright in the water. We used it for the first time over the weekend, he loved it.
[MC 11.20.11] [DS born 9.24.12] [DD born 10.15.14]
Puddle jumpers FTW. They've never bothered DS and they allow him so much freedom.
I will say, when he went to his first swim lessons the teacher noticed by how he was swimming that he had been using one before - he kept his body vertical and she had to keep forcing him into horizontal position (so parallel with the pool floor). By the end of the lessons he had corrected himself and now when he wears it (not super often) he keeps himself in horizontal swimming form, so I'm okay with it.
I agree 100%. Best summer purchase for DS so far.
[MC 11.20.11] [DS born 9.24.12] [DD born 10.15.14]
@SusieBW we just bought a puddle jumper for DS. It's not cumbersome at all. DS still kicks his legs with it on and it's a great way to keep him upright in the water. We used it for the first time over the weekend, he loved it.
Yeah, I've heard that they're awesome and kids seem to love them. I feel like it would give me a little more peace of mind knowing that it has that big float across the chest, too, but like I said in an earlier post, DD was doing awesome in her last swim class with just the float belt, so a puddle jumper sort of felt like a step back in her swimming progress at this point. It might have made more sense for us last summer than it would now, I guess. I'm not knocking them at all, I just didn't think it was the best option for DD right now.
For those Moms who use the puddle jumpers, how big are your LOs? I was just looking at these for DS1 but he's tiny - maybe 21lbs? The description on Amazon says that it's for 30-50lb toddlers and I was wondering if they would fit DS.
DS is 24lbs, 34" tall, and his fits fine. The straps ARE as tight as they can go, though. You could always take LO to target and slip it on him while no one is looking to see if it fits before you buy. :P They may have them at Walmart too?
For those Moms who use the puddle jumpers, how big are your LOs? I was just looking at these for DS1 but he's tiny - maybe 21lbs? The description on Amazon says that it's for 30-50lb toddlers and I was wondering if they would fit DS.
DS is 24lbs, 34" tall, and his fits fine. The straps ARE as tight as they can go, though. You could always take LO to target and slip it on him while no one is looking to see if it fits before you buy. :P They may have them at Walmart too?
I was considering buying on Amazon (so much easier to buy online than go to a physical store) but I will probably go to Target to make sure it fits before purchasing.
For those Moms who use the puddle jumpers, how big are your LOs? I was just looking at these for DS1 but he's tiny - maybe 21lbs? The description on Amazon says that it's for 30-50lb toddlers and I was wondering if they would fit DS.
My almost 2yr old DS2 is about 32lbs. He's a big boy and I have the strap the tightest it will go. DS1 used it 2 summers ago when he was 1.5-2yrs and he was about 30lbs, and also last summer when he was about 35lbs. I'm pretty sure we kept the strap as tight as it would go then too. I really like the puddle jumpers. DS1 started using regular arm floaters this summer and can now swim without anything.
We have one of the adjustable backpacks that you can take apart as they become more confident in swimming. Our swim instructor recommends them over the "arm floaties" because it apparently helps the kids to swim on the own.
We have the puddle jumper too and love it. I put ds in a rash guard (swim shirt) and put the puddle jumper over it. He is 2 and weighs about 35lbs (he's more the size of a 4 yr old) and the arms were a little tight but I think they will stretch/soften with more wear.
Thank you for all the responses to my question. We got the puddle jumpers this weekend and it was slightly loose on DS1 but did the job. He loved them!
Re: Moms with toddlers - Swim vest/floaties recommendations?
I love that we can take floats off as she gets better at swimming, it's not awkward on her arms and chest, and keeps her floating the right way to learn to swim properly. DD adores it.
Married to my love on 06-02-2007
Mikah Lucille born 03-02-2011
Baby Girl Zooey due October 2014
[MC 11.20.11] [DS born 9.24.12] [DD born 10.15.14]
I agree 100%. Best summer purchase for DS so far.
[MC 11.20.11] [DS born 9.24.12] [DD born 10.15.14]
My almost 2yr old DS2 is about 32lbs. He's a big boy and I have the strap the tightest it will go. DS1 used it 2 summers ago when he was 1.5-2yrs and he was about 30lbs, and also last summer when he was about 35lbs. I'm pretty sure we kept the strap as tight as it would go then too. I really like the puddle jumpers. DS1 started using regular arm floaters this summer and can now swim without anything.
DS2 8/21/12
DD 9/26/14
Baby #4 edd 2/11/19