Swimming with 13 month old

[amatuermummy]

We take our 13 month old dd swimming most weekends and she loves it. The thing is, she's getting too big for her swimming seat and, although we hold her and play with her in the water, we also use the seat for her to float around in. Does anyone know what the next stage from the seat is? I'm sure she's too young for armbands and would fall through a hoop. Not sure what to do. Do they do bigger seats?
Thanks

[Teaandcakeplease]

I used this for a while: www.konfidence.co.uk/acatalog/Floatsuits.html However my son when he was the same age didn't get a long with them and I bought him this instead: www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Swim-Jacket-2-3yrs-Red/dp/B0030SPUWC?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_1&nodeId=42764041&sr=1-1&qid=1310637519&pf_rd_r=1HP378K07CZ7W04S8T9A&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=231490887&pf_rd_s=center-7 In the end he was happiest in arm bands.

Some swimming teachers say they're better off learning to swim with no float suits though Have you done baby swim lessons with her? My DD loved them and they really grew her confidence in the water.

[amatuermummy]

I hadn't thought of those jackets. We haven't done formal lessons with her. To be honest, they seemed expensive and we planned to take her regularly ourselves. She loves water and really enjoys swimming. I might try one of those jackets. Thank you

[Teaandcakeplease]

I only did one term and stole all their ideas and used them with her after

[muslimah28]

Floaties make a seat suitable for one to two year olds we have just bought it for 14mo ds from eBay new

[MissTinaTeaspoon]

I think I remember buying dd armbands around her first birthday. You can get different sizes, we bought zoggs rollup ones which were meant to be easy to put on but after wrestling with them for about a year I bought regular ones from mothercare.

If you can find a local Aquatots class they are great, we did the local leisure centre ones that cost £2.50 rather than an expensive course, it mainly involved songs in the water rather than formal swimming lessons but she loved it and I think it was a great way to start.

[monkoray]

My ds used regular armbands from about 12 months

[amatuermummy]

Thanks for all your replies, I might see if they do a baby swimming class at my local pool. I did look into the ones online, but they were loads of money. Thanks again