to ask about children's swim stuff?

[cjt110]

We are going away in 2 months. My son will be 20m. Last year we had a swim ring for him as he wasn't even crawling. He is now walking and will leg it really fast at times.

We have seen this and thought it a great idea but on reading reviews from various reputable sites, the reviews range from 50% saying it's brilliant to 50% saying it's crap.

We need to buy him a swimsuit anyway.

So we have also thought about a float/swim jacket like this

His swim ring still fits him although he is now above the min weight, which I think was 11kgs and he's approx 13kg. We debated buying armbands but don't want to risk those as he doesn't swim and I';m not sure what buoyancy they will give him.

We rarely go swimming etc so wondered about one of these inflatable style jobbies , however, do worry that it will ride up around son's neck.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is the best way forward? Many thanks

At 20 months I wouldn't use any floatation, just hold him. He's too young to go in pool alone anyway so easier to just sit next to him when he plays in shallow end, and swim him around in your arms or holding his hands otherwise.

Not worth buying anything special IMO. You just need to make sure he is always in arms length (which UK swimming pools will require anyway). The inflatable thingies will just impede him learning to swim. The first swim aid that lessons seem to introduce is a foam noodle thing so I guess you could buy one of those?

My DD 2.5 has been using a puddle jumper for last 9 months something like this....
www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=puddle+jumpers&tag=hydrukspg-21&index=aps&hvadid=25386210567&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6880324629413852145&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=m&ref=pd_sl_7hsmjc3pvq_e

It's really good at allowing her some independence and keeping her afloat

Just been looking at puddle jumpers Lolly86 I assume from going under the arms, it stops it riding up around the neck?

That puddle jumper looks really unsafe. Can't they just be floating face in the water like that?

I wouldnt think so Art?

I would just hold him.

Argh, lost my post!

We have a just turned 2 DS and use arm floats for him. No issues at all. They keep the head above water perfectly.

Got some Poundland ones with Nemo on them and they were a good size, not too long down his arm so comfortable.

He is very confident in the water but never had formal swimming lessons. Soon!

Ohhhh what to doooo. I dont want to just hold him in case he slips from my arms.

This shows their face would very easily be in the water. The girl in picture is holding head up but if she didn't it would be under

www.amazon.co.uk/Sevylor-Puddle-Jumper-Floatation-Device/dp/B004GB1YRW

He loves floating in the water in his ring thing and kicking his legs. Worried armbands wont hold him high enough

I would just hold him and stay in the shallow end

I really don't think any of it is worth it. You can't actually let go of them anyway, my elder dd would have enjoyed being on a noodle for a couple of seconds at a time at that stage, but I wouldn't buy one just use one if there is one there.

Amy Easier said than does as if he's like he is on dry land, he will just try and leg it and create if I hold him :(

My 21 mo would rather drown than be held on to in a swimming pool. We use arm bands and always keep her within arms reach. She is able to float around just fine in arm bands.

We are on holiday at the moment and haven't come across a pool yet with a shallow end that's shallow enough for her to stand in. They all just have a step or two which she is happy to play on for a bit. I wouldnt want her to have no flotation in case my 4 year old gets into difficulty and needs some attention.

There isn't a flotation device available that is 100% reliable so I'd buy something you know they'd be happy to wear and then expect to watch them like a hawk (no fences around pools here either, it's been quite stressful!!!!)

RNBRie Thanks for your post. I'm the same in that although we only have him, it onl takes a second for him to leg or, or my grip to slip more likely him kick off about being held.

I think maybe buy some bands and try him in the local pool or just fill up the bath and see what happens. If we're not happy, we can always try something else.

I taught my kids to swim using similar suits - you can slip out the floats one by one as they get more confident. But they are not any substitute for supervision - nor is any other floatation aid.

We used a swimming noodle we got it in a pound shop, so nice and cheap! We also used armbands.

We had one of those jackets with the floats but neither of them wanted to wear it, and it wasn't a great fit.

this is the best think in my experience. It does support kids very well

www.amazon.co.uk/Sevylor-Puddle-Jumper-Yellow-yellow/dp/B00TV5QPHM/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1460723953&sr=1-2&keywords=flotation+device

Zoggs do really good orange ones that roll on and off. They are our favourite.

Definitely try them in a local pool first, great idea.

My little one loves them, she started off just bobbing about like a starfish but can now bicycle her legs to move around quite efficiently!!

Flotation devices can give a false sense of security, and can hinder learning to swim. A noodle is the best for them to hang on to.

I had to pull two kids out of the pool last holiday. First had armbands on, but had got himself to the middle of the pool, and couldnt get back. Parent was fully dressed on the side of the pool and hadnt even noticed the child was in difficulty until i'd got him back to the side.

The second was typical toddler. Parents got him out, took armbands off. Turned round for a towel, toddler jumped straight back in, not realising he couldnt stay above water without armbands.

Always hold on to your child, and be within arms reach.

*Just to clarify I wouldnt leave him unattended at any point. There will be someone with him at all times.

RNBrie Do you mean this type? My Mother in law was telling us about those a while back and said they were good and you dont have to tug them on?

We buy a really cheap small paddling pool (pound shop) We put in next to our sunbed with a bit of water in so little ones can just paddle because many of the hotels do not have a really shallow pool.

Micah Good point but getting a 22m old to hold onto it and as you point out, meaning he has no saftefy device in the event he slips away.... I'd rather not think of those consequences.