2 year old - Pool safety?

[roryroo23]

Hi all,

We're going away with our 2 and a half year old later this week to Greece for a few nights at an AI resort which is centered around kids between 1-6.

There is of course a pool for 1-3 year olds, a splash pool and then an adults pool.

Our little one went to the States last year and also Italy earlier this year, but this will be the first time we've been to an all inclusive with him, and somewhere with a pool that he will no doubt love! (He went swimming as a baby at a local class).

What swimming aids would people recommend for someone his age or general tips? Of course we'd be in there with him... but would people recommend a vest? arm bands? puddle jumper?

Thanks for your recommendations in advance, also open to other tips and accessories!

A vest is easier to manage as it doesn't restrict the arms.

I normally go with a UV suit for more sun protection. At that age you get ones with foam inserts that keep you buoyant.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Konfidence-Floatsuit-Traditional-Removeable-Comfortable/dp/B0BNLQDLNG/ref=sr_1_8?adgrpid=1187473457558622&hvadid=74217291761664&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=164255&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-74217231673772%3Aloc-188&hydadcr=22170_1844835&keywords=kids+buoyancy+suit&qid=1693822392&sr=8-8

If you do get a vest make sure it's one with a bum strap as they often are a bit loose and seem to float uncomfortably under chins.

We don't do swimming aids at all with our nearly 3 year old. But she has been in swimming classes and can at least paddle for a few seconds. Swimming aids are generally not recommended anymore as they tend to give parents and children a false sense of security. I myself remember having armbands as a child and one popped. I went under and was struggling for a while before anyone even noticed. Tbf, obviously completely my parents' fault for not watching me properly. I think if I had to, I'd go with a vest type thing. They seem safer than those arm bands.

We have swimming muscle "discs" which my son loves - as they get more confident you remove one disc from each arm and it helps them with floating

Delphin Discs Swimming Aid (newitts.com)

Do Pollyotters exist any more? They were a swimsuit when DS was a 1-2 year old and had floats in the body of the swimsuit which could be taken out gradually as confidence built - and better than armbands for developing swimming.