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Original poster

Toddler Swimming Aids

15 replies

MrsS · 17/09/2004 23:04

My DS is 16 months and loves swimming. Trouble is we have been using an inflatable ring / seat and he has recently started throwing himself forward and getting out of it. It's become really dangerous to have him in it. When I just hold him he is constantly trying to push me away.

Has anyone used anything like a bouyancy jacket and could tell me where they bought it

Thanks

OP posts:
clairabelle · 17/09/2004 23:06

Haven't used the jackets but when dd started swimming lessons she had a belt with floats on it which was great. There is a site that sells them I'll see if I can find it.

Kayleigh · 17/09/2004 23:07

We have an ELC one. Ds2 has had it since just over a year and he is 3 now and it still fits (he is slim built). Think it cost about £25.

Kayleigh · 17/09/2004 23:08

oh, and have seen them for sale on Ebay.

clairabelle · 17/09/2004 23:09

swimshop

KangaMummy · 17/09/2004 23:11

We used a BOBIN jacket we bought it at Centre Parcs. It was brill we took out the floats one or two at a time and DS learnt to swim without realising he didn't have the floats in anymore.

Also because it is made of polyproperlene it kept him warm.

If the child is one who tries to take off you can turn them round and zip up the back.

clairabelle · 17/09/2004 23:11

swimshop

clairabelle · 17/09/2004 23:12

Bloody hell I've done a link and it works

Original poster
MrsS · 17/09/2004 23:15

Thanks everyone for getting back to me so quickly. I haven't been on mumsnet for a few months and had forgotten how great it is and how great you all are

Have a great weekend everyone !

MrsS

OP posts:
almost40 · 18/09/2004 02:13

I had the same question as MrsS. Someone told me that the floaty arm bands are not good for toddlers because they will rely on them and not learn to swim. Does anyone know anything about that? The bobin jacket sounds great - kangamummy. I'm going to go on-line to find one now.

KateandtheGirls · 18/09/2004 02:28

My kids never had any luck with the buoyancy jackets. I guess they just weren't comfortable with them. I have also heard that armbands aren't the best things for toddlers to use because they get used to being supported in the water. Personally they have worked for me.

Now maybe if you spend all your time in the water holding your baby and attempting to teach them to swim, no flotation device is a good idea. Back in the real world armbands have worked great for us.

My 5 year old used to wear armbands. We moved into our new house which has a pool when she was 3 3/4, at which point she was comfortable with the armbands. About one month later after swimming every day she decided she didn't want the armbands and has been swimming like a pro ever since.

My youngest has always been a bit more cautious in the water (she used to scream bloody murder every bath time for the first 6 months of her life). It took her longer to get comfortable even with armbands. Now she is almost 2 1/2 and is very comfortable in her armbands. She doesn't particularly like getting her face wet (I'm trying to work with her on that), but she swims all over the pool by herself. I have just started taking her armbands off some of the time when I'm in the pool with her while I hold her, to try and get her used to the feel of being in the water without them. But I don't think it will take too long or be too much of a problem for her to be swimming unaided. In my opinion the most important thing is getting used to the water.

fisil · 18/09/2004 06:14

never heard that about armbands. My brother & I always wore them and were both good swimmers (when little).

I've always had ds (now 20 months) in armbands - so that he's used to them before he gets stroppy! We go swimming with a friend each month and they both through themselves around with abandon and have a wonderful time!

We also have a simple water ring (age 3+ - couldn't find them any smaller) and sometimes he goes in just that, but it's a bit restrictive and he gets bored/climbs out!

SoupDragon · 18/09/2004 07:50

Apparently the problem with armbands is that they can interfer with the swimming action because they restrict the arms somewhat whereas the jacket types provide a more "natural" bouynacy and a better position for swimming.

Personally I never used anything other than a swimseat when they were tiny. Both DSs could swim underwater from 2.5 and "properly" with breathing at 3.5.

It's all personal preference though. It's more important to take your child swimming regularly, whatever swim aid you decide to use

toddlerbob · 18/09/2004 09:34

I got one from M&S but it can't be used until 2 years.

A normal inflatable rubber ring works well for us (18 months) as he feels dangly enough to hold onto it!

iota · 18/09/2004 15:14

my 2 use float-wings
here

which don't restrict arm movement. The trick to get them swimming without them is to deflate the wings gradually over a period of time

KangaMummy · 22/09/2004 10:39

MrsS and Almost40 I have just had the latest Great Little Trading Company catalogue and on page 127. CODE G0152 £24.99 They call it a KONFIDENCE JACKET so go to www.gltc.co.uk orderline 0870 850 6000

It is just like the BOBIN DS had, neoprene.

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