Life jackets

[Thirstysomething]

Can anyone recommend a life jacket for our chunky 20 month old ds?
We live by the sea and are about to go on a holiday with a pool, beach and boats all planned.
Preferably something not too bulky, so that he can move in it, but safety comes first - definitely a life jacket rather than a floatation device, ie something that will keep his head out of the water.
Thanks heaps!

glad to find someone who knows the difference!

don't make him wear it on beach/sea or in the pool (where you are always in arms reach) as he will just melt. For these, the toy stuff is fine.

if it is a yacht then he definitely wears a life jacket (and of course is constantly supervised). Have you asked the holiday company, because if they provide the boat they should provide the safety kit too.

Not totally sure about brands etc but you need one with a collar type thing which will hold head up and also straps between legs as little ones are too slim and it might just pop off over their heads if not secured.

I come from a family of keen sailors and we have always bought Hellyhansen life jackets. They cost a small fortune, but are the best you can get.

shop.hellyhansen.com/no-en/products/kids/life-jackets/

Thanks!! Will have a look now. Agreed he will melt in heat, but just want some peace of mind very occasionally as pool is right by villa. I was hoping there was a non-bulky life jacket, but can't find one. Been looking at 'toy' versions as suggested, and puddle jumpers look good? Apparently they turn a child upright, although I certainly wouldn't rely on it.

Hiya, Crewsaver is a good make too. I come from a family of sailors and they got one for 8 mo DS which we used on a trip recently and he was quite happy in it.
Ours has an integral metal ring at the back which you can use to clip little ones onto the boat - though we didn't need it this time as he was being carried the whole time anyway.

It may well be worth seeing what you can get second hand from ebay. Toddler lifejackets do not last long.

If you are just wanting something for by the pool then a swim vest is good better. You can remove the floats as your child's swimming gets better.

www.amazon.co.uk/Splash-About-Floatsuit-Adjustable-Buouyancy/dp/B000L0VY6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377547915&sr=8-1&keywords=floatie+swimsuit

It is vital that a lifejacket fits properly and you will need leg straps for a young child. An oversized lifejacket that rides above a child's head is worst than useless and will make the child drown.

We were recently on a Neilson holiday, the little ones used Konfidence swim jackets in the pool but life jackets (don't know make - the older child/adult BAs were all Crewsaver) for anything on boats. I suspect you really need both as the lifejackets aren't really suitable for swimming in.

We've used Crewsaver ones for our 3 since they were about 10 months old.

My daughter has a lifejacket similar to this one which was given to us by a friend.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100N-Life-Jacket-for-toddler-up-to-15kgs-/251325460846?pt=UK_SportingGoods_LifeJackets_PFDs_SM&hash=item3a842a316e

It has never been tested in anger by us. I have to admit I have no idea what baltic are like as make