bouyancy recommendation for taking a 16 month old swimming for first time?

[spaghettisue]

What do those with experience suggest I take?

Arm bands, swim jacket, floats that the baby sits in? Or nothing at all? Our pool starts of just inches deep so I could take ds and no aids? I have been to the pool recently with my 2 older children and see babies with all sorts of aids, but I have no idea what to get.

I don't know how he'll be in the pool, but I think he may be quite nervous. He is that kind of a boy.

So I would really appreciate any advice.

if he's walking or even crawling then I'd have the arm bands with you and half inflated ready to put on him. Otherwise just go in without anything as the arm bands are pretty restrictive and he'll probably want you to hold him or to just splash in the shallow end.

First time? Nothing. He won't be heavy to hold in the water and you'll get an idea of how he likes it. Maybe a bath toy.

nothing. you'll be holding him the whole time, so arm bands or floaty things will just get in the way.

I tie a foam swimming noodle round ds2, he floats and paddle around

Okay, cheers everyone. That all makes sense. Am going to take him tomorrow, will see how we get on :).

Not taking any aids, we'll just stay in the very shallow end until he is ready to come out.

Littlefoot, like your idea of the bath toy (though I have to say my lo's idea of a bath toy is a bottle - he ignores all the little ducks etc!) but we'll take one tomorrow :)