Swimming aids - float vests

[newmonthnewnameagain]

What does anyone recommend as a swimming aid for a 3 year old?

We're going on holiday soon and although we've got armbands, they're so bulky that I wonder if we'd be better getting a float vest?

I've seen ones where they have removable floats so you can reduce the buoyancy as the child gets stronger in the water. Had anyone used these, are they recommended?

I had these growing up learning to swim. Interested too in knowing what to use with dc.

We used a swimfin. Found them great as they support the child in a natural swimming position in the water, and DS loved looking like a shark 🦈!

Watching with interest as the husband has been sent out today to find swim vests for our 1 and 3 year olds. I've been looking at the same ones as you, so I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has used them.

Yeah we used a swim vest (looks like a life jacket) for our toddler and she loves it. Most SWIM fins type outfits are banned in a lot of pools (specially in our area) due to safety etc.

Decathlon do them in really bright colours and Trunki has them via Argos etc.

Schooltrip do they need to be able to swim at all to use the fins? My son hasn't had much experience in the water and so is still really wary of being out of my arms. I want him to start feeling more confident on his own (obviously with us in touching distance!)

I would really recommend a puddle jumper, our daughter has had one since 18 months and can confidently swim on her own in it. It puts them in the right position to swim.

We haven't come to remove it yet but I think we will do so fairly soon but at this stage it sounds like you need confidence first.

They use the disc armbands at our swimming lessons, start with 2 or 3 on each arms then remove gradually. More of a learning aid though than a flotation device as they don’t make it easy to float. I still think a rubber ring is best for having fun in the water as keeps the head from going anywhere near. Useless as a learning device though so depends what you want it for! Never got on with blow up arm bands, dd could swim before the smallest size fit, they look really uncomfortable!

Ours is 2 and we've gone for a swim vest and added a kickboard (float) to start with, she's much happier to have a go with the float than she was without. We're still trying to build her confidence in the water (have only been a few times so far).

Thanks everyone, will look at all your suggestions

My 18 month old has had lessons since 6 months and although occasionally she uses the foam disc armbands with her teacher we have decided to mainly aim for getting her swimming independently as soon as possible and not use any flotation device as standard. We have just bought her a Speedo buoyant swim jacket thing for our summer hols more for my peace of mind when she's playing around the pool etc.

No - Swim Fins are fine for non-swimmers.