Toddler Swimming

[ElaborateSalad]

We have a UK break booked for July and the place we're staying has three pools, including a baby pool.

DS will be 18mo in July. He loves water but due to lack of opportunity (Covid restrictions, etc) we haven't actually taken him to a pool yet. What equipment will I need? I was thinking of getting a reusable swim nappy, along with some swimming shorts, but I was also wondering about flotation aids. I've seen that you can get swim vests but these seem to vary wildly in price, but I don't know if there is some sort of standard they should meet? I'd rather not spend a fortune on something that ultimately won't be used a great deal before he grows out of it.

My other DC is 16 so I honestly can't remember what we used with them.

I'd be grateful for any recommendations. Thanks.

Anyone?

Weve been talking DS since he was 6 weeks. Just a swim nappy, either disposable or reusable and swim suit.

We use a shortie, so a knee and elbow length zip up neoprene thing. You can get them very cheap on ebay barely used. Helps keep DS warm in the pool too!

I have a DC a few months younger. For swimming lessons we use a disposable swim nappy underneath a Happy Nappy to avoid leaks. We don’t use flotation devices.

Don’t use flotation aids. They’re a false sense of security, both for you, and the child who doesn’t realise he doesn’t float and jumps in the water in that second you’re not looking when you’re all getting changed.

They also learn to swim more quickly when they’re given the chance to learn to float themselves.

He won’t be unsupervised at any point so just stay near him and gently support. Teach him how to push off the bottom of the pool in shallower water.

A pool noodle is good for him to hold onto and learn to balance, kick etc

Thank you all!

I’ve been thinking about this too. Surely arm bands or a float vest are ok If it’s just a holiday and not swimming lessons ? Wouldn’t have to constantly hold them then?

I’ve been thinking about this too. Surely arm bands or a float vest are ok If it’s just a holiday and not swimming lessons ? Wouldn’t have to constantly hold them then?

If they are out if their depth and can’t stand up, yes, you’d have to hold them. But tbh you should be doing that with an 18 month old in water anyway.

Arm bands and flotation vests can just as easily hold them face down, and make it impossible to turn round. Plus the kids doing stupid things like putting them on their ankles...

Kids learn to swim, or at least learn how to get out of trouble more quickly if allowed to find their own buoyancy. You should be within arms reach of a toddler at all times so it’s just as easy to support them yourself.

Sorry I didn’t mean I’d just dump them in the pool and go off somewhere 🤣 my child is 2 and can’t float yet, I just thought with arm bands I could let go and he might enjoy floating and have a splash around by himself.

I just used a swim nappy with Ds1&2.

We also used noodles as "flotation aides" from when they were tiny. You can rest them on them in various positions and walk/swim in the deeper pool with them; plenty of videos on YouTube showing different techniques.

Good point about them tipping over but I’d always be right there.

Good point about them tipping over but I’d always be right there

So no need for armbands then :). They restrict movement and the child will have more fun and learn water safety more quickly if they are allowed to splash around using their arms. All they can do with armbands and swim jackets is float passively- they hold them upright when they need to be more horizontal to move in the water.

A pool noodle is a better choice if you want them to be able to have an independent kick around- it encourages the body more horizontal so they are in a better position to learn to swim/float independently.