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Parenting

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Original poster

What sort of flotation device for 15 month old?

17 replies

Alysa8819 · 30/05/2021 20:35

Me and husband are taking our daughter swimming for the first time soon and I wasn't sure what to take..does she need arm bands or is she too little...would one of those rings with the seat built in be better?

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drspouse · 30/05/2021 20:38

Nothing, at that age she needs you.
Much more important to keep her warm (neoprene wrap) and poo out of the water (not just a regular swim nappy, a proper neoprene nappy cover too.

AnxietyMumEpi · 30/05/2021 20:42

Dd used the ring seat at about 8 months, it worked but wasn't much good for anything but floating about in. So I imagine it won't be much fun for a 15 month old.

We've just brought her one of these float vests to try out tomorrow, might be something to consider?

What sort of flotation device for 15 month old?

BertieBotts · 30/05/2021 20:43

Agree nothing is best - just hold her. IME at that age they hate having anything put on them and she'll get a much better feel for the water just being held. She's probably too heavy for the ring seat things, they're normally only up to 9kg.

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MilduraS · 30/05/2021 20:44

You can buy swimsuits with built in floats. They're brilliant as they avoid the chaffing you can get from armbands or vest. . If you're going to swim classes best to check first but for holidays they're great (and some have more coverage for sun protection).

BendingSpoons · 30/05/2021 20:46

The rings are great for feeling secure but armbands give more freedom. The rings tend to be 6-12m so probably too small and you wouldn't get use of it for long.

I second a shortie wetsuit. We got one from Sainsburys online and it keeps DS so much warmer.

Landlubber2019 · 30/05/2021 20:50

We had a float vest but after a couple of tries abandoned it, bloody dangerous imo! It seemed to ride up and then tipped him forward so his face was submerged most of the time!

MeadowHay · 30/05/2021 20:52

I'd use armbands or nothing at that age. DD goes to water babies classes so doesn't have anything then but on the odd occasion we go to a pool outside of that she has been happy to wear arm bands. She's nearly 3 and she wanted them on in the house the other day .

Original poster

Alysa8819 · 30/05/2021 20:53

Great thanks for the replies. I did wonder if just 'nothing' might be best but she's an independent soul so doesn't like to be contained for long! Hopefully she'll be distracted enough by the water not to care though.I'll look at the wet suits

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purplesequins · 30/05/2021 20:53

nothing
many devices can be very unsafe.
you need to hold a baby or toddler at all times.

FionnulaTheCooler · 30/05/2021 20:54

Your DD is possibly a bit young yet, but in a few months I would recommend a swim fin rather than armbands, we used one with DD and she found it much easier to move about in the water without anything restricting movement on her limbs.

BertieBotts · 30/05/2021 20:56

DS2 is independent as well, but it feels very strange in the water to them so she is likely not to want to be too far from you anyway! If there is a shallow children's wading type part of the pool, she'll be able to sit/toddle/splash there but in the main part of the water she will probably cling to you anyway.

BertieBotts · 30/05/2021 20:57

@Landlubber2019

We had a float vest but after a couple of tries abandoned it, bloody dangerous imo! It seemed to ride up and then tipped him forward so his face was submerged most of the time!

That sounds like it was too big. But I don't think they're recommended for this age group anyway.

purplesequins · 30/05/2021 21:00

even in very shallow water you need to observe very closely. never take your eyes off them. always be ready to grab.

SkankingMopoke · 30/05/2021 21:03

We mostly just held them at that age, but when they did want to swim off by themselves a bit more we used a pool noodle or Swim Fin. We also had the arm discs as they were used to using them in lessons, but both DCs hated having them on during leisure swims/on holiday.
We had the neoprene shortie suits for DD1 as a baby and toddler, and they did a fantastic job of keeping her warm(er. There is nothing of her, so she gets cold very quickly). DD2 is a more robust build so didn't need them past the baby stage, but they were still really helpful in those first months.

AlexandraEiffel · 30/05/2021 21:03

Second swim fin

motogogo · 30/05/2021 21:04

Nothing is needed except a swim nappy. Arm bands from 3 ish when they can actually start to swim

Authenticcelestialmusic · 30/05/2021 21:12

The swimming teacher at the baby group we attended recommended a float suit like this, www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/float-suit-d7974.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-J_4-pny8AIVGp3VCh3OKAWJEAQYASABEgIk9vD_BwE

We went swimming with three under 4 and all of them used these from about 1 year. We had to hold them at first but slowly they worked out if they kept moving they would float. You can then reduce the number of floats as they get more confident. You still need to be close by but at 2/3 they would swim about happily.

What I like most about them is I think they helped the children become confident in the water. They had lessons from reception (and were excited about having lessons) and were all happy to go under water, jump in, not bothered about being splashed etc.

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