Swimming pool aids recommendations for 2 year olds

[BernardButlersBra]

We are going abroad with our 2 year old twins this summer. Please could l have some recommendations for swimming aids? They can’t swim, hopefully starting swimming lessons later in the year. We have swimming vests from when we went to Centre Parcs but they seem a bit bulky for packing in a case?

I am traditional. Rubber armbands and foam float belts. Supervised in the pool by one of you at all times. A lifeguard is not enough for 2 year olds imo. Kids can be really rough in the pools unintentionally. The vests are a bit bulky as you say.

is there a possibility of them having some swimming lessons beforehand so they can get some confidence?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/swimming-belt-15-60-kg-with-blue-green-foam-floats//R-p-337512

Mine have the swim vest/jackets from Konfidence. www.konfidence.co.uk/products/the-original-konfidence-jacket?variant=42413641695394

Yes, l agree. I was thinking if both of them are in the water then either me or my husband should be with them. One twin is a daredevil and the other needs a bit more reassurance!

We are out of time for lessons. We both work, our weekends have plans between now and holiday which is later this month. Plus l am guessing there is probably a waiting list

Have you thought about going without flotation aids? The general guidance is that it's safer not to use them, and will free up some more packing space.

No. That would most likely mean both my husband and l would both have to be in the water when they are. It’s safe to say their appetite for swimming will be way bigger than ours. Plus it’s quite restrictive if we want to grab some food, use the toilet etc

I agree with none. If you have two none swimmers then when you’re out of their depth you need two adults adults in the pool.

Regardless I think you both need to be in with 2. I have a 1 and 3 year old and wouldn’t want to be in with them both alone.

As 2 year olds they should have an adult each with them in the water! So both of you need to go with them. If you need to do something then then you take the kids out of the pool!

You absolutely need to be in the pool actively supervising when toddlers are in the pool. If you need to get food or go to the toilet then you all need to leave the water.

You both need to be in the water with them, even if they have a swim vest on.
BOTH OF YOU

You 100% need to be in the pool with 2 yr olds!!!

vest and floats should not be used they are not safe

Pool noodles as flotation aids. With vests/armbands they won’t learn to swim.

spend the first day teaching them to float and self rescue.

i’ve seen some very near misses with small children and armbands/vests. Parents get them out the pool, take armbands off, turn to get a towel or to take the armbands off the other child, first child jumps back in the pool. They expect to be able to float as with the aids, but they sink like a stone. AIDS gives them too much confidence. They need to learn they don’t float naturally.

but yes, at 2 you both need to be in the pool.

Pool noodles and kick boards are ok-ish

You should both be in the water with them anyway.

They're two.

Forget swimming lessons. Forget the lifeguard.

You need one parent per child in the water and each parent should remain within grabbing distance of the child they are responsible for.

All a flotation device should do is allow your child to bob about in the water next to you and gain some confidence moving around rather than simply clinging to you like a koala. They do not allow two year olds to swim independently or prevent drowning.

you can’t genuinely think that 2 2 year olds can be left unattended in a pool whilst you get food?? This has to be a wind up??

They are only 2 so of course you both need to be the water with them. We have been doing baby/toddler swim lessons since 8 months and my DD (almost 3) and all the other the other kids in the lessons would still require one adult per child in the pool. Even after lessons most 2 year olds can’t swim with a pool noodle and even if they can they still need an adult at arms reach.

There will need to be an adult per child in the pool with them at all times - you can’t use a floatation device so you can nip off for a snack or to the toilet!

There’s a reason in this country that most pools are 1:1 ratio of adult to child for that age group.

We started swimming lessons for DC1 at 3.5 months old and he hasn’t used a swimming aid.

I think it’s fine for one parent to supervise both, most public pools and hotel pools allow two non swimming kids per adult. If you stick to strictly one adult per child, how would single parents manage, or SAHM take their kids swimming when other parent is working?

Use your sense and keep them both near. I started with the “no swimming aids” approach when my oldest was little but once I had two kids they got arm bands and I found they had a lot more fun as they didn’t have to be hanging onto my body they whole time (still within reach before anyone panics, they were just free to move their bodies in the water).

We had a zoggs swim vest when they were little and arm bands from about 2.5 years. They preferred the arm bands but I think there may be a lower age limit below which they aren’t suitable

Just to add- if you wanted to go without flotation aids do check that this is allowed at your destination- where we go on holiday they won’t let kids in without armbands/life jacket until they are about 7

The vests are better than the armbands.
I'd be seriously anticipating both adults being the the water the majority, if not all, of the time the twins are there.

Oh yeah. For sure we are leaving them both in the pool on their own. Don't want them messing with our holiday vibe. I'm going for the massage treatments and sleepy pool side naps!!! That's having kids right?!

There appears to be a comprehension issue on this thread. A) l was asking about recommendations for armbands etc. B) I feel the vests are too bulky. C) no, they won't be in the pool on their own 🙄 with flotation aids or not

Thanks for providing a thoughtful and relevant answer to my question. All makes sense to me and food for thought

I wish there was a more comprehensive multiples board on here! We have friends who have a set of twins and a singleton but no additional adult constantly at their beck and call

@Cheffymcchef PS what are the advantages of rubber air bands over the foam ones?

When my twins were 2.5 we went with swim fins. I always thought they were quite good as can just lie back for a rest but don’t restrict arms for learning. I’d wear over a rash vest though.