Swim aids for toddlers

[mnforadvice]

Our nearly 2 year old has been having weekly “swimming lessons” since she was a couple of months old so is very confident in the water. We’d like to go as a family this half term to the local pool but looking for advice on swim floats/aids for her. Obviously she will always be with an adult but she just wants to get up and go so would like a bit more peace of mind whilst we’re not in a tiny learner pool with an instructor next to us. We’ve been swimming often as a family but now shes older and trying to be independent she’s much harder to keep a grip of without kicking and screaming

I’ve seen the attached images on Amazon - has anyone used anything similar and have a recommendation? I remember having something similar to the yellow one when I was little! TIA!

We had one like the little pink vest. It means they can splash about doing doggy paddle without you having to hold on to them the whole time. If she can keep a pool noodle under her arms or ride it like a seahorse, that would have a similar effect.

Yes we have the same as the pink vest for my toddler, keeps him afloat without being held and he loves it.

I have seen some swim teacher accounts online that advise using the life vest for going to and from the pool, and taking it off once in the water with an adult so they feel their body's own buoyancy.

Tbh i bought one, used it on my son when i took him swimming, and he didnt want it on the next time.

Interested in how others do it

Thanks for the replies, that’s really great! She doesn’t particularly like a noodle at the lessons and will try to get off which is just stressful trying to not drop her!
My first thought was the pink one, I’ve seen children wearing them often, at least I could take it off if needed too.

We had one of these but it got a bit annoying when they were bigger and you were on holiday and wanted to be able to take it off when they weren't in the pool - especially once they weren't in nappies. So we got one that zips up which is much easier

If you go for a swim vest go for one that zips up at the back so they can’t take it off without help.

amzn.eu/d/2WSCm8h this one

Thanks all, that’s really helpful. Off to order the pink one!

We used versions of that pink one very successfully with all three kids. Helped with water confidence and safety in the water. Took them off when it was time to learn to swim properly and never used again. Caused no problems with learning.

Ours has a bigger float at the front than the back so they will float face up if need be which is good for peace of mind! One that zips up over a costume is good because it means they can take it off to feel what the water's like without it and you still have a regular costume for splash parks etc where they don't need the float part so much.