Swimming - alternative to armbands for a 21 month old?

[Wallace]

I have only recently started taking my three children swimming regularly. I used to take the older two a lot before ds2 was born, but for some reason we haven't been much since.

At the moment ds2 has armbands, but they are not enough support for me to let go. I would like something that he could wear so I don't have to hold onto him, so I can give some attention the my older two. Especially dd (age 6) who would like to learn to swim without armbands.

When he was a baby I did have one of those baby floatation ring htings, but I would like something that would give him a bit more freedom.

Thanks

Hi Wallace

DS still uses armbands but both me and Dh tend to go with him and we only have the one child.

I have seen the bodysuits that have small floats all around the middle - maybe one of those would help him float better?

A float jacket is what you want. Zoggs make a great one - Zoggs Bobin buoyancy jacket (You may get it cheaper elsewhere; I just linked to the first one I found). It says it's from 2 years, but we used it with ds - who is on the small side - from about 18 months.

we bought a float jacket for ds1 and they are worse than armbands as it doesnt make them float in the right position. Armbands are much better, Ds2 has had them for a month now and he can swim in them ...he just sort of bobs around and we dont have to hold him. He hasnt sussed to keep his mouth shut (too busy laughing) so you cant take your eyes off him still.

float jacket from mothercare with the removable floats

how old is your ds...im on about a toddler

they have some peculiar arm ring things at my pool, made of float stuff but more like washers. some children are given more than others, not sure whether this relates to weight or ability.

That jacket looks good, he is on the large side anyway so will fit him fine. The one mothercare looks good too, would it be easier to adjust him to the correct position (eg head out of water ) with that?

The problem with the arm bands is that if I do try to let go his face goes straight under, I wonder if his armbands are not quite enough to help him float...

Meant to say Hi ceebee, I'll hopefully catch up with you July lot soon

do you mean he doesn't hold his head up or that he sinks?

are you inflating them enough?

dd's 23 months her zogg roll up arm bands are fine. she can swim with them on.

with ds1 we had to use both a float jacket and armbands to stop him sinking.

My DDs found armbands too bulky and uncomfortable so it reduced their confidence in the water. As soon as I moved them over to bouyancy jackets they were much happier. It took a two 30 min sessions for them to get their balance with them then they were off swimming around the pool on their own. I was suprised how quickly they became independant - esp DD1 who was terrified of the water - they had been using armbands for months prior to the vest.

btw DD2 is tiny and started using a 2-4yr vest at about 18 months - they are quite a snug fit anyway.

I think it is that he doesn't hold his head up, but he can manage fine with just one hand under his tummy so maybe he is sinking. His armbands are birth-two so maybe that is why he is sinking, he does weigh about 15kg

I like the idea of fishies armring things. Off to google...

forgot to mention that our swim teacher suggessted combining a float vest and swim noodle for those who neede extra bouyancy when they first use the vest.

this is a 'noodle' btw

yes dd's are something like up to 6 year old. so i would try next size up for you. hers cover nearly her whole arm but they have a sort of bend in the middle so she isn't all stiff iyswim.

I agree the zoggs bobins are great also my ds loves floating on a zoodle