What’s the best way to teach a toddler to swim?

[LemonLemonLemon]

DS is 18m old and totally fearless in the water.
He will happily dunk his head under, blow bubbles under the water and kick and splash.

However he’s beginning to get frustrated by me holding on to him all the time. I am wondering what the next steps are now? Do I get a life vest or arm bands? Any advice?
Thanks

We used a baby inflatable tube that has supports built in. You don’t have to hold them, but should always be within arms reach of them as it’s not a substitute for parental life guarding. It allows them to kick and “swim” in whatever direction they want. You simply follow them around and play with them.
www.amazon.com/infant-pool-tube/s?k=infant+pool+tube&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Arm floats that you can gradually remove and/or a noodle. Water confidence is the most important thing at this rate and he might benefit from formal lessons

You can't teach a toddler to swim, they have short limbs and a big head which isn't conducive to learning strokes.

I'd recommend a noodle or a float and lots of splashing, blowing bubbles, kicking while holding onto your hands or the edge of the pool and tolerating goggles too.

When my youngest was about this age she learnt to kick herself off from the side and glide. She would then sink (!), wait for me to pick her up and repeat. She learnt to kick a bit so could go further and then doggy paddled a bit. She then had swim lessons! I did have to watch her like a hawk though!

A pool noodle under their armpits gersnthir body in a more natural swimming position than anything else. If he is a confident water baby he should work it out for himself. Put a floating toy just out of reach and watch him go.