Pool Floaties

[irish1213]

What is everyone using for the pool this summer? We go to a 0 depth kiddie pool and haven't needed any kind of floatation devise but will be visiting a couple of water parks this summer and will need some kind of floatation gear.  My biggest concern is weight restrictions, Jack hasn't hit 30 lbs yet and most of the gear is for 30 lbs and above. Any suggestions are most appreciated.

[summergirl1211]

We have a life jacket for when Riley's on the boat, but otherwise we will go floaty-free at the pool. As a former lifeguard I didn't/don't like how the floatation devices gave a false sense of security for the kids and the parents. I'd rather just let her learn her limits now and how to handle herself in the water without something holding her up. That's just my two cents though!

[jodielyn10]

We bought the puddle jumper float for Ingrid last year and she loves it. The weight limit says 30lbs and over, but she is still only 29lbs. It fits her fine, and we don't leave her unattended. Either me or her dad is right next to her in the pool - although she's a "big girl" now and won't let us hold onto her while she kicks and swims around.

FYI, my MIL sent us an off brand one (can't remember the brand off the top of my head) for Eli's birthday and it's crap. It's way too big for Eli, so we gave it to Ingrid and Eli uses Ingrid's puddle jumper one now. But even on Ingrid the fit isn't as good as the puddle jumper.

[paddyb]

Jun 15, 2015 10:51:32 GMT -5 summergirl1211 said:

We have a life jacket for when Riley's on the boat, but otherwise we will go floaty-free at the pool. As a former lifeguard I didn't/don't like how the floatation devices gave a false sense of security for the kids and the parents. I'd rather just let her learn her limits now and how to handle herself in the water without something holding her up. That's just my two cents though!

this. I had to scoop out multiple kids as a lifeguard who tried to take the swim test to got to the deep end because they thought they could swim...by their surprise at the fact that they did not, in fact, no how to swim I assumed they used floaties of some sort with their parents.  

Not a good situation.

[bliz1712]

We don't use anything unless we are on the boat. There are some water parks I've been to that require life jackets, but they should make them small enough for your LO. And I make sure to buy the "real" life jackets not just the cheapie ones you might get. The style that has the crotch strip

I have a built in floaty type thing for Hanna but we've never tried it. Someone is always in the water with them or right next to them.

[junkytrunk]

We use the puddle jumpers. It is actually a legal floatation device, so we also use that of we go on a boat. He like his "arms".

[irish1213]

Jun 15, 2015 11:02:39 GMT -5 paddyb said:

Jun 15, 2015 10:51:32 GMT -5 summergirl1211 said:

We have a life jacket for when Riley's on the boat, but otherwise we will go floaty-free at the pool. As a former lifeguard I didn't/don't like how the floatation devices gave a false sense of security for the kids and the parents. I'd rather just let her learn her limits now and how to handle herself in the water without something holding her up. That's just my two cents though!

this. I had to scoop out multiple kids as a lifeguard who tried to take the swim test to got to the deep end because they thought they could swim...by their surprise at the fact that they did not, in fact, no how to swim I assumed they used floaties of some sort with their parents.  

Not a good situation.

I totally get this, but Jack definitely needs something since actual swim lessons by us don't start until age 3 and he won't hit that until August. Right now he has taken the water babies class which is just to familiarize him with the pool. I feel like he needs something since we will be in deeper waters this summer and I have Della now so I won't be able to hold on to him the entire time.

[xanthepants]

Puddle jumper or an actual life jacket with a between the leg loop. Cosette had a life jacket last summer and she wasn't 30lbs then but we still went that route. She is nearing it now and we have both. We have used arm floaties in a pinch on vacation when we had nothing - but we had 2 adults near her at all times and I never had her outside my reach. She still needs to be within reach even in a life jacket to be honest. Until she has had a few summers of swim lessons I don't see that changing.

[mrsrek10]

JA just took intensive swim lessons 2 weeks ago (he learned to swim in 5 days!) and the instructor also said she was against flotation devices like arm bubbles and puddle jumpers. She suggested the Konfidence product line as an alternative. It is more vest-like and you can slowly remove the level of flotation assistance in it. We are going to get one of those for water parks and the lake. In the pool, we just let him swim and hold him where he can't touch once he stops swimming. (He can't tread water)

[mightybee]

Dylan wears a suit from My Pool Pal. It has float pads built in. I really like it and it's teaching him to tread water. It's sized in 10 pound increments and is lasting him 2 summers.

I don't feel comfortable with him in just trunks, especially because out community pool is 3-5 feet. I'm always in the water with him.

[jodielyn10]

Jun 15, 2015 11:02:39 GMT -5 paddyb said:

Jun 15, 2015 10:51:32 GMT -5 summergirl1211 said:

We have a life jacket for when Riley's on the boat, but otherwise we will go floaty-free at the pool. As a former lifeguard I didn't/don't like how the floatation devices gave a false sense of security for the kids and the parents. I'd rather just let her learn her limits now and how to handle herself in the water without something holding her up. That's just my two cents though!

this. I had to scoop out multiple kids as a lifeguard who tried to take the swim test to got to the deep end because they thought they could swim...by their surprise at the fact that they did not, in fact, no how to swim I assumed they used floaties of some sort with their parents.  

Not a good situation.

So, my question with this is, why were kids who can't swim not with their parents?

My kids will be taking swim lessons, but until they are proficient swimmers, they will not be alone at a pool - meaning either me or my H or another adult will be IN the water with them.   

[paddyb]

Jun 15, 2015 11:56:43 GMT -5 jodielyn10 said:

Jun 15, 2015 11:02:39 GMT -5 paddyb said:

this. I had to scoop out multiple kids as a lifeguard who tried to take the swim test to got to the deep end because they thought they could swim...by their surprise at the fact that they did not, in fact, no how to swim I assumed they used floaties of some sort with their parents.  

Not a good situation.

So, my question with this is, why were kids who can't swim not with their parents?

My kids will be taking swim lessons, but until they are proficient swimmers, they will not be alone at a pool - meaning either me or my H or another adult will be IN the water with them.   

It was at the YMCA, the kids were in summer daycare, and they would come swim once or twice a week.  I don't know if the parents were asked by the teachers beforehand if they could swim. The pool had a wading pool type area (2 ft max depth) where the kids had to stay unless they passed the swim test.  I wouldn't but that particular situation on inattentive parents.  

However, I also lifeguarded at the city pool, and tons of parents used us essentially as very inexpensive daycare and would send their kids (I believe they had to be at least five, I'm don't remember for sure) EVERY day by themselves.  

And I agree...until a child is very proficient they should should not be in the pool by themselves.

[babywinks]

We have puddle jumpers but haven't used them yet. I plan to use them this summer for both kids (Jack is 25 lbs so I hope it works ok) and get Abby in swim lessons next winter and spring at the YMCA so she will be ready for next summer.

[bantyrooster]

We did a puddle jumper last year for the lake. Lake water is one of my huge anxiety triggers, so this year I think we will stay pool side.

[sarasansh]

We also have a puddle jumper and it's great. I was strongly anti-floaty for a long time (also a lifeguard) but Robin is so very cautious we were getting nowhere trying to get him comfortable in the water. I like the puddle jumper because it keeps Robin afloat but he can jump and have his head go under for a moment, still do lots of kicking/treading, and have decent arm movement.

[tribute17]

Jun 15, 2015 11:02:39 GMT -5 paddyb said:

Jun 15, 2015 10:51:32 GMT -5 summergirl1211 said:

We have a life jacket for when Riley's on the boat, but otherwise we will go floaty-free at the pool. As a former lifeguard I didn't/don't like how the floatation devices gave a false sense of security for the kids and the parents. I'd rather just let her learn her limits now and how to handle herself in the water without something holding her up. That's just my two cents though!

this. I had to scoop out multiple kids as a lifeguard who tried to take the swim test to got to the deep end because they thought they could swim...by their surprise at the fact that they did not, in fact, no how to swim I assumed they used floaties of some sort with their parents.  

Not a good situation.

This is good to know. I had never really thought about it because he refuses to wear the puddle jumper or anything else. I thought I was just a slacker parent for not making him wear one. This totally makes sense to me though. We are always with him and I just hold him.

[britbratjf]

We have a puddle jumper. I give her time without wearing it but at the end of the day I can't hold her in the pool for 2+ hours not does she want me to. I also have her in swim lessons and I'm hoping by next summer she'll have some good skills so we won't have to use the puddle jumper. I got it last year & she was like 26lbs - it worked fine.

[samelly]

We have a life jacket which DD has used in a pool a few times. I might try floaties, but she hasn't worn them yet.

[cookiesandwine]

We have this speedo one for Sadie and we love it. She doesn't wear it at water parks though, I think it would get cumbersome after a while. It was amazing for me when we went on vacation without H though and I didn't have an extra set of hands.

[aylafsu1881]

We have a puddle jumper and E loves it. It really does make her float. She is 26ish lbs and I still use it. I know it says 30 lbs or higher but I hate the ones with the between the legs straps. They always seem to ride up and irritate kids. The puddle jumper is under her arms and on her arms so I think it is better for floatation. E has just started swimming lessons so I hope to wean away from it.