15 month old swimmer - floaties, live vest or ???

[jawbones]

We are taking our 15 month old son to WL for his first trip. He's never been swimming and we were looking for some input on what some of you have used in the way of floaties or life vests. I'd like to know what you liked and what you didn't like. Thanks for the help.

 

[tjmw2727]

I always liked the swimmies for mygirls - the armband type. They seemed to keep the head up without restricting them to much, they kind of ran around the pool! Later when we were interested in instruction 2 1/2 or so we used the bubble on the back but that puts them on the belly, probably not a good idea for a 1yo!!

The life vest seemed to make them float backward or frontward and the kids were uncomfortable and not in control.

The .99 cent inflatable armbands are what we used. We prefered the ones that were triangle shaped vs round as they were easier to get on and off.

If you bring the .99 armbands and they don't work the resorts will let you use a lifevest free of charge so if you prefer that at least you won't have to buy it or transport it.

At this age he may just prefer to be held or play in the kiddie pool.
TJ

 

[momxx5]

At our local pool club I use the Speedo floatation ring(intertube) that has holes for the baby's legs. It is like a double ring system with a back/headrest for support. It works well for us - you must be in the water with the baby to use it.

 

[my3princes]

I had my 18 mth old in the pool this weekend in one of those scuba type swim suits with the built in floats in the chest and back. I still gave him support as with any type of floatation device their mouths can go in the water. We have used the armband type floaties with our other kids, but you have to be careful that they don't slip off and it still requires you holding on to the baby. I liked the float suit because it covers a lot of his body resisting sunburn. He didn't seem to mind it at all and loved the water.

 

[Rapunsel]

Please everyone! Just rememebr that no floaties, life vest or anything is a substitute from YOU!

Where I teach private lessons a woman came in with her two year old in floaties and said that she was going to sit at the side of the pool (on the deck) and watch her daughter as she swam. The water is 3 feet deep once you leave the steps. I then told the mom that if she was not going in with her daughter she would have to leave.. I got a huge complaint about that, but 3 seconds with their face in the water and you can have problems!!!

I suggest to parents that if you are able to take your kids for mommy and me swim classes. It will not make your child water safe, but it will make you both more familiar with the water. My DS 2.5 won't swim with floaties beacause he knows that he can do it himself. He knows that if he jumps in he turns around and goes back to where he came from. He has learned how to blow bubbles before putting his face in the water.. He still amazes me...
But no matter where we are, he knows moomy or daddy has be with him before he can go near any water.. Lake, river, pool, ocean..

 

[alloyd1170]

I agree with the last poster! I was a lifeguard (and a swimmer) and I dont know how many times I had to pull kids out because the parents slapped on the floaties and figured that would do it (and off they went). Ive even pulled kids out of hotel pools while on vacation (their parents where nowhere to found). The other weekend a mom had her child in an inflatable raft and she was walking alongside on the deck. Well the child flipped over and the mom had to jump in to "save" the child. Always supervise your kids in water-be an arms length away at most. Dont rely on the lifeguards-they have an entire pool to watch! I think the arm floaties are terrible. They seem to restrict the normal arm movement you would use in swimming. What if they leak air, or burst......yes maybe a rare occurrence, but it has happened. I had my son in infant swim classes at 8-9 months and by the time he turned 2 he could swim unassisted (no floatation devices) and tread water for several minutes. Of course I still watch him like a hawk and am in the water with him! I vowed I would never put any flotation device on him while in a pool, but at one point he didnt want me holding on to him anymore. I got one of those swim vests and loved it. Walmart, Target, Toys r Us had them. It has a a float in front and back with foam pads that you can remove as the child progresses. Everyone is so impressed at how well my son can "swim" on his own, but I still am with him all the time. All it takes is a second and they can slip under the water. Please be careful!

alison

 

[Liltx]

I have a 14 month dd and we swim everyday. You cannot use floaties as they are for 2 and up. Speedo make a good baby life vest but it will still keep them on their back not upright. Our dd will not sit in the tube with the leg holes because she can't move around as easy. I like just holding her best in the big pool and mainly she plays in the baby pool anyway. I still have to watch her closely and stay no more than armslength away because she will still go under several times and usually on purpose! Young ones are of two kinds terrified or fearless. Have a fun time swimming together!

Monica

 

[zurgswife]

Another Lifeguard and swimmer checking in here...please do not rely on the swimmies...they make me cringe...

 

[my3princes]

Just have to chime in again. I also was a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons for many years. I agree that teaching a child to swim is of upmost importance and that nothing takes the place of direct parental supervision. That being said I love the arm band type floaties for kids. They are not really made for infants or young toddlers, but once a child can keep their head above the water without tipping over or swallowing water I find that they work great for building confidence. I have used them with both of my older boys and they are both excellent swimmers for their age. I had no problems getting rid of them as they became proficient swimmers. They took the American Red Cross lessons last year and were able to skip many levels because of their abilities. For younger kids I like the one piece swimming assist suits, but they are not, nor should they be considered a life saving device and they still require an adult to be in contact with the child. I feel much safer having my 18 month old in it as when I am helping him I am also watching 3-4 other kids. It makes me feel safer and provides get sunburn protection for him. He loves the water and will jump in without warning. He blows bubbles, puts his face in the water and can back float without assistance. These things he learned just playing in the bathtub. I look forward to working with him this summer. If you are looking for a device that will save you child's life if he or she should get into water without an adult then the only way to go is an approved life vest. They have ones made specifically for infants. All of these devices have weight ranges specified on them. Make sure that you are using the appropriate one. If you are just looking for a little extra support then you can choose, but nothing is more important than adult supervision and it is a great bonding time. Lots of hugs.lol

 

[tjmw2727]

Wow - it never occured to me that anyone was asking for a life jacket or flotation device to use without a parent. (and I still don't).

Thanks for the reminder though I hope its heeded! I still sit on the side and/or swim with my girls who are very good swimmers at 7 and 9 ys old.

I recommended the swimmies as they worked well for us. FWIW I would never have dreamed of having the kids alone in the pool with them. My sil uses them for her 2yo, I will be sure to double check they are nice and tight.

TJ

 

[summerrluvv]

When my son was that age, I bought a tube thing at Toys R Us. We used it at SAB and it was great. I shipped it ahead of time, but it would be just as easy to pack as well.

Here is a pic

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...VC38T7YXB528&vi=pictures&img=14#more-pictures

The one I had was a little different...it was just the tank part...it didn't go through the crotch. It kept him afloat, didn't tip back or forward, and he actually used it until he was about 3.5 years old. A lot of the parents in my development seem to prefer that one too, as I see it at the pool a lot.

Now he uses the triangle shaped swimmies which allows him more freedom.

 

[kelscross]

My girls are the same age (2 1/2) and late last year one of them wanted more freedom in the pool. Mommy or another adult with them just not hanging on to them at all times. I tried a million different things and none worked very well, except a standard life vest. I got it at Target. I don't know the brand of it and it's at my grandmas since she's the one who takes them swimming mostly. It is purple and goes over their head buckles in the middle (you can adjust the strap around their waste to size) and has a strap that goes in between their legs. I was afraid it would ride her croch but it doesnt.

Let me tell you, the second I put that on her she became a water dog!!

My other girl decided she wanted more independence this year so I bought a swimsuit with an approved life vest inside. She still flips on her back or flips forward so I'm not sure if I like it for her. I think it is because she's not used to it so when she doesn't kick her feet or anything she flips. She'll get the hang of it.

I know they have life vests at the pools at the resorts but I am taking theirs anyhow, because I'm confident and they are confident in them.

Like you all said...it is NOT a substitute for an adult to be in the pool with them though.

 

[catherines_mama]

Originally posted by jawbones
We are taking our 15 month old son to WL for his first trip. He's never been swimming and we were looking for some input on what some of you have used in the way of floaties or life vests. I'd like to know what you liked and what you didn't like. Thanks for the help.

At 15 mos I most definetly did the water boat, life vest, or just held her myself. I just started using arm floaties on my DD and she's a bit over 3yrs old.

I believe at 15 mos they are fine with playing in the water and kicking, blowing bubbles, but unless they've been in it before or did Water Babies.. keep a hold of them and just enjoy.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I had the neatest thing with DS but have not seen one in a long time. It fit on like a sleeveless shirt and then had a floatation ring around the waist. It was great at your child's age. Of couse like all the other ideas, it was just for fun. I never was more that a arms length away, but he loved that freedom of being able to kick and splash around. We love the WL pool.


Jordans' mom

 

[jawbones]

While we're at it, does anyone know if it is ok (and for how long) I can leave my 15 month old son walking around the MK alone. Is one hour too much? Yeah, this thread definitely got very public message announcement very quick. I really do appreciate all of the advice from lifeguards and aquatic instructors. Our little one means everything to us. Both my wife and I are both teachers, and we are fully aware that children at our son's age need the supervision of a parent or parents at all times, especially when swimming. Thanks for all of the input. We are looking forward to our first trip to the WL and our little guy's first trip ever.

 

[all4fun]

Originally posted by jawbones
While we're at it, does anyone know if it is ok (and for how long) I can leave my 15 month old son walking around the MK alone. Is one hour too much?

LOL! Too funny.

Yes, this thread has been very informational. I wasn't aware my infant son couldn't spend some time in the resort pool alone. Who knew?

Seriously, though, I don't think we should let things get out of hand here. No one has even suggested that anyone should substitute any kind of child flotation device for parental supervision in the pool. I would hope if anyone saw this kind of behavior going on at a public pool, someone would step up and say somthing to the parents about it.

 

[Zoesmama03]

We opted for a baby boat with a shade over top for our 10 month old. We also take her out and get her used to water and she will actually push off between us and kick her feet.

We really don't like arm bands because they can give babies falso sense that the water is always safe. We are working on teaching her the float, tread, float, tread sequence by the end of summer. I'm even looking into lessons fromInfant Swimbut i think the swimsuit varietys can be good for older kids about 2-3 years.


I think arm band can be okay for older kids just my husband feels that he would much rather us teach her to swim early.



But a boat also gives you time to move a little more freely as long as you always keep an eye on them.


My dd loves her boat. See:

I think the weight goes to 35 or so atleast.

edited to change the link. I didn't know it was asking the name for link first. LOL

 

[JESW]

I liked the swim suits that had the floating devices built-in...have seen them for sale at Target and Wal-mart and stores like that. Just a thought...if you bring something that needs to be pumped up (instead of blown up) you may find it difficult to do at Disney. One trip we bought one of those suits with the built-in inner tube, the ones you need to pump up with a bike tire pump - and no-one at the YC/BC had a pump for that. We ended up using the swimming vest at SAB. Just something to keep in mind.

Hope you have a GREAT time!! Our DD5 went on her first Disney trip at 15 months and had a great time! We leave again next week for trip #10 for her! (and #12 for DS9)

Jill