Best "flotation device" for toddler?

[Fargoman2]

Since I know we will be spending a fair amount of time at the pool, I'm looking for the best flotation device for our son, who will be just shy of 3 when we are in DW. He weighs about 37 pounds already and having him in the water with you is a back-breaking experience. I'm looking for something I could put on him so I wouldn't have to hold him up myself all the time.

The traditional waterski vest doesn't work all that well--you still have to hold him the whole time.

Any ideas? What brand and where do I find it?

 

[RED23]

Try looking in a pool supply store. I bought one a few years ago that looked like an old fashioned bathing suit with a tube sewn in.

 

[phins_jazy]

My DD is 2 and we use a foam pad swim trainer from swimschool. Got it at wal-mart. It's a size small/medium but they make it in a large size as well. We used it this past weekend and it is WONDERFUL!!!! Keeps daughter afloat on her own but she still has to have mom or dad's hand because she's still a little bit scared. But as far as keeping your son afloat I think this will do the trick. Think it cost around $19 if I remember correctly. Good luck!!!!

 

[skeezixspud]

Which is made of soft fabric with foam blocks sewn in all around. My DS was able to paddle around unaided from the very first time he wore it. I got ours at Target, it was about $15. It's royal blue with blaze orange patches on the front and SPEEDO written across the back.

This vest is not approved for boating use, but we find it really just perfect for swimming pools. It's not as tight and binding as a real ski vest would be.

 

[TrlyScrumptious]

I saw a neat swimsuit at Dillard's yesterday called a "Pool Pal." It's $50, but it looks like a real stress-reliever at the pool! It's a one-piece suit that's got flotation "bricks" sewn in at the chest and waist.

I just found their website:
www.mypoolpal.com

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

We use a swim vest for our DD...started when she was 3....does he not like it or does he prefer to be with you? A swim vest should hold him up well...and these other suits act the same way. The harder ski vests are uncomfortable...try a soft one...we got ours at ToysrUs...they fit better and are a bit more bouyant. Good luck!

 

[nanalisa]

My granddaughter uses water wings. You just blow them up and slip their arms through them (make sure arms and wings are both wet). She is 4 and weighs 42 lbs and they keep her afloat beautifully, as a matter of fact she used them today. You can get them anywhere. The two sets I have now I bought at Toysrus and the Poly gift shop.

 

[Fargoman2]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

Now I'll be an informed shopper. If I get the right one, my ACHING BACK thanks you!

 

[jfranklyn]

When we went to WDW last month, we took a tube thing that was built into a bathing suit. It worked fine for our 32 lb. nearly 3yo daughter. However, at the water parks and some resorts, they will lend you a swim vest that is REALLY great. It's like a foam material covered in slippery stuff. They worked GREAT. I have searched since we got home, and finally found one in a pool store. I would highly suggest this type, because it keeps them afloat, but they can still try and swim, whereas a tube doesn't lend itself to swimming, just "bobbing". If you want to see the type I'm talking about, go to www.brookstone.com and search on swim vest. I didn't buy it there, but that's the kind I'm talking about.

 

[summerrluvv]

I was disapointed that the life vests at the water parks and hotel weren't the appropriate size for a 2 and half year old. It was way to big and that was the smallest size they had (i think it said 50lbs on it, ages 4-6 or something like that). We ended up buying water wings for him, but next time we will bring our own life vest from home, or even the bathing suit with the tube sewn in.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

I am the Mom of a special needs DS. David loves the water. About 2 years ago we bought him a floating swim suit at

www.floatingswimwear.com

It is the GREATEST!!!!! They are a little pricey but his has lasted 2 years ! He can swim all around our pool on his own (Never out of out sight) but it keeps him totally up out of the water . They work really well so you don't have to hold him in the water at all. I just noticed this year that they are now making these in adult sizes also for special needs adults. hope this helps. I swear by them. Good luck

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

My 3yo uses a regular life jacket that we purchased at Wal-Mart. He weighs 56 pounds and is 43 inches tall so most of the regular floats are too little for him. He really has learned to use the life vest well and enjoys having it in the water.

 

[honeymom]

At PO FQ we used life jackets marked 30-50 pounds for our kids - 2 1/2 - 31 pounds and 5 - 45 pounds. Both did well as long as they were adjusted right.

We wound up buying an America's Cup life vest for the 2 1/2 year old when we then went to Sanibel Island. That worked so well that he was able to go down a slide by himself, bob up after going under from the slide and swim to the side himself to propel himself up to do it all over again. It's an orange life vest and we got it at a store that sold a lot of swim gear and souvenirs.

 

[BevS97]

We have always used armbands - they are cheap and work great. My daughter is 3.5 and can float quite happily in the water with her armbands on. (I think you call them water wings)
she likes them because she can float upright with them, the life vests tend to put her on her back

Bev

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Another vote for the SPEEDO swim vest at Target! Coupled with the litttle blow up ring your hands will be free! This even worked out at St. Pete Beach on the Gulf.

 

[GrammieMame]

We had always used armband swimmies, but didn't feel really secure with a blow-up type of flotation device, and sometimes one would slip off my just turned 4, 35 pound grandson. At a Disneyland trip last March, the Disneyland Hotel had life vests that were made from a kind of stiff foam material, yellow with fasteners in front. No kind of neck stuff. It was the best we ever had tried. When I got back home, I called every boating and outdoor store in town, and no one had them for children. Got on the internet and no luck. I was just about to call Disneyland Hotel to see where they got them, when I went to Sam's Discount Store and there were a whole rack of them for children of all sizes. We feel total confidence (although we still keep a close eye on him). He can try to swim, just bob around, jump off the side of the pool, etc. and always springs right to the top.