infant and pool

[renae3]

I have a 7 month old baby and was wondering what I could put her in for the pool? Any suggestions? Also, what about older kids, what does everyone do for their kids that can't swim? Thanks so much!

 

[lindsmom]

I have a 7 month old baby and was wondering what I could put her in for the pool? Any suggestions? Also, what about older kids, what does everyone do for their kids that can't swim? Thanks so much!

When our daughter was a baby we had an inflatable floaty seat - it was a blow up ring, with a seat in it that you put their legs through (it's shaped like an x, so they won't fall through). It was inexpensive - under $10.

She's just getting comfortable swimming, so as she grew we tried floaty suits (like a bathing suit but with floats all around the chest & back built in) - she didn't like it, but I've seen lots of kids with those. Then she had a bubble that straps on under the pits. She's FINALLY able to swim independently, although we (obviously) still watch her like a hawk.

 

[irene_dsc]

With an infant, the only thing I feel comfortable with is holding in arms, personally. If you do use any sort of flotation device, please, please, please don't walk further than arm's length away! They can still flip over, and then you have a baby upside down in the water - not good.

 

[all4fun]

I really liked the swimways spring float. Unfortunately when I found out about it, my ds was practically too big for it by then. But it would have been perfect at that age. eta: oops, it does say from 9mos so you LO may not be big enough for it yet...

My ds has been in and out of swimming lessons since he was three. He still is not much of a swimmer, although he's making progress. When at resorts, we use the swim vests. I know that they are not great because they don't teach kids that they will actually sink in water, but in the environment, the focus is fun, really. DS can go down the water slide w/out worrying about sinking like a stone at the bottom, when he has the swim vest on. We just used the loaners at the resort and they actually work really well.

hth

 

[alyssa810]

We had a little blowup seat that we used for my DH last summer, but he was closer to a year old, and bigger. The first time we took him swimming before last summer we just held him, and that was when he was around 8 or 9 months old.

 

[CTdiznymom]

When our twins were little I would use a floating seat. It wasn't a blowup one, but more of a styrofoam with a covering on it. It had a very secure seat and a back support. As they grew older they used arm swimmies. Of course an adult was with them at all times. If you have your own pool, there aren't enough safety measures you can take. May I suggest you look into a pool alarm that floats in the water along with an alarm you can put on your door to alert you if your toddler wanders out.

 

[anotherdisneygal]

We had a little blow up seat that I used to put my son in and hold. But it was actually easier to just hold him. I've since seen a baby Bjorn that is mesh and can be worn in the pool. My son is too big for it, so I don't know if it is worth buying.

 

[disneybridetobe]

We have this: It's a Baby and Me float. (http://www.aquasuperstore.com/products/Me-and-You-Baby-Inflatable-Pool-Float~16150.html) and a little turtle floatie that she used to use. I pretty much stopped using the turtle when I bought the Baby and Me float, because I was able to float too, and I was face-to-face with DD. I've had DD in the water since she was 8 weeks old, and she's a little water baby now. I highly highly highly recommend the Baby and Me float!

 

[tzolkin]

Not sure where you're staying, but last year when we stayed at Pop my kids really loved the squirt area by Goofy. They were able to get in their bathing suits and get wet, but we didn't have to worry about them in a big pool.

I think most (all?) resorts also have a kiddie pool where it's just a shallow amount of water to splash around in.

We only went in the regular pool maybe once during our trip.

They also have life vests available at the pool for older kids to wear.

 

[turtlegirl1]

I used the Swimways spring float when my son was <1 yr. It was great, even in the baby pool where he could reach the bottom, it would float & support him, yet he could walk around. I liked the product so much I stuck with Swimways & bought the next step in their kids line.

 

[Colleen27]

I bought a Body Glove baby carrier that is intended for the water. We've only used it once so far, but I really like it. She spends a lot of time in the Snuggli when we're out so there was no adjustment for either of us, and I can have my hands free to play with the big kids in the water and still know that DD8mo is safe and happy. It is a great balance, because when I can focus solely on her it is easy to get her out and give her a little more freedom of motion but if she's not going to have my undivided attention she can splash and enjoy the water from the safety of the carrier.