https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:32:14 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2753006 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 12:38:49 +0000 ShootingStar 2753006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: We have this one - The Original Konfidence Children's Swim Jacket - Navy/Blue/Palm (4-5 Years) <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UAAIYS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CL-uzbFD121XN" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UAAIYS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CL-uzbFD121XN</a></p> <p>I recommend you get her a size up, they run small. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752998 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 12:29:38 +0000 Foodnerd81 2752998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: do you have a link for that one? Or just brand to look for? </p> <p>I'm glad I asked here- I definitely think that will be the way to go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752997 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 12:24:51 +0000 ShootingStar 2752997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: We love our swim vest with removable floats. DH was really against the puddle jumpers because of the way they restrict movement, so I got the vest. It's great, DS is essentially teaching himself to swim (attended by us at all times of course!) Maybe in a year or two we'll do lessons so he can learn the actual strokes. But he will definitely be able to swim on his own by then. </p> <p>I even got a smaller one when I saw it at a consignment for DD too when she's ready. We were actually in a store yesterday that had them and DH was like, "are you SURE it's the same? You're positive?" Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752828 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 09:19:36 +0000 hellobeeboston 2752828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: my 4.5 year old has been using the "bubble" for a little while. He's been in swimming class and they didn't want him using the puddle jumper since he couldn't use his arms that well to actually swim. The bubble had like 4 or 5 layers to provide more float too, we are down to 2 layers and he's doing well! If we are just with friends though I like the puddle jumper to be extra safe until he's really swimming well. </p> <p>I tried putting my 1.5 yo in the puddle jumper and it was big, but it worked! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752817 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:57:14 +0000 Foodnerd81 2752817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: @lawbee11: @looch: I was thinking maybe a life vest or something to help teach more independent swimming. I'll look into the ones with removeable floats. </p> <p>@looch: not even close to 50. She was 36 lbs a couple months ago. I'm tall but have little kids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752815 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:53:01 +0000 gingerbebe 2752815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: our son has worn this vest since 18 months and he actually likes it better than the puddle jumper (we have both). He did amazing with this vest and occasionally grabbed onto a kick board or noodle floating in the pool to rest but was doggy paddling and treading water like a champ.</p> <p>Speedo Kids UPF 50+ Begin to Swim Printed Neoprene Swim Vest, Berry/Grape, Medium <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JHJE9LA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Iq7uzb88Q1DSD" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JHJE9LA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Iq7uzb88Q1DSD</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752778 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:16:07 +0000 lawbee11 2752778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>M's swim instructor actually recommends life vests over puddle jumpers for kids learning to swim because it allows them to have a broader range of motion in their arms. So maybe pass down the puddle jumper and get a life vest for C? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752776 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:14:30 +0000 yin 2752776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO1 is 6 years old (under 40 lbs) and still wears a Puddle Jumper in the pool. He is still learning and not anywhere near ready to swim without it. LO2 is 3.5 years old, and he was comfortable using the Puddle Jumper last summer at 2.5 years old and around 25 lbs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752758 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 07:35:29 +0000 Mamaof2 2752758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 6 yr old still wears one at summer camp - she takes swim lessons in the morning but afternoon is free swim and I am too nervous to have her in the pool with tons of kids w/o it</p> <p>At our neighbors house she doesn't wear one and practices swimming </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752757 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 07:35:14 +0000 Charm54 2752757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have 2. DD1 (almost 4) is pretty good at swimming independently in the shallow end, but when she wants to go in the deep end she needs to wear the puddle jumper. I'd say she wears it 50% of the time that we are in the pool. Dd2 (21 months) has taken to hers really quickly and can maneuver around pretty good ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752756 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 07:33:49 +0000 looch 2752756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is your older daughter over 50 pounds? That's the weight limit for a puddle jumper.</p> <p>We are exploring those vests that have removable floats as the next step to teach floating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752752 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 07:30:30 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2752752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Around 4 is when my oldest stopped wearing it. </p> <p>I would think if you can keep it on the baby then I would switch over and not buy a second one.</p> <p>But water safety is the most important thing and puddle jumpers are under $20. So its not a huge investment to get a second if you're going to be around water a lot solo with two kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/age-range-for-puddle-jumper#post-2752747 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 07:15:23 +0000 Foodnerd81 2752747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What age range did you use a puddle jumper? </p> <p>We currently have one for my almost 4 year old to use in the pool. We have put it on the 1.5 year old and she's iffy on it and a little small for it, but it would work ok and I think she would enjoy a little more freedom in the pool plus get used to me not holding her so close in the water. </p> <p>So I'm wondering if I should buy a second one now, or if the almost 4 year old is about to outgrow hers and thereis something else I should get for her and pass hers down. </p> <p>She's taken swim lessons but isn't close to being able to swim independently, and I sometimes bring both to the pool by myself so I feel better with at least one in a floatie. Of course we still stay in the shallow end and I keep them close to me, floatie or not. </p>