https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:21:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pool-floatie-for-older-child#post-2523898 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:51:15 +0000 PinkElephant 2523898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It looks like the answer is that there's no swim ring/float that is particularly "good", since it's not meant to be (nor do I intend to use it as) a safety/lifesaving device......I'll just buy whatever is cute/fun looking to supplement the life jacket/puddle jumper.</p> <p>Just so no one thinks I'm being lazy with my daughter's safety, she always wears a life vest if we're going to be on the boat/in water where the adults can't touch, and until now has worn a Konfidence suit to help with her bouyancy in water where the adults CAN touch, but she can't, and she's a decent swimmer). I was just looking for something fun so she can be lazy in the water with the rest of us :)</p> <p>@looch: That's good to know - I was under the impression that the puddle jumper tipped kids forward a bit into a "learn to swim" position, which is not what I want in this case (for her or for me!) She can swim, but I want her to be able to just float around having a lazy relaxing time with us if she doesn't want to properly swim around - it's hard work for little bodies! And yes, last summer I did sometimes put her in a swim ring in a life jacket in very deep water, the ring let her float a little higher up than the life jacket alone (at more ribcage height in the water instead of neck height) - more comfortable, I thought. :)</p> <p>@Mamaof2: It worked for us with the Swimways float to feel secure having DD in very deep water (jumping off a boat in the lake/ocean, not a pool) - the life vest fit fully inside the opening of the float, and she sat in the crotch sling looking pretty comfortable, not packed in the way you'd think she would be :)...that's why I was wondering if anyone had done a similar setup with a float intended for larger kids. I agree, I definitely wouldn't feel ok using a big kid ring (no crotch sling/strap) alone, especially in deeper water. I'm going to see if we can try out a puddle jumper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pool-floatie-for-older-child#post-2523866 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:26:18 +0000 looch 2523866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As in, you'd use both a ring and a puddle jumper?</p> <p>I was able to be in the water with my son this past month while he was wearing the puddle jumper without having to hold onto him at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pool-floatie-for-older-child#post-2523854 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:17:53 +0000 Mamaof2 2523854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: if my kids wanted to relax they would swim to the steps and rest.</p> <p>I never felt safe with rings and not sure it would work well with another safety device on top? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pool-floatie-for-older-child#post-2523843 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:11:49 +0000 PinkElephant 2523843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: @looch: Can they relax and float and play in it, or do they have to "work" (like tread water) to stay upright in a puddle jumper? I was envisioning more of a ring she can just hang out in (possibly while wearing a life vest or puddle jumper) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pool-floatie-for-older-child#post-2523723 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 13:01:11 +0000 looch 2523723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd also just get the puddle jumper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pool-floatie-for-older-child#post-2523721 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 13:00:04 +0000 Mamaof2 2523721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just do the puddle jumper </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pool-floatie-for-older-child#post-2523704 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 12:51:19 +0000 PinkElephant 2523704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Prepping for a family beach trip! This is a very random and specific question...but can you recommend a swim ring/floatie for a preschooler? She's close to 40 inches tall, but only weighs 30 lbs. We have this cool swim ways ring for DD2, but I think DD1 is going to need something more "big kid"....I doubt she can hold onto a noodle easily.</p> <p>What we have:</p> <p><a href="http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/swimways-sun-shade-spring-float-in-hibiscus/1018771802" rel="nofollow">http://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/swimways-sun-shade-spring-float-in-hibiscus/1018771802</a></p> <p>We'll probably also buy her a life jacket or puddle jumper, this is just something for fun when I'm in the water with her but don't want to have to hold her (and she's tired of swimming). I want to be sure I can be in deep enough with her to get my big pregnant belly under the water, but not have to have her so close to me that I'm in danger of getting kicked. </p>