Does anyone have recommendations for a toddler swim vest? I like the idea of these to help her float a little and be able to move her arms. I don't want a puddle jumper. We will be swimming in lakes and the ocean.
I know that true swim lessons and no floaties are really the answer, but we are not there yet!
clementine / 920 posts
We have an Aqua Jogger Jr. for my 3 year old. He uses it in aquatic therapy so we got one for personal use. His arms are free so he can practice "swimming" and it positions him so he can get around the pool easily. Our therapist uses them at home for her kids as well.
https://www.amazon.com/AQUAJOGGER-Aqua-Jogger-Jr-Belts/dp/B07BLQHTG7
apricot / 399 posts
I know this isn't what you want to hear, but your kid might actually prefer a puddle jumper. We have both, because we make them wear actual life vests when we are on a boat or they are riding on our paddle boards, but the kids hate them. And puddle jumpers are type III PFDs, which I think is the same as what you would get in a regular life jacket.
I don't know off the top which life vests we have, and like I said our kids don't like them, so I wouldn't really recommend them!
apricot / 286 posts
My kids used puddle jumpers until they were juuusstt about ready to swim on their own, then I put them in a Swimway Sea Squirt life vest... it forces them to learn the proper position for swimming.. it has a fin on top so I could grab them quick if needed. I like that it has removable floats so they can gradually learn to swim on their own with less support from the vest.
But at 2.5 puddle jumpers were definitely our go to.
ETA: after reading your description of going in lakes , I wouldn’t recommend the sea squirt...it’s more of a swim trainer than a proper life vest
pear / 1718 posts
We have a puddle jumper and I very much dislike it for the reason you mentioned. I recommend a Sterns life vest or Sams and Costco carry nice, high quality life vests.
ETA: Ha! You didn't expliciy say why you don't want a puddle jumper. I do not like it because of the bulk on the arms.
kiwi / 617 posts
@Bluemasonjar: very interesting! I'm worries that because its only on her back, that it would force her onto her stomach and face into the water? A quick google search didn't really provide adequate pictures for me to understand how it works. Amazon has several reviews stating that it what their swim instructors used, so I guess that's a good recommendation!
@hitchhiker: I'm not looking for a true life vest, just a swim vest that will provide a little buoyancy.
@charm55: the sea squirt vest sounds exactly like what I'm looking for! A trainer for swimming, not a life vest.
@SweetCaroline: I don't want the puddle jumper because it is so bulky under the arms, and doesn't allow for proper swim form.
I think everyone mis-understood what I meant by being at a lake.... we will be on the beach, with DD splashing in the water's edge, or swimming with DH and I. We are not on a boat, or jumping into deep water from a raft. I'm trying to find something that I can start to teach her to swim with, and not be completely supported by floaties.
If we were were frequent pool go-ers, then I would get the puddle jumper, because she would consistently be in water over her head.
pear / 1718 posts
Hmm...are you.looking for something like this? We have this and love it.
ToySharing Back Float Safety Swim Bubble with Adjustable Layers Swim Belts Comfortable Waterproof Floaties Device for Kids Weight 55-132 Pounds Swimmi https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBFTM3K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_TD263nDWXsMdp
ETA: We prefer this for spending time at her side in the pool and working on swimming.
I dislike puddle jumpers for the same reason.
coconut / 8472 posts
We have this one and it’s great - Konfidence The Original Children's Swim Jacket (Navy palm, 4-5 years) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UAAIYS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XWV-CbJE3BPFJ
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