Hellobee Boards

Try a puddle jumper instead of wings/swimmies. THey have a band that goes across the chest and the arm floats are attached to that.

I used to teach swim lessons. We were told never to use the wings. Because the wings by themselves hold the child in a vertical position with arms out. And they can slip off and the kid goes straight down. I would recommend a life jacket if you don't want to hold them the whole time. These will teach them to lay on the water.

@Mrsbells: Absolutely! These days I see those more than the floaties.

It is actually one thing I wish we had taught our son to tolerate. We started with teaching ISR skills so he has never worn a life jacket. We went to a water park last summer and he refused the life jacket so he couldn't go in the wave pool.

LO started swim lessons at 5 months. We don't put him in wings or anything else. DH holds him.