Which swim device?

[Deleted]

I am gonna hit up Target after work so nothing super special I'd have to order online.

Gonna try the indoor hotel pool this weekend.

B is 11.5 months old.

Has to fit in my overnight bag.

Should I get something that goes on his body or a float? If a float, should I get one that his legs go through or he sits on top of?

[arch01]

Why not just hold him? I'm not trying to be a smartass, but at that point babies are a bit too big for the floats and a bit too small for some sort of body device (unless it's an infant life jacket).

[Deleted]

May 15, 2014 9:58:50 GMT -5 arch01 said:

Why not just hold him? I'm not trying to be a smartass, but at that point babies are a bit too big for the floats and a bit too small for some sort of body device (unless it's an infant life jacket).

I wanted him to feel secure I guess. He gets fussy being held now that he's mobile so I figured he'd be the same way in the pool. Good point though.

[arch01]

May 15, 2014 10:03:57 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

May 15, 2014 9:58:50 GMT -5 arch01 said:

Why not just hold him? I'm not trying to be a smartass, but at that point babies are a bit too big for the floats and a bit too small for some sort of body device (unless it's an infant life jacket).

I wanted him to feel secure I guess. He gets fussy being held now that he's mobile so I figured he'd be the same way in the pool. Good point though.

Has he been in a pool before? Most kids won't last too terribly long in a pool at that age. 

I'm willing to bet that being held in the pool will be a non-issue...mainly because it's something different/new. You can give him a bit more "freedom" by holding him to your side, belly down, and let him splash around while you walk him through the pool... it gives him the perception of being a bit more independent. Most hotel pools will have large steps that he could sit on too with you right there, where he can splash away.

[Deleted]

We took him in twice last summer so he was really young. He hated it both times but those pools weren't heated. Thanks!

[brooklyn]

I'm doing swimming lessons with J now, and he clings to me like a barnacle, no other floatations devices needed

[galaxy8227]

I don't think we used anything for DS until last summer (he was almost 2) and we used a puddle jumper. But I don't think they would work on someone that young. I would also try holding him for now.

[Deleted]

I never used anything with DS until this year when he's big enough for a Puddle Jumper. He was either in my arms or in the super shallow water where he could walk and splash.

[frlcb]

I agree that at his age it is probably best to hold him or use a float he can sit in, while holding it. Get one like this: www.sunplay.com/Swimways-Baby-Spring-Float-with-Canopy-11606-p/11606.htm?1=1&CartID=0

But we just had a story of a 4 year old girl who drowned in our city with lots of people around her and so I am feeling pretty hyper-vigilant about water safety right now.

[wilbs]

DS (10 months) had his first swim class last weekend. A lot of the babies, including DS, liked holding onto the noodle and being pulled along with that.

[loskadoodle]

We have this one. DS still fits in it at almost 2. www.target.com/p/baby-spring-float-sun-with-canopy/-/A-15125575#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=baby+float

He alternates wanting to be held, wanting to run around or sit on the stairs and play, and sitting in there.

BTW - You blow this up, so should squish down small enough.

[redheadk]

We had one of those float with canopy things last year and it worked great. Dd loved it. We also got a cheap inflatable version without a canopy at target on clearance for a dollar. We've used it so much because we can fold it up pretty small and don't care if something happens to it.

[babyrn]

May 15, 2014 10:23:05 GMT -5 loskadoodle said:

We have this one. DS still fits in it at almost 2. www.target.com/p/baby-spring-float-sun-with-canopy/-/A-15125575#prodSlot=medium_1_3&term=baby+float

He alternates wanting to be held, wanting to run around or sit on the stairs and play, and sitting in there.

BTW - You blow this up, so should squish down small enough.

We have this one as well and it works great. DD loves it and it is nice because we could set toys on there too for her to play with.

Obviously you will still want to hold on to it but it made it easier than holding her the whole time.

[iheartbanjos]

May 15, 2014 10:16:28 GMT -5 frlcb said:

I agree that at his age it is probably best to hold him or use a float he can sit in, while holding it. Get one like this: www.sunplay.com/Swimways-Baby-Spring-Float-with-Canopy-11606-p/11606.htm?1=1&CartID=0

But we just had a story of a 4 year old girl who drowned in our city with lots of people around her and so I am feeling pretty hyper-vigilant about water safety right now.

We had one like this and it's perfect for that age.  Have fun!

[londoncalling]

May 15, 2014 13:15:02 GMT -5 iheartbanjos said:

May 15, 2014 10:16:28 GMT -5 frlcb said:

I agree that at his age it is probably best to hold him or use a float he can sit in, while holding it. Get one like this: www.sunplay.com/Swimways-Baby-Spring-Float-with-Canopy-11606-p/11606.htm?1=1&CartID=0

But we just had a story of a 4 year old girl who drowned in our city with lots of people around her and so I am feeling pretty hyper-vigilant about water safety right now.

We had one like this and it's perfect for that age.  Have fun!

We have this one too, and used it last year when DD2 was 15-18 months.  She fit in it just fine.

[cinco]

Last Summer DD2 was 18m, and I just held her in the pool. If she was in a float I had to be right there anyway. It felt safer and easier, esp. since I had to be able to react to the other 2 kids.

[readyin07]

I would get him a swim float like the canopied ones suggested. I live in florida where early swimming is a necessity and all the instructors we have frown upon assisted swim devices like floaties and puddle jumpers (unless for something like boating). There are exceptions - if I take my kids to our water park alone I will put my 2yo in a life jacket as a precaution but when we are in the pool alone I hold him.