Swimming with a toddler

[meganew]

We need to get Ollie something for the pool this summer, but I feel like I can't find anything for his age. Last year he had one of those things they sit in with the sun visor and all, but I feel like he might be too old for that now. Everything else I've found is starting at 3 years. 

He's 22 months, 28 lbs, loves the water (like, will try to put his head in)- what do you suggest? what did your kids have?

[Deleted]

hmmmmm I think he's old enough but maybe doesn't weigh enough for a puddle jumper? Check those out though.

[papie]

Honestly, we just hold Sophia in the pool. She also practices jumping in out arms from the side. And she sits in the stairs. We have a bubble (back floater) but last summer she was too young for it, as the kids need to be able to hold themselves steady for the bubble to help them.

If you really want something, I'd get him a life jacket.

[luckyval]

How old is he?

We started Hart on the Puddle Jumper last summer at 20-22 mos. old. He still uses it now and it gives him more independence than a sit-in float

[softspot]

I'm curious about this too. Last year he loved the boat with the canopy like you described. This year he will not sit in anything & only wants me to hold him. All the vests/suits we've tried have just made him too top heavy & he's flipped over.

I don't want to hold him all damn summer. My O is much bigger than yours (33lbs at 18months) so I've thought about a puddle jumper but I don't think he's there intellectually yet.

[papie]

Jun 27, 2013 15:36:15 GMT -5 Que? said:

Jun 27, 2013 15:34:04 GMT -5 papie said:

Honestly, we just hold Sophia in the pool. She also practices jumping in out arms from the side. And she sits in the stairs. We have a bubble (back floater) but last summer she was too young for it, as the kids need to be able to hold themselves steady for the bubble to help them.

If you really want something, I'd get him a life jacket.

Wtf is with them and sitting on the stairs? G logs a lot of pool time hanging on the stairs. 

I know.  By august I can't stand those stupid stairs anymore and go crazy.  GET IN THE WATER. 

[meganew]

and a puddle jumper has just been ordered! Thanks all!

has anyone used one of those vests with the bubble thing around the middle? It goes over the shoulders and between the legs? That's the other one I was looking at.

[chickadee77]

I'm late to this, and see you already ordered something, but if you need something in the meantime, my nephews loved the springfloat kid thing. m.target.com/p/swimways-baby-spring-float/-/A-11128054 You can usually find it in-store.

[Deleted]

We just bought a lifejacket for L, which I haven't used yet. I like that puddle jumper thing, though- I might get one!

[Deleted]

Boo, the puddle jumpers are for 30+ lbs

[sake]

Jun 27, 2013 15:40:39 GMT -5 meganew said:

and a puddle jumper has just been ordered! Thanks all!

has anyone used one of those vests with the bubble thing around the middle? It goes over the shoulders and between the legs? That's the other one I was looking at.

What are these called?

[mushmouse]

Jun 27, 2013 18:35:35 GMT -5 @jezebel said:

Boo, the puddle jumpers are for 30+ lbs

You're going to be right there every second, right?  My son will be 3 in August.  People comment on how heavy/solid he is - he's 33 lbs now and we used a puddle jumper last summer.  It is basically something to grab onto because they are so slippery you can't hold them.  So you can use them with caution  but you should be using caution anyway.  That being said I wish we had gotten a vest instead.  I thought vests were bad for some reason but my sister used to give swim lessons and said vests are better because they let them use their arms.

[peachykate]

Jun 27, 2013 18:35:35 GMT -5 @jezebel said:

Boo, the puddle jumpers are for 30+ lbs

Jax is only 26 pounds and a shortie, the puddle jumper works great for him.

[meganew]

Jun 27, 2013 18:35:46 GMT -5 sake said:

Jun 27, 2013 15:40:39 GMT -5 meganew said:

and a puddle jumper has just been ordered! Thanks all!

has anyone used one of those vests with the bubble thing around the middle? It goes over the shoulders and between the legs? That's the other one I was looking at.

What are these called?

I have no idea- but I know they exist! Somewhere!

OBX was such a magnificent failure last year that I'm not against buying 12 different floaties, bringing 3 different pack n plays, and letting him eat cookies all week. Kid will sleep, enjoy the water, and eat something. God dammit.

[Deleted]

L is only about 23-24 lbs, so I'll probably wait on the puddle jumper. I already spent money getting the vest anyway. Next summer!

[lolc]

My son had this when he was a toddler and LOVED it (swimsafe floatsuit) www.amazon.com/Swimsafe-Floatsuit-Green-Yellow-Size/dp/B001W7XZAW/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1372393748&sr=1-2&keywords=toddler+swimsuit

though it didn't hold him up as well as I would have liked. It kept him above water but for awhile there I had him wearing the floatsuit AND using arm-floaties (the $2 variety at target)

My daughter has been using a swim vest like this www.amazon.com/Stearns-Girls-Hydroprene-Life-Jacket/dp/B003644ON6/ref=sr_1_17?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1372393562&sr=1-17&keywords=stearns+infant+life+jacket since last summer (before she was 2 years old). It says 30-50 pounds but she is still not yet 30 pounds and it works very well for her.