flotation devices: one size/style does not fit all

As part of my never-ending quest to keep my many children safe at the pool in the summer, I'm constantly both trying new flotation devices and stalking other people's children to see how they work.  Honestly, more than one mom has probably thought I'm a weirdo for sidling up and dropping the line, "Does that precious little one belong to you?  How do you like the pod/floaties/life jacket?"

As I've posted before on water safety, when my Bunch was under 2, I was not messing around safety-wise, and I had everyone in life jackets - like the kind you wear when you're sailing around the world by yourself.  Although a little bit bulky/restrictive, these are great once the kid hits the lower weight limit for a "regular" life jacket, as opposed to the infant one.  Unfortunately, the infant life jackets are designed to flip babies on their backs, which means that your baby will find himself stuck like a turtle on his shell, all the while rotating like a chicken on a rotisserie.  While my oldest (a true adventurer) actually got a kick out of this infant X-Games swimming event, it really ticked the other boys off, sending me on a search for a new flotation device.

For tiny infants, the circular mesh (or inflatable) swim floats are nice, giving you a place to "park" them and free up your hands.  You can even buy fancy ones that have sun shade roofs and keep your little ones well-shaded.  But beware - while they free up your hands from baby, always have one hand on the float at all times.  All three of my boys managed to crawl right out of it at one point or another - even when they were far under the suggested age use limit.

This summer, for the first time, I've gone old-school with floaties.  Despite their time-tested prevalence, I've never felt like floaties were particularly safe, feeling like their buoyancy varies depending on brand (sometimes leaving baby's mouth right at water level) and worrying they could slip right off.  But this summer, with a 2-year old who refuses to do the baby float and is too young for the "upright" life jacket, but too active to just docilely play on the stairs and sit in my arms, I turned to floaties in desperation.  They've worked just great because A) they do not fall off and B) my little guy doesn't care if he drinks half a pool when he swims.

Right after I bought my floaties, I saw this nifty gadget at the beach - Puddle Jumpers, a seemingly safer floatie/jacket combo version!  I've never used one myself, but stalked two mom users to get the inside scoop and they get rave reviews.  If I was doing it all over again (and if summer wasn't almost already over for us), I'd get this.

Another option is the pod.  I had one and gave it away because we went directly from straight life jackets to independent swimming freedom, but the friend I gave it to uses it for her son with great success.  It allows a little more freedom than a life jacket, but provides decent buoyancy and support.  I'm not sure I'd use it on a two-year old, but it's great for the 3 and up set.  Unfortunately, I came by it several years ago and can't even find it on line anymore, so maybe it's not as great as I think it is?

So there you have it, friends.  My guide to flotation devices after 6 summers of parenting babies and toddlers at the pool.  I'm happy to say that despite my earlier fears about flotation devices becoming crutches and growing up to have a bunch of 16-year olds in floaties, the Bigs are absolute fishies this summer, and Baby is not that far behind.  I'm thinking that I'm two summers, max, away from sitting poolside carefree with my People mag while my crew splashes independently in the water.  And I have the complete continuum of (increasingly less restrictive) flotation devices to thank for that.  I know I've missed some, so let us know what your favorites are!

Comments

[Lindsey]

I agree that the puddle jumpers are awesome on my 2.5 year old. I got mine at Walmart for $12 on sale, which is awesome in and of itself.

[Shell]

We got puddle jumpers this summer and they have been such a huge help!

[JessPond]

Puddle Jumpers rock. Seriously. We've been using them two summers now for our NOW 2.5 and 3yo's and they worked LAST summer easily at 1.5 and 2. Lovely.

[Diane]

Just wanted to mention the idea of a sling for an infant or even a toddler. Kangaroo Korner makes a ring sling and I believe Hotslings does a mesh pouch. My 16-month-old has been slinging it in the pool for over a year and it works well for all involved - I can keep one hand on her and have one free for the preschooler

[childrens jackets]

One way parents can deal with this is by using an infant life jacket. These life vest are specifically designed and approved for use with infants.

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