I am looking into buying some kind of float or life vest for my daughter this summer. She will be between 8 and 10 months during most of the summer -- so basically just learning to crawl. I plan to spend some time swimming in my in-laws pool with my daughter. I am kind of clueless as to what flotation devices would work best for her. One note -- she is a very skinny baby -- long, but skinny. Thanks!
We have this floatie device that is a big circle and has a seat in the center for them to float in.
This is exactly what we have!
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Spring-Float-by-Swimways/dp/B0...
This is not really about flotation devices. However, I recommend a class such as infant swim. This class teaches babies to roll on to their backs and float if they should happen to fall in the water. I know of a good teacher. They do lessons 10 minutes a day for 4 days a week. She has taught my friends two year old to swim, my five year old, and will be teaching my 11 month old to float this summer. She can teach infants that are quite young. I highly recommend this. http://www.infantaquatics.com/panzer-michelle.htm
About Me: Working mother of a boy (5) and a girl (11 mos). Married for 7 1/2 years--moved to Dallas area this year.
you can buy an infant lifejacket..one that is coastguard approved..they are the safest, and they have some reallyc ute ones!
I just researched this and found one that got GREAT reviews by Swimways. They have different "stages" and this one is designed for 9 - 24 months. I bought one yesterday at Target. At Target, they had all the designs listed on the website, and they all had the attachable canopy included. You can read all the reviews on amazon. It's the best one I found. Here's the website:
http://swimways.com/teachmetoswim/step-1.asp
Good luck!
A.
There really aren't any good ones for a child that age. I know, because my daughter was in the same age bracket last summer and I couldn't find anything! We just wound up holding her when we were in our pool.
The Swimways floats are wonderful, but this is really an 'odd' stage for your little one. Floaties and/or lifevest just aren't safe at this age and usually don't come that small. When my son was this age, he spent lots of time in my arms or the Swimways float. He also enjoyed another float that was in the shape of a boat (can't think if the brand), which we got at Target as well.
Have fun with your little swimmer :)
I highly recommend infant survival swim lessons such as ISR which I believe others mentioned before. They aren't cheap but well worth it. Floatation devices really shouldn't be used if at all possible. If you plan on spending lots of time at your inlaws now and in the future, your child should learn these survivial skills - floating in the event she falls in and no one is looking. You think it won't happen to you but so do the tons of other parents out where there has been an accident. My daughter did ISR and I have still and video footage if you are interested. Let me know.
Jennifer, I would advise against flotations because of the false sense of security they give. Please go to www.youtube.com and search for ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) and watch the video of Miles. I am very familiar with the program and you can learn more about it by going to their website www.infantswim.com. My daughter is an instructor in Seattle and I do not know what instructor would be closest to you. On the website you can put in your zip code and find the closest instructor. They will begin with infants as young as 6 mos. and your child is in the water with the instructor for 10 minutes (max) a day for usually 6-7 weeks (until they have the skill needed for their age). I think you will be excited to learn about the program and find it very compelling...you can read stories of various children on the website. That's my best advice.
