Flotation Devices? 🐳

Question

What’s everyone with a just shy of 30lb kiddo doing this summer for floaties??
Last summer and still using the Baby Swim Float by Swimways. It’s for 9-24mos. So I guess she can still use that. It doesn’t list a weight limit 🤷🏻‍♀️

Then I guess next is like a Puddle Jumper or something similar. But those all say 30-50lbs. What do you do if they haven’t quite hit 30lbs but feel they’ve outgrown the baby float?  I guess I can just hold off and keep her in the baby float for the rest of summer. 
Just wondering what everyone else is doing. Annnnnd this is why I like splash parks better 😂 don’t gotta worry about floatation devices!!  
Anyone prefer puddle jumpers vs paddle pals? Trying to see which is better. Maybe it’ll be her Easter gift for next year. 
Puddle Jumper

Paddle Pals (I kinda like how that one actually has a vest too with shoulder straps)

Answer

Omg we love our puddle jumper!! Lil guy did not want to get out of the lake this weekend. He loved the freedom of floating on his own ( with me by his side still of course) but it worked amazingly keeping him upright

Answer

We have one similar to this one

I just dont remember where I got it. She loved it and we were obviously with her at all times but she did feel more confident in it, she would get out and jump into the pool. But since she doesnt know how to balance herself if we weren't with her she would tip forward a little 
And 
We bought one of these the other day to try it out but still havent had a chance to do so.

Answer

We don’t ever allow him away from us at any point in the pool, he’s always within reach, but we use a puddle jumper for both my son and nephew and both are very stable. The only time he loses control is when he floats to his back which is the reason it’s CG approved because it keeps him floating on his back in a bad situation. People often tout them as dangerous because the child gets a false sense of security in the water. I personally think this comes down to parenting. He’s taking swim lessons but doesn’t want to be held the whole time, is not old enough to swim on his own (obviously because he’s 2), and knows he is not allowed near the pool deck without an adult. Not to mention he has to climb a number of steps to be met with a locked gate. I can see the plastic blow up floatie a being dangerous but I’ll continue to use the puddle jumper in conjunction with true swimming lessons. I learned how to properly swim and not just doggy paddle as a lot of critics are saying the puddle jumper promotes after wearing the dangerous plastic ones.

Answer

My kiddo is 25 pounds and we are just using an infant lifejacket that goes up to 30 lbs and floats them on their back. I’ve read that puddle jumpers can be dangerous because it puts them in the drowning position. I’ll try to find some sources that better explain the puddle jumpers but that’s just what I’ve read from the ISR swim teacher that I have on FB!

Answer

My daughter is 28 pounds and 22 months old. I wanted something that allowed her to feel “free” to play, but still kept her above water. I got her a puddle jumper, and it didn’t work well for us at all. She is still too young to really know how to balance herself in the water, so the puddle jumper would make her tip to her back, which is great if they’re drowning, fall in the water, boating accident, etc. but I am always right with her in the water, so I wanted her more upright. I wound up ordering her a swimschool life vest, and it works well. It doesn’t ride up like other life jackets, thanks to the strap between the legs. Still doesn’t keep her totally upright, but again, I’m always with her, so I just hold her straight lol. I think when she gets a little older a puddle jumper will be great! For now, this life jacket gives me peace of mind. 
That being said, the lifevest isn’t coastguard approved, and the puddle jumper is. So keep that in mind.

Answer

This is the float I got for my little one. He loves it. Plus when he is with my brothers they put him in a inflatable ring. It has a front float to keep his chin out of the water

Answer

We have this one and love it! It keeps her head above water and gives her the independence she wants. She loves to swim and doesn't want anybody to hold her. Shes just barely 30 pounds. The back is adjustable.

Flotation Devices? 🐳

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