Swim Vest for 1 Yr. Old?

I teach swim lessons and as a American Red Cross Instructor I can tell you that the best place to go for a swim vest is a marine store. They offer US Coast Guard approved vests that are designed to flip a child over to their back if they were to fall in the water. They are great because they allow the child to adjust to the water in a safe and secure way. I hope that this helps.

I agree with Johanna S. I have used the ones that have a swim suit attached and absolutely love them. In fact, I purcahsed one for my 9 month old and he weighs 20 pounds and it fits great. Plus if your around the pool alot you can feel save in knowing that if your child happens to slip she will be safe. When my older son was younger I wore one on him when we were near the creek because if he was throwing rocks in the water I knew he would be ok if he happened to wander in too deep.

I hope this helps.

J. W

We used a speedo vest for my son for months. It's not a boating-type of vest and he loved it. He's been taking swimming classes at the Y since 6 months and the bubbles they had were never worked for him (his bottom half is too floaty) I teach the classes and I let parents borrow our vest if the child was having trouble staying vertical in the water. It worked well on most, but I had a tiny kid it just didn't fit. Mine was a hand-me-down, but I did see the exact same one at Target.

You can see a picture of it on speedo's website.

Good Luck!

Hi Kali!

My sister in law found a really cool bathing suit that has a life vest that attaches to the suit itself. It is not bulky at all and the suit is two piece (like a tankini) so it still covers everything but makes potty time or diaper changes much easier. She found it at Lands End last year but I would imagine they have them again this year.

Good Luck!!

C. K When my children were small I used a bathing suit with the swimmy thing built right in. Kids know how to manage around the bulkyness of the suit. The peace of mind that goes along with kids wearing that kind of suit is great especially if you are around a pool all the time. So the investment is well worth it. Good luck have a great summer.

I don't have a recommendation for a good one but I had one that I'd stay away from now. It was like 2 rectangular floaties, one in front of the baby and one in back, attached with a strap down through the crotch and laced up on the sides. It was real easy on and off and her arms were still free, but in the water she couldn't stay upright. It either pushed her forward or backward.

Hi! i have never bought the one you mentioned,but however i do buy this one every yr and it works great. {{{http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?}}}productId=233.... My kids was all one when i bought it and learned to swim all by themself with this suit. every other one i tried ended up in there chin or neck causing bruises and soreness. I just got it again this yr for my 16 month old and she loves it she jumps in all by herself and it doesn't knock her under at all.I hope the link works for you i got mine at toysrus.I also wear her suit right under it i don't change them. my girl she goes 30 pounds and it fits perfect

When my son was little, I bought a Speedo polywog suit. It is one that is instead of a bathing suit not over a bathing suit but we loved it! I think it looked more bulky to us than it felt to him.

C.,
I just wanted to add personally a VERY important thought after having read all the responses you got. PLEASE DON'T THINK that just because your child is wearing this kind of swimmy or polywog vest you can leave her alone for ONE SECOND in a pool. They are not safe for leaving kids unattended. The floaties DO cause them to go forward (face down) or backwards in the water. The idea of them is NOT to put them in water and the kids are good to go!
I failed to (and didn't see anyone else specifically) mention this. You still need to be holding your kid in water all the time until they can swim on their own. Kids can drown in an inch or two of water and you need to be vigilant at all times!

Hi, just my 2cents... I'd stay away from the vest/swimsuit in one combo. I put one of those on my 22 month old son and off we went to the baby pool. Although it didn't topple him over, he lost his balance in the baby pool and after flopping over face first he started floating and couldn't right himself! Fortunately I was close by and all was well, but the image him flailing and floating in the water is one I'll never forget! That night I ripped the floaties out of the suit, and only then let him wear it again. It was great as a little swimsuit without the floaties, though. Had UV protection, etc.

I have really liked the Speedo swimvests for my kids. They carry them at Target. For that young you have to get the smallest one they offer and sometimes that can be hard to find. My kids are small, but we used them even when they were little.