What Are the Best Floaties to Use?

Updated on April 23, 2008
M.B. asks from Reading, MA
4 answers

Good Morning ladies. Hope all is well. So swimming season is fast approaching and in the past I had used floaties that my son sits in the center of and just floats around kicking his feet. At the beach he never went in farther then his ankles. But this year we have been going to the YMCA here and there and he has become quite the swimmer and a little more fearless then I would like...
My question. Which floats are the best to use now that he wants to swim? I have tried the back bubble one and the ones that go on the arms(so difficult to get on and off) I have seen the ones that are like little life jackets but have not tried them yet.

Thanks!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you everyone :)

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.B.

answers from Boston on

Hi M.,

I also think the arm floats are difficult to use. I have found the vest kind are better and easier to use and swim in. All three of my kids have used them and find it easier and more comfortable.

Hope this helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Boston on

Back bubbles really are the best as they allow the kids to use their arms as they would when swimming. I have heard to stay away from the arm floaties sinc ethey really can't use their arms at all.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Boston on

We found a wonderful floatie - more like a bubble - for our daughter. we got it in the one step ahead catalog and what we loved about it is that you can gradually make it less and less floatie until they are swimming independently. You remove these foam sheets from inside. It has a belt that goes in between her legs and it otherwsie a bit like a vest. We have not used it yet, granted, but it looks ingenious!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Boston on

Hello, I have 2 kids swimming, 4 and 5, and I have always used the arms swimmies. Just the cheap ones at Walmart are fine. As long as you wet them before you attempt to put them on, they slip right on. I don't recommend the fabric ones because they get too loose in the water and fall right off.
Toys R Us also sells a float that they step into that is pretty good. It is a learn to swim float that the layers inside can be taken out as they get to be a better swimmer.
I tried life jackets, but all that would happen is my kids would just kind of bob around in the water. It held them up too much and they couldn't get their legs behind them to kick.
Hope this helps!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions