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Post by Dramaphile on Jun 12, 2017 9:07:59 GMT -6
So, we have an above-ground pool in our backyard, and already Nugget is really excited about swimming in it. We have a baby pool float from last year (one of those parent-and-baby ones) and it's snug around her thighs so I want to get her something else. She really likes when we hold her horizontal like she's swimming, or holding onto pool noodles while I help her float. Should I do a life vest type float, or one she can sit in and then we can take her out and hold her when she wants to swim free? I've heard horror stories of kids who use floaties and go in the pool without them and drown, but our pool is tall and 4-ish feet deep and we'd never let her in there without one of us in, too, and the ladder locks so she can't climb in herself. Anyone have a suggestion?
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Post by brandiewine11 on Jun 12, 2017 9:11:32 GMT -6
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sarenu
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Post by sarenu on Jun 12, 2017 9:23:49 GMT -6
Yes, lessons should be done as soon as possible.
I really liked the full vest at the water park, but it needs to fit snug and im not sure how well it works in deeper water. Puddle jumpers are okay, but they never seem to stay on right.
I think the key is also to always be within reach. Flotation aids are just that, an aid. They can also cause issues. And parents can depend on them too much.
I'm a total helicopt parent when my kids are in water, even small amounts.
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Post by Dramaphile on Jun 12, 2017 10:06:05 GMT -6
I'm looking into local swim lessons, I wish it wasn't so expensive to have someone come to your house! I definitely plan on keeping her within arm's reach, it just would be nice to not have to hold her up the entire time we're in the pool, since at 18 months she's nowhere near actually swimming. We have a pool shop we go to that looked like it had some vest and belt-type options, I'll have to go over there sometime soon and see what is available.
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stringy
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Post by stringy on Jun 12, 2017 12:11:18 GMT -6
I do love the puddle jumper for (grownup hands free) swimming, once they are used to it. Obv still be nearby. It works as well as a life vest. But as brandiewine11, said if it were in my backyard I'd do lots of practice without as well to move towards actual swim/safety skills. |
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Post by brandiewine11 on Jun 12, 2017 13:09:02 GMT -6
I'm looking into local swim lessons, I wish it wasn't so expensive to have someone come to your house! I definitely plan on keeping her within arm's reach, it just would be nice to not have to hold her up the entire time we're in the pool, since at 18 months she's nowhere near actually swimming. We have a pool shop we go to that looked like it had some vest and belt-type options, I'll have to go over there sometime soon and see what is available. I think going to a class is actually much better than having someone at your house. They learn from the other kids too. |
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rugger
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Post by rugger on Jun 12, 2017 13:24:08 GMT -6
I'm looking into local swim lessons, I wish it wasn't so expensive to have someone come to your house! I definitely plan on keeping her within arm's reach, it just would be nice to not have to hold her up the entire time we're in the pool, since at 18 months she's nowhere near actually swimming. We have a pool shop we go to that looked like it had some vest and belt-type options, I'll have to go over there sometime soon and see what is available. I think going to a class is actually much better than having someone at your house. They learn from the other kids too. I agree. And we budget for swim lessons because it's a life skill, not just a hobby |
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stringy
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Post by stringy on Jun 12, 2017 13:38:38 GMT -6
Ok, I forgot how old she is. At 18 months, while lessons and certainly safety are important - she's not going to learn to swim independently this summer unless you find those survival classes where they throw kids in in snow suits and teach them to float.
The puddle jumper also may not fit. But I feel like the belt things also won't keep her head up. FWIW M did fit into her puddle jumper before the 30 lbs easily.
now.....
insert someone's post about how their 22 month old can swim....wait for it.
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Post by Dramaphile on Jun 12, 2017 14:31:22 GMT -6
Ok, I forgot how old she is. At 18 months, while lessons and certainly safety are important - she's not going to learn to swim independently this summer unless you find those survival classes where they throw kids in in snow suits and teach them to float. The puddle jumper also may not fit. But I feel like the belt things also won't keep her head up. FWIW M did fit into her puddle jumper before the 30 lbs easily. now..... insert someone's post about how their 22 month old can swim....wait for it. Nugget is a 21 lb peanut, so that might be stretching it.. I'll take her to the pool shop and see if anything fits her. If not, we might just get a new floaty and use that when I need a break from holding her till she's big enough for a vest of some kind. I figured I didn't need to rush yet on swim lessons since at that age it's mostly getting used to the water, which she already loves. It would probably be good just for the social aspect, though. |
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Post by charlotte on Jun 12, 2017 16:12:30 GMT -6
Does she like the water? I signed DS up for swim lessons last summer when he was 16m and he loathed it-- it ended up basically being a waste of money.
Where we live now doesn't have public pool group lessons until 3, so we will sign him up again next summer and every summer thereafter until he is much older.
We have never used any floaty things, so I guess I'm no help.
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Post by brandiewine11 on Jun 12, 2017 16:46:37 GMT -6
Ok, I forgot how old she is. At 18 months, while lessons and certainly safety are important - she's not going to learn to swim independently this summer unless you find those survival classes where they throw kids in in snow suits and teach them to float. The puddle jumper also may not fit. But I feel like the belt things also won't keep her head up. FWIW M did fit into her puddle jumper before the 30 lbs easily. now..... insert someone's post about how their 22 month old can swim....wait for it. Nugget is a 21 lb peanut, so that might be stretching it.. I'll take her to the pool shop and see if anything fits her. If not, we might just get a new floaty and use that when I need a break from holding her till she's big enough for a vest of some kind. I figured I didn't need to rush yet on swim lessons since at that age it's mostly getting used to the water, which she already loves. It would probably be good just for the social aspect, though. If you don't find anything else, The belt I linked has fit R since 12 months. He used 2 pieces when he was about the size of your daughter. He went to 3 when they fit him. It's definitely something that is not a "safety" aid but he has been able to swim independently with that device since age 2. He's now down to just 1 piece. I still stay within arms reach of course. |
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Post by joyfultrex on Jun 13, 2017 3:19:55 GMT -6
my friend who has taught swimming lessons for years suggested this type of suit to me. www.swimoutlet.com/p/aqua-leisure-boys-1pc-float-suit-(20-55lb)-7531561 she doesn't like anything that adds floatation to their arms like a puddle jumper or swimmies. She wants them to use their arms to swim not float. With her own boys, the youngest basically had to wear this suit anytime they were outside incase of accidents, when he was actually going in the pool then he wore a swim belt to learn to swim. We got that suit for my <1% three year old last year (25ish lbs I think) and it worked well. |
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