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Read articles and information about toddler stages of development and caring for toddlers in our Toddler section:
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Swimming with toddlers

mini mac View Member Profile	21/11/2012, 09:47 AM Post #1
Posts: 380 Joined: 14-October 11
Member
Which swimming device do you think is better/easier for a toddler in the water... The floatie arms or the swim vest?

MissM86 View Member Profile	21/11/2012, 11:20 AM Post #2
Posts: 235 Joined: 1-January 11
Member
I'm not an expert but I have seen a child wearing a vest and the vest was pushing the child's head forward at the back and forcing his mouth into the water so that has really put me off them. The mother couldn't see this happening as she was behind him. So dangerous!

Escapin View Member Profile	21/11/2012, 11:25 AM Post #3
Posts: 2,746 Joined: 19-November 10
Advanced Member
Neither. Just gives them (and worse, you) a false sense of security. Sorry.

crackles View Member Profile	21/11/2012, 11:33 AM Post #4
Posts: 216 Joined: 14-November 07
Member
neither but if i had to choose a correctly fitting vest

TopsyTurvy View Member Profile	21/11/2012, 11:57 AM Post #5
Posts: 1,945 Joined: 3-November 10
Advanced Member
We have a small swum ring and floaties. DS loves the freedom it given him in the pool to play with DH & I. Like anything it's all about adequate supervision.

mini mac View Member Profile	21/11/2012, 01:09 PM Post #6
Posts: 380 Joined: 14-October 11
Member
QUOTE (MissM86 @ 21/11/2012, 09:20 AM) I'm not an expert but I have seen a child wearing a vest and the vest was pushing the child's head forward at the back and forcing his mouth into the water so that has really put me off them. The mother couldn't see this happening as she was behind him. So dangerous! ^This is why I was asking^ Sorry to get defensive here, but I wasn't looking for 'false sense of security' and I do realise that any floaties/vests etc aren't a replacement of supervision. I was hoping someone may have seen something that worked really well because as mentioned, the only ones I can think of are awkward and dangerous and just want something to 'lighten my load' in the water and give him a bit freedom to move while learning to swim. Maybe I should've thought a bit more and reworded my original entry to get a more helpful answer... Small ring and floaties sound good, guess we'll give them a try. Thanks This post has been edited by minimac: 21/11/2012, 01:10 PM

gasgirl View Member Profile	21/11/2012, 01:11 PM Post #7
Posts: 516 Joined: 2-March 05
Regular Member
a noodle shaped as a U that they can rest their arms over is a useful aid

amesv View Member Profile	21/11/2012, 01:12 PM Post #8
Posts: 560 Joined: 12-July 11
Regular Member
I think the swim vest works better than the arm floaties, my DS prefers to wear a vest or sit in a ring than have the large floaties on his arm.

nen-c View Member Profile	21/11/2012, 01:22 PM Post #9
Posts: 953 Joined: 28-November 09
Regular Member
At our swim school they use arm floaties and the back floats that clip on around their tummy (done up low and tight). The teachers discourage the use of the vests (finds them dangerous) and as soon as the child learns to paddle a bit the arm floaties are removed. I have a sit-in ring, but find it is only good when they are quite little, toddlers can tip it over too easily.

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