As parents, one of the most rewarding experiences can be seeing our little ones take their first steps into the world of water. Whether it’s in a swimming pool, at the beach, or a water park, water activities are a fantastic way for young children to have fun, develop essential swim skills, and build water safety knowledge. However, ensuring their safety in the water is of paramount importance. This guide on swim gear and flotation aids for toddlers can help you make the best decisions to provide your child with a safe and enjoyable experience in the water.
Water Safety for Toddlers
Water safety is the top priority when it comes to children, especially toddlers. Worldwide, drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death among one to four-year-olds. This statistic highlights the importance of equipping our young swimmers with the right clothing and equipment to stay safe in the water.
The Importance of Swim Lessons
Before discussing options for floatation devices and swim aids, it’s worth mentioning that swimming lessons are one of the best ways to improve water safety for toddlers. Enrolling your little one in swim lessons not only teaches them essential swim skills but also instils confidence and knowledge about being in and around water. While swim gear and floatation devices are valuable, they should not be considered a substitute for proper swim lessons.
Enquire at your local pool to see if they have lessons to suit the age and development of your child, and if you can afford it, consider paying for some one-to-one swimming lessons for your child as they get bigger. They will learn much faster with private lessons, and this is a particularly good idea if your child has issues such as a fear of the water or is refusing to put their face in the water.
Safety Features to Consider
As with everything these days, there is an incredible range of swimming gear for kids on the market. When it comes to anything regarding the safety of our children, it’s usually best to stick to reputable brands and take extra care to ensure all equipment being used is up to the required safety standards.
When selecting the best swim gear and flotation aids for your toddler, there are several safety features to keep in mind:
– Adjustable Buckle Straps:
Look for swim gear with adjustable buckle straps to ensure a secure fit and the ability to adapt to your child’s growth.
– Sun Protection:
Swim gear such as rash guards can help protect your child from the sun’s harmful rays, providing both safety and comfort.
– Child-Safe Design:
Ensure that the swim gear you choose is designed with your child’s safety in mind, with no small parts or extra material that could pose a choking or suffocating hazard.
– Buoyancy Aids:
The level of buoyancy provided by the swim gear should match your child’s swimming skills. Ideally, it should aid rather than hinder their progress. Always check the product’s description carefully before purchasing to ensure it will be suitable for your child.
Floatation Devices for Young Children
Floatation devices play a crucial role in water safety for toddlers and can provide that extra layer of protection, especially if your child is not yet a strong swimmer. Let’s explore the best swim gear and flotation aids for your water baby or toddler in 2023:
1. Life Vests/jackets
Life vests are a great option for toddlers and are available in different sizes to ensure a comfortable fit. Some of these vests come with adjustable straps, so you can customize the fit as your child grows. They provide a great way for young children to enjoy the water while maintaining safety. However, be cautious not to rely solely on a life vest as it can give a false sense of security. Always supervise your child closely and remember to give them some time in the water without the flotation vest as well, so they can start getting a sense of their own buoyancy/ability to float in the water. This will help them with learning to swim as they get older.
This vest from Original Konfidence features adjustable buoyancy to suit the child’s needs as they grow:
https://www.konfidence.co.uk/products/the-original-konfidence-jacket?variant=42413641400482&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuqKqBhDxARIsAFZELmLsXKM1jwmr72nQ768YSqUP1urX7DVR8Og4bgh1805p2mapyWWuIroaAp-cEALw_wcB
2. Swim Floaties/armbands
Swim floaties, or armbands, are popular among toddlers, often featuring bright colours and a simple design. They are either in the form of disks made of foam or are inflatable and fit snuggly on the child’s upper arms to offer extra buoyancy. Armbands may not provide as much freedom of movement in the water as other options, and some people believe they can hamper a child’s ability to learn to swim/slow them down in the learning process. However, there is no doubt that they can offer vital reassurance to parents who need to ensure their children are safely buoyant in the water while they swim/play more independently. They are not recommended as the only source of buoyancy for children who are not yet strong swimmers, and other forms of flotation device, such as a pool noodle, should be used as well as armbands for these children.
These Batman armbands will delight any superhero fan:
These flotation discs work like armbands and are similar to the ones used by given to the children at our local pool during their swimming lessons (they use these and a pool noodle to start with):
3. Float Suits:
Float suits combine the comfort of a swimsuit with the added safety of buoyancy aids. They are a great option for young kids who want to move freely/have more independence in the water while maintaining some level of safety.
These float suits from Splash About come in a range of sizes and colours:
https://www.splashabout.com/learn-to-swim/floatsuit.html
4. Infant Pool Floats:
Designed for children at a very early age, infant pool floats offer a soft mesh seat to keep your baby safe and comfortable in the water. They are a great choice for introducing really little children to the joys of swimming. Remember that very little children in a pool float should always be closely monitored by an adult in the water who is ever further than arm’s length at all times.
The SwimBuddy swim support is an excellent option as it comes with straps for extra security and a sun shade to protect very young skin from harmful rays.
5. ‘Free’ Floats
Children hold on to free floats rather than sitting in them or being attached to them. They are good for encouraging children who are more confident in the water to lengthen their bodies either on their fronts or their backs on the surface of the water and can help them learn to swim on their backs when they hold them tight to their chests:
These inexpensive Christy Harrell floats come in a range of different colours:
5. The Best Swim Floaties for a “Little Swimmer”
For older children who are strong swimmers, the need for floatation devices is reduced, but they can still provide an extra layer of security. Swim floaties, such as inflatable armbands, can be a great choice for kids who are confident in the water. They allow a child to have some extra buoyancy if they need it, providing peace of mind for parents. Additionally, they come in a variety of bright colours and fun designs, making them a popular choice among young swimmers.
Parents of young kids who are more confident in the water could also consider getting them a SwimFin. Designed for children between the ages of 3 and 6, this buoyancy aid is worn high up on the child’s back above the centre of gravity and suspends them in the water. The SwimFin gives children a safe and secure feeling in the water and leaves their arms free to learn their swim strokes whilst inspiring imagination and play. An added bonus is that it never has to be inflated/deflated. I’ve seen lots of children enjoying swimming with these, and they’re so fun that their parents never have to persuade them to put them. What kid wouldn’t want their very own shark fin?!
If you do decide to opt for a SwimFin for your child, this video shows you how to correctly fit it on them in under 60 seconds!
6. Pool noodles
While very simple in its design, the humble pool noodle is an excellent choice of flotation device to use on its own (for more confident kids) or together with armbands (for younger kids or kids who are new to swimming). They come in a range of colours and are easy to transport to and from the pool. Many swimming pools provide their own, so it might be worth checking to find out.
You might decide that two short noodles (or ‘woggles’) are better for your child to learn to swim with. This video from Puddle Ducks shows how this is done:
7. Swim Goggles for Water Activities
In addition to floatation aids, swim goggles are also a valuable piece of swim gear for toddlers. They allow your child to see underwater, making their swimming experience more enjoyable. Swim goggles come in various sizes, often designed specifically for children. They are an essential item for kids learning to swim and explore the underwater world.
8. Sun Safe Swimming Gear
While this doesn’t apply to swimming in indoor pools in the UK, it’s worth buying your child a swimming costume or swimming vest/shorts with added protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. The best choice for water play in full sun either on holiday or in paddling pools in the garden during summer are outfits with long sleeves. Remember to also give your child a hat when they’re in the sun.
Check out my guide to the best toddler hats for 2023 here:
https://www.enjoyeveryminute.co.uk/post/11-of-the-best-sun-hats-for-your-toddler-for-2023
Water Safety Devices for All Ages
Water safety devices are not limited to toddlers. They are available for children of all ages, although in the case of older kids who are confident swimmers, swim gear may not be as essential. However, it’s always a good idea to have some safety devices on hand, especially when visiting water parks or engaging in water activities where supervision may not be as constant.
Conclusion
In 2023, there are plenty of options when it comes to the best swim gear and flotation aids for toddlers. Water safety should always be the top priority when introducing young children to swimming and water activities. While floatation devices are an important part of this, they should complement, not replace, proper swim lessons and constant supervision.
Equip your little swimmers with the best swim gear and flotation aids, and they’ll have a great time in the water while staying safe and developing important swim skills. Whether it’s a toddler life jacket, swim floaties, or swim goggles, these tools can provide peace of mind and ensure a fun and safe water experience for your child.
Never leave children unsupervised in the water, no matter how confident they are at swimming, and always remember that just because they have floating aids to help them, this doesn’t automatically mean that your child is completely safe in the water. It doesn’t take a lot of water for a child to drown, so always be highly vigilant when your child is in or around water.
Links and Resources
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers/water-safety/water-safety-for-little-explorers
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