Does the Puddle Jumper fall right off your littlest one? Here’s another solution.
By now, all of our closets (or wherever you keep your swim gear) are likely full of Puddle Jumpers, especially after lots of you took advantage of a Between Carpools Deals We Love last month and nabbed them for $10.99.
Two years ago, when my youngest two were 4 and 6, Puddle Jumpers gave me so much peace of mind. But it’s not going to work for me now. It’s meant for kids over 30 pounds, and while it might fit some children that are a little smaller, it falls right off of my current almost 2-year-old.
I ordered this tube after I saw my friend’s 2-year-old son jumping into the pool with it. No luck, it was still too big on my more petite girly.
While I’ve been trying to time pool time with her naps so I could avoid the worry, she’d outsmart me and shout “pool” whenever the other kids are getting ready to go swimming.
Enter the Stearns Infant Life Vest.
This is the only item I’ve found that’s meant for the babies that are big enough to run around the pool area, but not big enough for the other solutions. It also supports the head, so they can lie on their back and float. It’s also super sturdy and high quality. Finally. My eyes still won’t leave my 2-year-old when we’re by the pool, but at least I can now relax and enjoy the time we spend there. It’s also a great idea to keep this on any baby that’s able to get around on their own, even if you don’t plan to take them in the pool.
Headed to the pool? Here are some pool essentials you can’t leave home without.
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Such a useful post. It’s like having a good friend who gives you all the answers when you’re wondering what to get…
Safest way to go is floaties. You can blow them up on the kids arm so they are TIGHT. Added advantage is that the child can learn to swim while they are not bogged down by a life jacket or puddle jumper. I find those are so over bearing and raise the kids out of the water instead of inside…
Also floaties can stay on the ENTIRE time the child is in the pool AREA. A tube comes off while they are snacking.
I never post comments, I just like to read but I feel the need to respond here.
As a lifeguard for over a decade I can assure you that BLOW UP FLOATIES are NOT A SAFE option. More than once I have seen a floatie pop or a floatie fall off of a child. These are the children I have had to jump in for. Unless a life-vest or puddle jumper is approved they should NEVER be used. Also please realize that none of these options are ideal, they give parents the feeling of safety but in reality this is a false sense of security. Please take my advice and only use approved devices and even when using them don’t rely on them- never be farther than an arms length from your child.
I use the infant puddle jumper for my babies. It’s great!
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Can’t agree more!! Also a licensed lifeguard and am wondering for years why tubes are even manufactured. THEY ARE UNSAFE!! I have seen many children, even those who know how to swim well, almost drowning while trying to get out of the tube.
Hi! another lifeguard here!
The reason blow ups are so dangerous, if the tube loses a bit of air, the child can fall forward, and Chas Veshulem, you don’t wanna know what can happen next.
Because the tube is still inflated in the back, its extremally hard, if not impossible to get the face out of the water and back into an upright position.
And that’s why I would prefer a puddle jumper over any other floating device, because it gives you the support only in the front. So the child doesn’t have to work hard to keep their face out of the water. No balancing act involved.
And as with any floating device, use ONLY WITH ADULT SUPERVISION!!!!!
Have a fun and safe summer!!