Water Safety with Baby
When GlitterGirl was little we used one of those Level One Swimschool boats. They were handy, but you had to keep your hands on them at all times or they would flip over.
Swimways has now made something much safer. There are two blow up rings, one around the baby and one on the outside, and the center of gravity is much lower. You still have to stay right there with them as it is possible for them to lift themselves up and try to get out, but the danger of them flipping over is now gone. (I’ve seen these at Target and Walmart for about the same price, if you want one.)
We have tried GlitterGirl’s old vest on Twinkletoes and it’s way too big for her. Her arms aren’t big enough for swimmies yet, either. Does anyone know of any swim aids out there designed for the two year old crowd that will fit a six or nine month old child? The Spring Float is great for getting used to the water and for playing in the water safely – but I think she needs to be getting some experience moving around in the water, too.
I liked the arm float swimmies the best for GlitterGirl, too bad they don’t make them in teensy weensy sizes.
The picture is not me and GlitterGirl – it’s the picture off of the Swimways site.
June 16th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I don’t have kids (yet!) but I love taking my nieces and nephews to the pool! My sister has used the aquatic tot trainer and flotation suits from http://www.onestepahead.com. Hope that helps!
June 16th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Ooops!!! The correct link is:
http://www.onestepahead.com/home.jsp
June 16th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
RQ — I have the same issue as you. It actually sounds like our kids are about the same age. My little BumbleBee, like your TwinkleToes is a tiny tot. It’s pretty funny because she has a big head and this little body to go with it. So far this summer, I have used a flotation device similar to the one in the picture. Although the one in the picture looks more stable, so I’m going to try to find that one. I’ve tried the vest — way way too big. Also, little BumbleBee doesn’t like it too much. My biggest aim for this season is just to get her used to having fun in the water. I’ll let you know if I see anything in Target when I go this week. I’m heading to MD this summer and definitely want to get a few things before we go. It’s all about swimming!!!!
June 17th, 2007 at 2:06 am
I just stumbled on a recent news article today referring to June 2007 issue of Pediatrics [Journal?] says “The recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics is no swimming in young children under three years old” due the risk of asthma from breathing the fumes from the chemical reaction of chlorine. Apparently under age three lungs are still developing and particularly fragile, but it sounds like the fumes can be a hazard to anyone exposed to it. Some articles specify INDOOR pools are now discouraged for young children (presumably because the fumes can’t escape), others don’t distinguish between indoor and outdoor.
Lovely. We have a chlorinated pool in our backyard…
http://www.brilliantbaby.com/
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/HealthScout/070604/6060417AU.html
http://www.envronozone.com/
Karyn
Mom to Olivia, 4, home for 3 months now :)
http://www.emilyAndOliviaUpdates.blogspot.com
June 17th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I used one with my son when he was 15 months old. He loved it. He could splash around in the mesh part and I would put small toys in the mesh too. Definitely safe….no way for them to tip over. I give it two thumbs up.
Jen T.
June 18th, 2007 at 11:06 am
I took the other approach and didn’t use any floation aids with my older daughter. i was taking her into the pool as soon as we got home (just over a year of age) but always held her in my arms. I felt safer this way because she was learning that she needed to be with me to go into the pool. I had seen too many little ones run into the pool without their swimmies because they were under the false impression that they could swim. My daugher loved the pool and was swimming underwater by 2- but always with mommy in the pool. we are just starting the swim process with little sister and I am doing it the same way- no added help-
June 18th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
I teach swimming/water safety to 6 months-6 yrs at the Y. Under 3, they are in the water with a parent, which is the only *swim aid* they need, at least in class. Many lifeguards are apprehensive about the classic arm float swimmies out of concern that a child will become over-confident and jump in without them.
At age 3, when they join regular swim instruction, I like the Kiefer child swim belts. You can see them online at their site (I am not literate enough to post a link) :((
Beware! You might as well order the discounted pack of 6, because everyone you know will want one when they see them !!! They are inexpensive and adjustable (for size and increasing skill).
June 18th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
I’m so excited – baby armbands do exist!!!
Several people sent me info on them – thank you!!!
I’ve had a few people tell me that swim instructors advise against the arm floaties. But, for us they worked well. GlitterGirl wore them and yet still managed to be able to swim completely unassisted within about a month of her 4th birthday.
We did spend a little bit of time in the poll without swimmies every time we swam, but she also had lots of play time with the swimmies on. And we’d race from one end of the pool to the other while she had the swimmies on, which got her to figure out how to propel herself through the water as fast as possible.
I completely agree with making sure that kids know what happens if they go in the pool without something to keep them up. And in order for that to happen you have to hold them in the water without anything, and give them an opportunity to hold onto you instead of you holding onto them. It’s a trick, figuring out how to get them to have a healthy respect for the water without being afraid of it.
As for the asthma risk, wow. I don’t think it will keep us from swimming, but I guess that’s important information if you think you have a child that may be at risk for asthma.
June 21st, 2007 at 3:10 pm
As DD was terrified of water her first season home (even the tub), we didn’t have to look into swimmie stuff for her — Now her favourite “floatation device” is her daddy. I wish I’d known about the asthma thing, though…