Best life preservers for toddlers: Best Kids’ Life Jackets | Tested by BabyGearLab

Best Kids’ Life Jackets | Tested by BabyGearLab

Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more

Best All-Around Vest

Hardcore Life Vest

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$27.99

(7% off)
at Amazon

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Type: III | Material: Nylon

REASONS TO BUY

Easy to fit

Highly adjustable

Price

REASONS TO AVOID

Darker color

The Hardcore Life Vest is a type III vest intended for use while water skiing, wakeboarding (according to the vest), and paddle sports (we assume). This vest is highly adjustable with open sides and three buckles, allowing you to create a custom fit for different body shapes. We like that the buckles are easy to use, and testers enjoyed the graphics on the vest, making it a popular choice during testing. This vest is comfortable to wear, and once on, all testers kept it on without complaint for an entire day’s activities.

There isn’t much to dislike about this vest, but perhaps a brighter color is in order. Dark colors can be harder to spot for any water activity in a lake or similar waterway, especially at a distance. We think it would be easier to keep an eye on little ones if their vests were brightly colored instead of blending into the darker water. That aside, this economical vest is an excellent choice for most families and a must-have for those with users of different sizes who may need to share.

The Hardcore is a great, simple, all-around vest for most users.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Best Neoprene Life Vest

Airhead WICKED Kwik-Dry

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$51. 99

(20% off)
at Amazon

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Type: III | Material: Neoprene

REASONS TO BUY

Inexpensive

Comfortable

REASONS TO AVOID

Harder zipper

Less adjustability

The Airhead WICKED Kwik-Dry is a neoprene-style vest that lists waterskiing as its applicable sport. This product is an economical neoprene option in a sea of vests that typically cost more for the neoprene material. This vest has a center zipper and two front buckles. It is brightly colored pink (though there are other colors), and we liked that it was easy to see from a distance. Testers liked the bright pink colors and the warmth provided by the neoprene material.

This vest is cheaper, and it shows somewhat in the construction with buckles that do not wrap all the way around and a zipper that is harder to use. It also has visible lines under the neoprene showing the floating material edges. This option is also not really adjustable as the zipper closure, and front buckle design means you can’t really tighten it or loosen it for different body shapes. Despite these minor flaws, it could be a strong contender for those with standard body shapes who want neoprene without the higher price tag.

The Airhead Wicked is a nice neoprene option that won’t break the bank.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Highly Adjustable ad Budget-friendly

Stohlquist Youth Fit

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$35.12

(12% off)
at Amazon

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Type: | Material: Nylon

REASONS TO BUY

Less arm chaffing

Highly adjustable (open sides)

REASONS TO AVOID

Cheaper feeling components

Dark colors/less visible in dark waters

The Stohlquist Youth Fit is suitable for personal watercraft, paddle sports, towables, and general boating. It has a soft nylon shell and open sides, creating a highly adjustable option that can fit children of various shapes within the manufacturer’s guidelines. This device has floatation padding in the front and back with wide-open armholes that make it more comfortable to paddle and move little arms for fun without chaffing.

This economical option feels a little cheaper than the competition, with buckles that aren’t as easy to operate. It relies on three buckles for closure, so it doesn’t have the snug feel of a zipper but is more adjustable. While it is a basic vest and doesn’t have bells and whistles, we love how it adjusts to fit almost any shape child we tried it on. The open armholes were a big hit with paddlers for preventing arm chafes, making it a vest we think is great for all-around fun or multiple children and guests.

Easy to fit, the Stohlquist Youth Fit was comfortable and a hit with testers.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Best Bang for the Buck Vest

Stearns Child Classic Series Vest

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$21. 16

(15% off)
at Amazon

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Type: III | Material: Nylon

REASONS TO BUY

Adjustable

Less arm chaffing

Crotch strap

REASONS TO AVOID

Stiff buckles

Crotch strap rough edges

The Stearns Child Classic Series Vest is a nylon vest listed as a ski vest. This option has three buckles, 2 of which circle the entire vest, and a basic design for smaller children that includes a crotch strap to prevent the vest from floating up and over the wearer’s head when in the water. This vest has slightly thicker flotation material in the front than the back, which should encourage or help a wearer bob face up in the water while wearing it.

This vest feels somewhat lower quality than the competition. It has a rough crotch strap that could chaff thin skin on the inner thigh. The buckles are also relatively stiff and harder to operate than the competition when tested side-by-side. However, overall, we like this straightforward design and how it is highly adjustable for all body types within the manufacturer’s recommended range, making it an excellent option to have on hand for smaller water sprites.

Smaller children need the crotch strap and multiple buckle design on this vest.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Best Option for Babies

O’Neill Infant Superlite

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$36.55

(9% off)
at Amazon

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Type: II | Material: Nylon

REASONS TO BUY

Heads up design

Bright color/easy to see

REASONS TO AVOID

Challenging zipper

Less adjustable

The O’Neill Infant Superlite is a «near-shore» vest suitable for «general boating.» It is not intended for use during water skiing, towable, or personal watercraft. Think of it as an «in-boat» vest for little ones under 30 lbs. This vest has a zipper, two buckles, and a crotch strap. It has a two-part headrest flotation component with a handle for grasping. We like the bright, easy-to-spot coloring, and our little testers liked the open armholes and comfortable fit.

This vest has a challenging zipper that is so close to the thick flotation material it is hard to grasp. It also isn’t as adjustable as it could be as the nylon material wraps around instead of only encasing the flotation pads. Overall, we like this vest and the design that makes for a comfortable option for babies and toddlers, and we think parents will too.

Quality Vest for Younger Kids

O’Neill Wetsuits Child Reactor

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$79.95

at Amazon

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Type: III | Material: Neoprene

REASONS TO BUY

Handle

Comfortable

Easier zipper

REASONS TO AVOID

Expensive

Not adjustable

The O’Neill Wetsuits Child Reactor is a neoprene lifevest with a crotch strap buckle for littler users. It is listed for use during waterskiing, wakeboarding, and personal watercraft. This vest is soft to the touch and includes flotation material all the way around for a snug and comforting fit. Thanks to the neoprene design, it also provides some warmth, making it a good choice for kids who run a little cold or dislike cold water. This vest has an easy-to-use zipper and buckles that work smoothly. It also features a handle on the back to help smaller children out of the water or hold them in place.

This vest is the most expensive in the group, and while the quality is there, it may be more than you want to spend on a one-season item. This unit is a full wrap-around style vest, so there is no adjustability, and if it doesn’t fit your child, there isn’t anything to be done but return it. Also, while you could use it for paddle sports, the neoprene and underarm design might cause chaffing with repeated paddling motions. This product is a high-quality, stylish vest testers liked, but no one wore it for very long as it didn’t seem to fit anyone well.

The O’Neill may not be as adjustable as you’ll need, but if it fits, it is super comfortable.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Best for Non-Swimming Toddlers

Stearns Heads-Up Child Vest

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$30.60

(15% off)
at Amazon

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Type: II | Material: Nylon

REASONS TO BUY

Heads-up design with handle

Fabric-wrapped crotch strap

Bright color

REASONS TO AVOID

Harder to use zipper

Stiff buckles

The Stearns Heads-Up Child Vest is a «near-shore buoyancy vest.» This type of vest is designed with younger children in mind and has floatation material in the headrest flap and the front of the vest to discourage face-down floating in the water. This vest is best for recreational boating but not at-speed activities like tubing or skiing. We love that this vet is brightly colored, increasing the visibility of the child even at a distance. And the wrap-around fabric and softer crotch strap ensure comfort, so little ones won’t complain about wearing it.

While this vest is comfortable, it is harder to get on than some of the competition. The zipper is hard to start and doesn’t run as smoothly as possible because the fabric around it gets stuck in the track. The buckles are also stiff and take some finger strength to pop open, but this could be seen as a plus if your little one is prone to defying instructions. Overall, we love this vest’s quality and thoughtful details for younger kids and toddlers, and we think parents will appreciate the bright color and headrest handle.

The Stearns Heads-Up Child Vest is the only option that offers a soft covered crotch strap.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Well-known Brand Standby

O’Neill Youth SuperLite

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$34. 57

(23% off)
at Amazon

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Type: III | Material: Nylon

REASONS TO BUY

Wrap around straps

Easier buckles

REASONS TO AVOID

Less adjustable

Dark colors

The O’Neill Youth SuperLite is a nylon vest with listed uses for wakeboarding, skiing, and personal watercraft devices. The vest features two wrap-around straps and buckles and a third chest buckle that starts and ends in the front. The jacket has easier-to-use buckles and fits most testers well.

The fabric wraps around the wearer instead of just the floatation material, like much of the competition. This design makes the vest somewhat less adjustable for size. It also means arms could still potentially chaff on the fabric under the armpits. This vest is also darker in color, making it harder to see little ones from a distance. Overall, it isn’t a bad vest and looks to be of nice quality, but we think a more adjustable vest will last longer and be easier to use by multiple people over time.

Snug Fitting Neoprene

Stearns Kids Life Vest

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$54.99

at Amazon

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Type: III | Material: Neoprene

REASONS TO BUY

Big buckles

Neoprene warmth

REASONS TO AVOID

Not adjustable

Stiff design

Disappointing neoprene

The Stearns Kids Life Vest is a neoprene lifevest listed as a «ski vest.» This vest is thicker than the neoprene competition and has a long front zipper with two buckles. The neoprene is soft to the touch, and testers liked how it felt on bare skin. The buckles and zipper are easy to use.

This vest has thinner neoprene that bunched during testing and became water stained after one use. It also is not adjustable as the buckles start at the front of the vest and do not wrap around, so if your child isn’t the exact right size, there is nothing you can do to customize the vest. While we like the comfort and warmth provided by neoprene, this group has better neoprene options. The functionality seemed fine, but the looks didn’t match the competition.

This Stearns is stiff and harder to fit as it lacks adjustable features.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Good but Expensive

Stohlquist Kids Life Jacket

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$55.99

(20% off)
at Amazon

See It

Type: III | Material: Nylon

REASONS TO BUY

Highly adjustable circumference

Heads-up floatation

REASONS TO AVOID

Hard to grasp zipper ends

Not suitable for all activities

The Stohlquist Kids Life Jacket is a vest suitable for canoeing, kayaking, and sailing for 30-50 lbs children. It has a soft nylon cover, float front, and triangle nylon back with a floating headrest to help encourage face-up floatation. This vest has a double headrest design with a zipper and a buckle front closure. The crotch strap is nylon, and the buckles work well.

This vest is unsuitable for all activities and could inhibit potential opportunities for fun. It has a relatively smooth zipper, but the ends are hard to grasp as the floatation material makes it hard to keep a firm hold on the zipper. We like this vest, and it could be a good option for little ones on self-paddled boats, but if you think you’ll be moving at speed or enjoying an inner tube pulled by a boat, it is sort of expensive to have limited use.

The Stohlquist Kids Life Jacket has a double headrest flotation design.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

It is important to always wear the proper safety gear when enjoying water activities.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Why You Should Trust Us

Our kids’ PFD (lifevest) review is led by Senior Review Editor, Wendy Schmitz. Wendy is a mother of 2 boys who are active lake goers participating in activities from kayaking and standup paddleboarding to innertubes and kneeboarding behind a ski boat. Wendy researched and assessed each lifevest in this review in addition to feedback from her boys and other child testers on comfort, fit, range of motion, and more to determine ranks and winners.

We tested each vest hands-on for quality, ease of use, fit, and more during several water-related outings with multiple children. We compared the vests to one another to determine which options were best suited for different situations, goals, and budget considerations.

We tested a variety of different vest types in this review.Our testers wore the vest during actual water activities to provide details on fit, comfort, and functionality.

Analysis and Test Results

We purchased and tested the top kids’ personal floatation devices (PFD) (aka. Lifevests) on the market to find the best products for every need and budget.

Water Safety Warning
Staying safe around water is no small thing. Safety should be a top priority whenever you plan to bring people and water together, especially children. This review covers the fit, comfort, and quality of life vests. It is NOT intended to take the place of safety guidelines or other water safety precautions you should take for your family. Using a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved life jacket for each member of your family is only part of the water safety equation. Each state has its laws governing the use of personal floatation devices. You should always do due diligence before embarking on water activities to ensure you comply with the laws in your area and do your part to keep your child safe. We recommend children partake in structured swimming lessons early and often to help create comfort in and around water, but nothing can take the place of a properly fitted and approved life jacket. We are not water safety experts and, as such, can not remark on the safety of any product outside of its USCG Approval.

All of the vests meet a certain quality level to gain certification from the USCG.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Quality

Because the lifevests need to pass specific criteria to earn their USCG certification, there is already an inherently high-quality level. These products all have excellent stitching, adequate and even flotation material, and working zippers and buckles. However, some are easier to use than others, and some vests provide extra attention to detail, making them stand out for quality.

Price did not seem to be a significant indicator of quality, and we believe that even the cheaper models provide high-quality features that should last as long as the vest is designed for use. For example, the Hardcore vest is one of the least expensive options in the group. Still, it is easy to use, fits comfortably, is highly adjustable, and we found no flaws in design or execution as this vest saw more action than the competition during testing. The O’Neill Wetsuits Child Reactor vest is the most expensive option in the group, and it shows when compared side by side. While the Hardcore is great, the O’Neil Reactor looks and feels even better. This pillow-like vest features thicker neoprene that hugs the body, extra stitching to prevent shifting of the floating material inside the vest, and a heavy-duty zipper that stays in place even during activity. This vest has two chest buckles and a crotch strap designed for younger users. Compared to the competition, it is clear that this vest costs more to make.

There are higher and lower quality levels to be found in the nylon and neoprene options.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

While quality is undoubtedly important, we think the vest in this review has a quality level that matches or exceeds its price tags. It is more important to look for a good fit and suitability for your activity than to worry about quality (assuming the vest is in new or good working order).

Fading Vest
You should investigate your vest before each use for wear and tear or other indicators that it is time for retirement. Most of the manufacturers included instructions that once the vest starts to fade, it is time for a new vest.

Some options are easier to use than others depending don’t the design of the zippers, buckles, and adjustment styles.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Ease of Use

Most of the life vests were similar in their ease of use. The products must meet similar standards to pass inspection, thanks to stringent guidelines. All of the vests have buckle closures and strap adjustments. Some neoprene options also have a zipper, but the buckles are still required to ensure overall safety, even with the zipper closed. The jackets for younger kids also have a strap between the legs and buckles from the back to the front. This strap is designed to prevent the vest from rising above the wearer’s head. These buckles seemed somewhat harder to disconnect, perhaps to prevent little ones from releasing the clip independently.

Properly fitting a vest is one of the most important parts of making a vest selection.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

The O’Neill Wetsuits Child Reactor is a comfy and well-built jacket with a smooth zipper and straightforward buckles. It has a handle on the back and is brightly colored. The Hardcore is also easy to use with increased adjustability and straightforward buckles and straps.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Fit and Comfort

Two critical aspects of a great lifevest are fit and comfort. Fit is non-negotiable and the key to ensuring safety in the water (see the box below for fit testing). Comfort impacts whether your little one will wear the jacket without complaining.

Most testers agreed that the neoprene vests were more comfortable, but they are harder to fit and some cause arm chaffing during paddle sports.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Our testers found the neoprene jackets to be more comfortable. However, the neoprene is more form-fitting, and there is little to no wiggle room in these vests to adjust for circumference changes over time. While each vest has a weight range and chest dimension guide, a child’s day-to-day measurements can shift as they grow. Typically little ones grow fast like weeds. Neoprene is more comfortable the longer you wear it and is highly suitable for activities that involve speed, like tubing behind a motorboat or water skiing. Our testers’ favorites were the Airhead WICKED Kwik-Dry, O’Neill Wetsuits Child Reactor, and the Stearns Kids Life Vest.

Not all of the vests have straps that wrap around for adjustability and the neoprene vests have wrap-around fabric inhibiting their ability to be made smaller or larger.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Other vests have side adjustments that allow for significant changes to circumference and a more customized fit. The floatation material is in the front and back of the child with open sides. This design allows for a potentially longer life as long as your child is within the size guidelines of the jacket and fits well. Our favorites of this style are the Stearns Heads-Up Child Vest, Stohlquist Youth Fit, and the Hardcore Life Vest.

Safety Tip
No matter what, fit should take precedence over comfort. While both are important, fit is potentially lifesaving.

It is important that you find the right-sized vest for your child as well as the right vest for the activities you plan to do.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

The USCG makes the following recommendations for properly fitting a life vest before making your final selection.

Try It On For Size

• Check the manufacturer’s label to ensure that the life jacket properly fits your size and weight.
• Make sure the jacket is fastened correctly.
• Hold your arms straight up over your head.
• Ask a friend to grasp the tops of the arm openings and gently pull up.

Ensure no excess room is above the openings and that the jacket does not ride up over your chin or face.

Personal Flotation Devices come in various types intended for the wearer’s different activities and abilities. Be sure to select the type of PFD most suitable for your child’s ability and the planned activity.

Floatation is the name of the game and each vest type is designed for a different kind of floatation and user.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Floatation Types

The following Type definitions were taken from the US Coast Guard website.

Type I — greatest required inherent buoyancy and can turn most unconscious persons in the water from a face-down position to a vertical and slightly backward position, therefore, greatly increasing one’s chance of survival.
Type II — intended to turn some unconscious persons from a face-down position in the water to a position where the wearer’s respiration is not impeded.
Type III — intended to support a conscious person in the water in an upright position. This type of device is not required to turn an unconscious person in the water from a face-down position to one where the wearer’s respiration is not impeded.
Type V — is approved for restricted uses or activities such as boardsailing or commercial white water rafting. These devices may not be suitable for other boating activities. The label indicates whether a particular design of Type V can be used in a specific application, what restrictions or limitations apply, and its performance type.

These are some of the ten vests we purchased and tested hands-on for our personal flotation device (aka lifevest) review.

Credit: Wendy Schmitz

Conclusion

Finding a comfortable and safe floatation device for your child can provide peace of mind when enjoying any activity near water. This review is designed to help you select a quality product that is comfortable and easy to use for most children in the appropriate age group. We used each vest hands-on with multiple kids to get the details you need to make an informed decision for your child and budget. We think there is something for everyone in the lineup of great options.

5 Best Toddler Life Jackets in 2022 for On-the-Move Tots

I think we can all agree that toddlers love being in, on, and around the water. But their developing ability to get around means there’s a good chance they’re going to end up falling in at some point.  Whether it’s an unexpected plunge in the pool or a stumble on the deck you need to be prepared for the landing in the water, and getting them one of the best toddler life jackets for the money should be your highest priority.

For example, a good life vest for an 18-month-old child needs to be adjustable to fit their fast-growing body, have good neck support, and be secure enough that curious little fingers won’t be able to undo a strap for them to wiggle free.

Toddler life vests are sized for most 15-30 pound children and they’re sized similar to (and sometimes exactly the same as) an infant life jacket but should not be confused with a toddler swim vest (see how they compare).

Table of Contents

Top Rated Life Vests For Toddlers

	Product	USCG	Size	Crotch Strap	Colors
	Stohlquist Nemo	Type II	8-30 lbs	Yes	3
	O’Neill Wake	Type II	Up to 30 lbs	Yes	2
	O’Neill Superlite	Type II	Up to 30 lbs	Yes	2
	Stearns Infant Classic	Type II	Up to 30 lbs	Yes	2
	Mustang Lil’ Legends	Type II	Up to 30 lbs	Yes	2

Best Toddler Life Jacket Reviews

#1 – Stohlquist Toddler Life Jacket

The Nemo Stohlquiest Infant Life Jacket is probably the best infant life jacket you can buy, and the same size scores very highly for toddlers as well.

It’s a comfortable, USCG type 2 rated, compact vest that allows fantastic mobility and good ventilation, so a 1 to 2-year-old can get the most from family activities while staying safe.

The Nemo’s outstanding feature is its excellent collar, which restricts mobility slightly more than the Mustang model but does a great job of holding the head above water.

The Nemo comes in a choice of three color schemes. We recommend you stick with the bright red or yellow, instead of the less visible blue.

While we never want to think a boating emergency would ever happen to us (think a non-functioning PLB), having your toddler in a Stohlquist life jacket should give you peace of mind.

>> Check current price <<

 

#2 – Lil’ Legends Mustang Life Jacket

The Lil’ Legends floatation vest from marine survival specialists company Mustang is available in three sizes; infant/toddler, child, and youth.

Mustang recently updated their top-selling life jacket and it looks better than ever. In the toddler size life jacket, its feature set makes it pretty much unbeatable.

This type 2 PFD is built around a mesh base for comfort and ventilation, with front and back flotation panels. The back has internal airflow channels to help keep active toddlers cool, and all the panels are shaped to allow maximum mobility.

In front, there’s a full-length zipper and the neck is cut away to ensure the chest panel doesn’t slip up over the child’s chin.

For extra security, there’s a waist strap with a tough quick-release buckle. The toddler-sized model also has a crotch strap. This is designed to prevent the lower edge from riding up, but it also makes it more secure.

One feature of the Lil’ Legends Mustang Life Jacket that is really impressive is the large, multi-section collar. That does a really good job of keeping the wearer’s head above the surface, and it also includes a sturdy grab handle for retrieving your child from the water.

The latest Lil’ Legends Mustang Life Jacket comes in a bright blue w/ yellow or bright red w/ blue color scheme making both varieties highly visible in the water. This is an improvement over the previous colors which were not as visible.

Overall this is a very high-quality life vest that’s ideal for a 15 to 30-ish lb child. It’s well made, highly buoyant, and comfortable enough to wear all day. It’s made by experts to do an important job well, and that’s exactly what you need.

 

>> Check current price at Amazon.com <<

 

#3 – O’Neill Wake Waterski Toddler PFD

The Wake Waterski toddler life vest is a good reminder that some PFDs are made for swimming, and some for survival. This type-2 vest is among the latter, with the lightweight fluid foam neoprene panels focused in the front to immediately flip children onto their backs.

A USCG-approved life vest head support panel helps to keep your child’s head above the water while they await rescue. This head support is not always comfortable on smaller children, as it is designed to support infants and toddlers up to 30 pounds.

However, older toddlers will have less difficulty moving around in the life vest and feel a higher degree of comfort while you can enjoy knowing they are safe.

To further improve the safety side of this PFD, there is an adjustable safety belt that fits between the legs and quick-release dual safety buckles to ensure that the life vest stays on until you’re ready to take it off.

A safety strap located on the head support allows you to pull the child to safety easily.

While the safety focus of this life vest makes it difficult to swim normally, the strap’s location makes it possible to teach your child certain swimming techniques.

Choose bright colors and this Coast Guard approved safety toddler life vest will keep your child safe for many fun boating trips.

>> Check current price <<

 

#4 – O’Neill Superlite Toddler Life Vest

The Superlite Toddler Life Vest by O’Neill is a Type-2 personal floatation device that uses lightweight polyethylene foam for more comfortable use out of the water.

Its collar folds down when not needed, allowing for more mobility, and the three quick-release Delrin buckles keep your toddler secure without making removal a hassle.

Approved by the US Coast Guard for infants and toddlers up to 30 pounds, this highly adjustable vest will grow with your child.

As with most type-2 PFDs, this vest is designed to roll your child on their back if they fall into the water and includes a safety strap on the neck support for easy retrieval. It can thus be a little more difficult to swim in for many toddlers.

Children who are just beginning to walk may also find this and other type-2 toddler life jackets to be top-heavy due to the safety features.

The Pacific blue and yellow versions are easy to spot, and a brighter turquoise and berry color scheme makes this toddler life vest popular with boys, girls, and parents alike.

>> Check current price <<

 

#5 – Stearns Toddler Life Jacket For Boat

The Stearns Classic is a very affordable type II flotation toddler vest but it’s also a capable one. The simple but rugged nylon-covered vest is secured with a full-length zipper and a quick-release chest strap that runs all the way around the body for extra strength.

To make it even more secure there’s a leg strap too. This is a smaller version of Stearns’ children’s life vest but, to make it safer for the typical 2-year-old, a head cushion has been added.

The collar on the Stearns isn’t as sophisticated as on the Mustang or Nemo but it’s still effective enough at keeping a small head above the surface.

It also doesn’t get in the way as much out of the water, because the cushion hangs down the back out of the way until the wearer is actually floating.

With Coast Guard approval and a reasonably low price, the Stearns Classic certainly won’t let you down. Again, opt for the brighter red color instead of blue.

>> Check current price <<

 

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Advantages: Physiological body position when swimming, many cameras (safety), swimming training.

Faults: Deflating and inflating this circle is a whole thing!

Review: We bought the SWIMTRAINER circle when our daughter was one year and four months old. There was a trip to the sea on the nose and I, a big lover of swimming at depth, had to somehow solve the issue of how to protect the child during joint water procedures. By the way, I came across the SWIMTRAINER wheel…

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DALILA

2012-01-29

Very reliable wheel

Advantages: Safe, easy to wear, there are 3 types for different age categories.

Drawbacks: May not fit in a bathtub.

Review: The SWIMTRAINER rubber ring was bought when my daughter was 8 months old. We had a BabySwimmer neck circle before, but it wasn’t a very good experience. And this new circle justified our hopes, it is safe. Our SWIMTRAINER circle is red, that is, for children from 3 months to 4 years. A wide white inflatable belt holds the child tightly, you just need to inflate it correctly. And so the child cannot slip out of it…

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Kolbasa

2012-07-17

For swimming in high water

Advantages: suitable for home use

Review: I was inspired to write this review by the massive interest from parents in the Freds Swimtrainer, which my child flopped around in the sea with pleasure. I must say that it was originally bought for the pool, when my son was 6 months old. Then we began to introduce our child to big water. And this circle turned out to be a good helper in this matter. I want to warn you right away that this device will be of interest only to those who are going to take their kids to the pool or to those who go to the sea. This bathtub circle is too big, so it is not suitable for home use…

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Elena Ch

the child was happy in it at sea. Learned to swim.

Advantages: Stable, comfortable, learning to swim.

Disadvantages: Price

Review: Bought specifically for a trip to the sea. In the bathroom, they tried to buy in it, but it was a useless exercise, it reaches the bottom with its feet, pushes off, the circle is still intended for pools and the sea. The circle is on sale in a convenient box, the detailed instruction. The child hung at first, but if you follow the instructions, everything works out from the very first lesson. He learned to swim like a frog by pushing off with both legs at the same time. A little later I mastered, I don’t know what the method is called — I walked in turn with my feet (like a dog, probably). They used it both at sea and in the pool — a squeal of contentment, indescribable happiness!

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Svetik170288

2011-06-15

Handy thing!

Advantages: Reliable, safe, convenient.

Flaws: Not found.

Review: In connection with the purchase of the pool, the question of the safety of the child in it arose. We found a solution by purchasing the SWIMTRAINER Red Inflatable Ring from 3 months to 4 years. Our daughter is 11 months old and enjoys swimming in it. The circle is safe, the child in it will not tip over and will not slip out. In such a circle, children quickly learn to swim, because the child’s body is in a horizontal position. The price of the circle is not cheap, but the safety of the child is much more expensive. It is so?

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El-Ange

2013-06-29

Baby screams with delight!

Advantages: Comfortable for the child. … juicy bright color. …looks safer than normal circles. … I hope he will teach you how to swim.

Faults: So comfortable for my child that he is in this circle. … falls asleep!

Review: As soon as my son was born, I immediately had an obsession that he should learn to swim as soon as possible. They themselves could not teach, I still do not dare to wear it to the pool. In general, I decided to try the rest of the available means. My baby is now 4 months old, we have been using the swimtrainer since 3 months (red, of course). Outwardly, I immediately liked the circle very much: the color, the material from which it is made seems stronger and denser than ordinary circles (although time will tell the degree of its strength). I was also surprised by the presence in the package of so many instructions, pieces of paper, pictures, and everything is very detailed. I thought, is it really difficult to inflate a circle on your own! Now I know that there are such people (I mean myself and even my husband). It didn’t work until I opened the manual. It turned out that first you need to inflate the white parts (I don’t know how they didn’t guess, apparently sleepless nights affect). If you first inflate the red ones, then it is very inconvenient to get close to the white ones.

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ruginka

2010-12-22

With a baby in the pool no problem.

Advantages: the child quickly gets used to the water, does not slip out of the circle.

Flaws: Not found.

Review: We started using such a circle when the child was 6 months old in a hydropathic clinic. the circle is very comfortable, the child will not slip out of it and will not fall out, but it is necessary to support it in front so that it does not choke water. the son behaved calmly in the circle, sometimes even fell asleep in it. When the child was 8 months old, we went to Europe and bought a circle to make it easier to stay in the pool. the kid really liked it, he actively worked with his legs and clapped his hand on the water. and my husband and I could not worry about him and our hands were free, we took turns swimming in the pool for adults.

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XeniaSantana

2013-03-30

Great item for kids!

Advantages: Safety

Disadvantages: Not found keep a 10-kilogram baby for half an hour, my back did not allow me. After browsing the Internet, reading customer reviews and opinions of pediatricians, I stopped my choice on this option. The thing, of course, is very convenient and thoughtful, and definitely worth the money. The body of the child is securely held, there is no load on the spine, the baby will not be able to slip out of the circle either. As the child grows, the “straps” that are worn on the shoulders can be adjusted in length, they, like the whole circle, inflate, so the child’s delicate shoulders do not rub, in general, I repeat, a very, very thoughtful and safe thing for the baby, which you can start using as early as 6 months, in the bath, in the pool or even in open water.

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THE WORLD’S ONLY INFLATABLE CIRCLE WITH A HALF-YEAR WARRANTY!

Inflatable products are one of the most defective products. But we are confident in the quality of our original SWIMTRAINER «Classic» wheel. The average duration of the period of its use is 2-3 years, and the percentage of marriage is below 1%! Millions of kids in pools, seas and oceans around the world are learning to swim in our inflatable rings. Therefore, we boldly give a guarantee for 6 months after purchase. If during this time you find a marriage, then feel free to use the right to replace. By purchasing our products, you give your child the opportunity to love water for life and at the same time risk nothing!

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION (OVER 35 COUNTRIES)

SWIMTRAINER «Classic» rubber rings have been awarded many medals and prizes in different countries, including Russia. They are presented at all the largest exhibitions of children’s goods in the world. But there are not many prizes. Therefore, when you see a SWIMTRAINER inflatable ring among the nominees for some award, be sure to leave your vote. We will be very pleased!

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Neck circles for swimming: benefits and benefits

Benefits of circles for health and development

The benefits of neck circles are primarily due to the benefits of swimming in general. Regular water procedures strengthen the child’s immunity, promote muscle development and serve as real gymnastics, start metabolic processes in the body, and allow you to normalize sleep and wakefulness. Babies who swim from the first days of life are less likely to get sick, start crawling and walking earlier.

Watch out for reactions: the baby in the circle should smile, not cry

In some situations, doctors strongly recommend regular swimming, such as muscle hypertonicity. Bathing allows you to normalize the tone and reduce overall nervous tension. Due to the fact that the baby moves his arms and legs in the water, their gradual relaxation occurs.

Why do parents opt for neck circles? Everything is simple. Firstly, not everyone has an idea about the basics of baby swimming, this must be learned with a competent instructor so as not to harm the child. Bathing a baby in a circle does not require special skills. It is enough to follow all the rules described in the instructions, and not leave the child unattended.

Secondly, even if you’ve learned the basics of baby swimming, taking long baths in a regular home bath, when you need to constantly support your baby, simply puts a strain on your back. This is how Dr. Komarovsky said about it in one of his broadcasts: “ The main problem of long bathing is that mom or dad needs to stand like this [bent] for half an hour, which has a very bad effect on the lower back of dad or mom, so parents do everything trying to improve this technique «.

A neck circle is the perfect solution. You put it on in a matter of seconds, and then send the baby to «free swimming», only looking after him and guiding him. The child likes this feeling of freedom, because he is not limited by parental hands and he can swim wherever he wants. The baby does not freeze, as his body is completely immersed in water. Thanks to the circle, the child feels confident and calm in the water, getting used to swimming from the first days of life and enjoying bathing. In addition, regular water procedures strengthen the emotional connection of the child with the parents, establish a trusting relationship between them.

Another interesting opinion can be found: swimming from the first days of life contributes to the early development of speech. And here’s why:

• while bathing, the baby breathes deeper, due to which the brain is actively saturated with oxygen;
• The child’s head is above the water and the chest is below the water. Water presses on the chest and provides a kind of training for the diaphragm and respiratory organs;
• correct posture is formed;
• , muscle relaxation occurs, at the same time, the work of the vocal apparatus is simplified.

One way or another, regular bathing becomes the key to the health and all-round development of the baby.

Professionals’ opinions

For the first time faced with such a device, mothers ask the main question — is the circle dangerous? Doctors generally speak positively about the circles, explaining their benefits for the child by the benefits of water procedures as such. If the baby is completely healthy, the circle will definitely not hurt. In case of developmental disorders, it is necessary to consult with your doctor before use. Below are the opinions of doctors about the circles.

Children’s massage therapist Alexander Dorin says: “If you disassemble the circle itself, then, yes, it has a special notch for the chin. From an orthopedic point of view, it is made correctly and does not bear a load on the muscles of the neck, but if it is used correctly. He also adds: “Since the baby is active in the circle, the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems work for him. The baby spends more energy, so after such water procedures, he eats and sleeps better.

Pediatrician Yulia Stupakova agrees with this opinion: “The circles are made in such a way that they fix the child’s neck, while the chin is on a special notch, and they do not bear a load on the neck if you put them on correctly.”

Vladimir Zhivotov, an osteopath with millions of followers, writes on his blog: “Some have suggested that such movements in the water, when the head and neck are fixed and the body “floats” back and forth, can cause displacement of the cervical vertebrae or provoke torticollis. But as an osteopath, I can assure you that simply bathing in a bathtub with a circle around your neck cannot lead to anything like this. If initially the neck of the newborn is in perfect order, then there is nothing to fear.

The advantage of the circles is that they can be used in pools and open water (at a depth of no more than one meter). Some baby swimming instructors use neck circle swimming as an additional activity in their practice.

Parents’ testimonials

Despite the fact that there are conflicting opinions about circles on the net, they are gaining more and more popularity every day. We can say that at least every second mother bathed a child in a circle and was satisfied. This is clearly confirmed by the results of a survey conducted on the ROXY-KIDS Instagram account.

2200 people took part in the survey

Many well-known mothers leave positive feedback about circles on the Flipper neck in their blogs, noting that such bathing gives the baby positive emotions and after it the child sleeps sweetly.

Ekaterina Kolisnichenko, @kolisnichenko_official, more than 800 thousand subscribers: “Baby was so happy, frolic — I am completely delighted!”

Ekaterina Lantseva, @lan. keti, more than 500 thousand subscribers: “Amelie was exactly a month old when we tried the circle! She was delighted! I swam for half an hour, and then I ate with such an appetite and fell asleep very quickly … The circle is very coolly made: two air chambers, rattle balls inside, an anatomical notch for the chin, non-slip handles, two whole fasteners for fixation, a smoothed seam on the inside to do not put pressure on the neck and do not injure the vertebrae.

Ekaterina Tanasienko, @rina_sara, more than 500 thousand subscribers: “Of the advantages of such swimming: the child swims by himself!!! This is very, very cool! Especially from four months, it turns into real fun! And even better he knows the world, learns to trust him. He looks, feels freedom, but at the same time under the control of his mother.

What to look for when choosing a wheel?

Of course, the safety of wheel construction and materials plays a major role. The choice of a bathing assistant should be approached responsibly in order to avoid disappointment from future use. Here are the key points:

• Opt for double chamber discs. Even if one of the chambers begins to deflate, the circle will keep the child on the water.
• The clasp must be double, top and bottom. It is better if it is two carabiners or a carabiner and Velcro, circles with two Velcro provide a less secure fit.
• Particular attention should be paid to the inner seam that fits around the baby’s neck. It should be absolutely smooth, without any protrusions that can rub and injure the delicate baby skin.
• Mandatory chin recess: this helps the child to assume a physiologically correct position during bathing and prevents water from entering the ears and airways.
• Pay attention to the smell — for PVC products it is always present after unpacking, but if the smell is too strong and sharp, this may indicate the toxicity of the material.
• The presence of handles at the bottom of the circle is an added advantage. They have two functions. Firstly, the child will be able to hold on to them when he gets tired. Secondly, it will be convenient for you to set the movement of the baby with the help of these handles.
• Choose from a trusted brand name that can provide appropriate quality and safety certifications. So, Flipper circles have a confirmed safety certificate from the German TÜV laboratory.

Use this guide when choosing a model

Basic rules for bathing a child in a circle

• Do not leave your child unattended even for a minute. The circle is not a lifesaver!
• Pay attention to the characteristics of the wheel and choose the right size and age for you.
• Inflate the circle with your own breath. The pump can pump the wheel, which can lead to damage and deflation.
• Do not use in baby baths. There should be enough water in the bath so that the child swims and does not push off the bottom with his legs.
• Wear a circlet when your child is out of the water.
• Do not use the wheel deeper than one meter.