Swimming armbands are probably the most popular and most commonly used swimming aid for young children and toddlers alike. Armbands are very cheap and very durable floatation aids that are ideal for assisting young children in the early stages of learning to swim.
Swim nappies are a must
No baby is going to enjoy the experience if they're waterlogged in their standard nappy. Most pools wouldn't allow them in wearing those anyway. Instead, buy specific swim nappies – available in most big supermarkets or chemists – and a suitable swimsuit, trunks or wetsuit.
Your child 'should NEVER wear armbands' as it provides a false sense of security and puts lives as risk, expert claims | The Sun.
These armbands are super-durable though, and are a good way of allowing greater independence when you're in the pool with them. Suitable from ages two to six years.
Every child is different so the decision whether or not to use armbands is essential what is best for the child. Parents that do decide to use armbands should be wary of over use and, when the child is ready, encourage and support moving away from wearing armbands to help develop their confidence and swimming ability.
It's important to highlight, children under three (3) years of age must be supervised at all times while wearing our jewelry. Never leave a child under the age of three unattended while wearing any jewelry product. Remove all jewelry before napping, riding in a car seat, bath-time, unattended playtime, or bedtime.
Apparently until they are about 2, they lack the strength and coordination to kick, paddle, lift their head above water and breathe. From around that age though, it's entirely possible for them to learn to swim.
Unlike armbands, which position a child's arms above their chest and restrict arm movement, float vests fit snuggly to the torso, allowing children to have a full range of movement. Float vests help position children in a natural swimming position in the water, whilst providing extra buoyancy as they learn to swim.
Don't keep your baby in the pool water for longer than 10 minutes at first. When you get out, be sure to wrap your baby in a warm blanket or towel immediately.
Floaties Do Not Keep Children Safe
It is a big mistake for parents to believe that water wings or floaties keep a child safe from drowning. Floaties can slip off or deflate easily. Water wings are not considered to be an effective personal flotation device.
Floaties and Water Wings are Dangerous
They help the parent feel a little more comfortable with their child being in the water, and they give the child a false sense of security. Most kids love to wear these items, as they make them feel independent and bring them to the surface when they jump in the water.
The AAP recommends that children wear hats, sunglasses, and cover-ups. Clothing that offers extra UV protection is helpful. Swim shirts, which are also called rash guards, provide more protection from the sun than traditional bathing suits because of the long sleeves and the special fabric used.
First things first, you'll need to bring along suitable swimwear, ideally a one-piece costume for girls and trunks or shorts for boys. Shorts should not extend beyond the child's knees, as this may have a negative impact on their swimming ability.
Your toddler will love the floating assistance (and, likely, cute designs). Just keep in mind that floaties are not a safety device or a substitute for a life jacket, and they can deflate; you or a caregiver should always be within arm's reach of your would-be swimmer.
One of the main advantages of using a swimming armband is for the added security of the children. This will greatly boost their confidence to move freely into the water. It is highly advisable to use for a group of a high number of toddlers for swimming lessons so that they can be highly supervised safely.
If your child feels more comfortable in the water with a shirt, consider the option of a swim shirt or a rash guard. These are better to wear compared to t-shirts for both safety and sanitary purposes. It's also much easier for your child to move about in the water without a baggy shirt on.
Your child is at greatest risk of waterborne illness from swimming in a pool, hot tub, water park, lake, river or ocean. Causes of recreational waterborne illnesses include drinking, breathing or simply coming into contact with water that's contaminated with bugs — usually parasites, bacteria or viruses.
Children will experience trouble breathing and have heavy, wet-sounding, persistent coughs. They will also develop uncontrollable shivering as well as hot and cold flashes. Children who have any of these symptoms should be taken to an emergency room immediately.
Call to a parent or another child who's closest to where your child went under, or get in there yourself. Once you pull your child out, see if they're conscious and breathing. If they're coughing, give them a few good pats on the back to help them clear water from their lungs. If they aren't breathing, call 911.
For many parents water wings are seen as a way to keep kids safe and protected at the pool, but water wings or arm floaties are not recognized as safe personal flotation devices (PFD). The CDC in particular doesn't recommend the use of water wings in the pool.
As you head for the pool this summer, think twice before you pack those “water wings” in your swim bag. Most people perceive floaties to be good tools for helping children learn to swim. The opposite is actually true. Floaties do not help children learn to swim.
Use two short woggles rather than fixed floatation such as armbands or rubber rings because it encourages your child to find their own independence in the water. It also gives them more ability to find their own buoyancy and freer movement in the water to use their arms and legs much more easily.
The fact is a vast majority of 3-year-olds cannot swim independently for a considerable distance without using floats or adult support.