Best Life Jacket For Toddler Of 2020

Swimming and other water activities are an excellent way to spend some time with your children. However, parents around the world must not forget to prepare their toddlers properly before going anywhere near the water.This is why you will need to find the best life jacket for toddlers. It is not just about the quality of the life jacket, but also about the size. Furthermore, many parents feel that, if they are good swimmers, they can protect their children. Of course, it is essential not to think this way at all.Let’s find out how to pick out the best life jacket for toddlers and how they save lives.

Why would you need one?

Even though you might think that only smaller children require a life jacket, the truth is that all kids need one. You never know how the waters will react. Therefore it is better to be safe than sorry.Still, maybe think twice before bringing your baby on board. The life jackets are usually not suitable for infants, even though you can buy them in their size.The best life jacket for toddlers will help keep the child’s head above the water, allowing him to breathe properly. In addition to that, many of them will flip the child over if they land in the water with their face down.Now, adults and older children intuitively know that they should flip over once their face encounters water. However, babies and toddler do not have the necessary ability to do that. They are just not strong enough.Therefore, you should not let your kids out of your sight under any circumstances. This is when the best life jackets for toddlers come in.The purpose is to keep their heads above the water, and they usually come with some handle. That handle is for you-you can reach out and drag them out of the water fast.If you are still not convinced, and you really ought to be, consider checking out what the law says in your country. Usually, they require all children to wear a life vest, so finding the best life jacket for toddlers should be a priority for all parents.

Types and sizing guide

There are only three types of life jackets, but some of them might not be suitable for a toddler.Type I life jacket is used for open seas and in situations when the search party might not be coming in a while. However, they are quite bulky, and toddlers will, for sure, get anxious when wearing them for a longer period.Type II life jacket is much more suitable for children, in general. You can put them on your kids if you are going to the pool or enjoying different boating activities. Just like Type I, they should flip over an unconscious person. Still, you should bear in mind that, because they are not as bulky, they might not flip everyone over.Type III is a type of a floatation aid that is extremely lightweight and easy to use. However, it cannot flip the child over, and they are only for calm waters.You should also remember that a life jacket is useless if it is too small or too big. Do not fall into the trap and buy a bigger one, hoping your child will grow into it. Even if it does – while that happens, the child lacks the necessary protection.So, let us imagine a situation where you found the best life jacket for toddlers. How do you check if it fits? It is quite easy.The jacket must not ride up at all, so make sure you fasten it properly and tell your child to put their arms up. If it goes over their chin, then it is too big. If you pull it at the top and there is some space left where the arms go, it is, again, too big.Even if it is too small, there is a high chance that it will not work because it will feel too snug and your child will have difficulty breathing.

Choosing the best life jacket for toddlers

The best life jacket for toddlers is supposed to be comfortable, yet secure. It does not have to be stylish at all because that is obviously not its purpose. However, bear in mind that your child might not want to wear it.Always pick the right size, even if you feel that your child might grow some more in the near future. It is better to have a terrific life jacket now than to risk your child’s life even for a second.And, you can also practice in a smaller pool to make sure that it is the right life jacket for your toddler. Let them adjust themselves to it. That way, you will have less trouble later on when trying to convince them to put them on.

Prices

Depending on the quality, the best life jacket for toddlers could cost you about $15 or even 30$. It all depends on the brand and what the life jacket offers. However, it is still quite a low price for protecting your child.

Top 5 Best Life Jackets for Toddlers

To give you even more information, here is a list of the best life jackets for toddlers currently on the market.

Stearns Puddle Jumper Basic Life Jacket

While it might be one of the cheapest life jackets for toddlers on the market, many consider Stearns Puddle Jumper Basic to be the best life jacket for toddlers.Not only is it US Coast Guard approved, but it also features fun designs that will attract the attention of your toddlers.Furthermore, it is a high-quality life jacket that will not irritate your child’s skin. The woven polyester makes it softer and comfortable to wear even for longer periods of time.It is for kids that are about 30 lbs to 50 lbs so that it will fit most toddlers perfectly. In addition to that, it is not just for safety. It can also help your child to learn how to swim.

What We Liked

• checkIt forces the kids to float easily, making sure their heads stay above the water.
• checkExceptionally comfortable, so your toddlers will not fuss a lot when you try to put it on.
• checkProvides a lot of mobility for the kids.

What We Didn’t Like

• exclamation-triangleThe back strap might not be adjustable enough for smaller children.
• exclamation-triangleIt is a good idea to try it on your child in a store because the sizing may vary a lot.

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Full Throttle Child Water Buddies Life Vest

This vest is an affordable option if you are on the lookout for life vests that feature a fun design. Your toddlers can even pick out if they want to be an astronaut, a princess or a turtle.However, apart from the remarkable design, this life vest features unique foam back and zippers on the front. In addition to that, it also has leg straps, which is amazing if you have a rather fidgety toddler.Still, this life vest is a Type III, so bear in mind that it might not be suitable to use during water sports. Because of that, it is very lightweight and weighs only about 0.7 pounds.It is, however, Coast Guard Certified, so it should be fine if you plan to use it only in calm waters. Also, there is durable foam inside it, so you can expect it to last a bit longer than other life vests.

What We Liked

• checkKeeps the children afloat with ease.
• checkAmazing graphic designs, so your toddler might be happy to put it on.
• checkThe fit is not too loose, and the straps are adjustable, so you can rest assured that it would stay with your child.

What We Didn’t Like

• exclamation-triangleThis is a Type III life vest, so it only floats the toddlers. It will not keep them on their backs.
• exclamation-triangleDepending on the child, it might flip them on their face, so be careful when using it.

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Stearns Puddle Jumper Deluxe Life Jacket

Another noteworthy product from Stearns, this Puddle Jumper is similar to the Basic one. However, this time they used even better materials. They also tested it further to see if it can handle anything your toddler might put it through.In addition to that, Stearns offers even more designs this time. Your kids will not want to take it off, which is phenomenal if you have a hard time looking out for them. The designs also make it easier for you to spot them in the water.Like the other previously mentioned life jackets, this one is also US Guard Approved. However, it can also serve as a learning aid when your little ones are trying to swim for the first time.

What We Liked

• checkYou can tighten the straps on the back even further, so this life vest may fit even the skinniest toddlers.
• checkAllows the children to move freely in the water.
• checkHas smaller armholes, so it fits a lot better than other types of life jackets.

What We Didn’t Like

• exclamation-triangleIf your toddlers have below 30 pounds and still cannot swim properly, there is a slight chance that they start sinking when they put this life jacket on.
• exclamation-triangleThe tightness around the arms might not be for everyone.

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Body Glove Paddle Pals Learn to Swim Life Jacket

Although this life jacket is in the similar price range as the others, they still market it as the safest one.US Coast Guard approved, this jacket is perfect if you are planning on going to the pool or the beach. Furthermore, it is also perfect for boating as well, but you still have to be careful.The graphic designs are a nice touch, and there are five of them that you can choose from. In addition to that, it is quite comfortable due to the woven polyester and multiple panels inside.The best thing about this life jacket is that it has a safety harness on the shoulders. That sort of protection will keep it on, even if your child tries to take it off.

What We Liked

• checkThe adjustable straps make it great even if your child is smaller than 30 pounds.
• checkIt dries quickly.
• checkThe shoulder straps make this jacket safer than others because it will not slip off so easily, no matter how hard your toddler tries.

What We Didn’t Like

• exclamation-triangleMight not be the right model for bigger toddlers.
• exclamation-triangleThe designs might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

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Siran Toddler Life Jacket 

Even though it is a lesser-known brand, Siran has produced a rather inexpensive life jacket that might be just what you need.It has 80% Nylon, but it gets a bit of softness from the 20% Polyester. This is important because nylon tends to chafe and cause irritations on sensitive skin.Furthermore, the material inside it is eco-friendly, which is wonderful news for all those environmentally friendly parents out there. It comes with adjustable straps so that you can customize the fit easily. And, as if that were not enough, it will probably fit children from age 1 up to age 7.

What We Liked

• checkComes in two neutral designs – a blue and a yellow.
• checkHelps your child gain confidence and swim independently.
• checkIt is a cheaper alternative made out of quality materials.

What We Didn’t Like

• exclamation-triangleIt may look a bit cheap.
• exclamation-triangleOffers little design options, so your toddler might not like it.

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Conclusion

After reviewing all these life jackets, the winner is, without any doubt, Body Glove Paddle Pals Learn to Swim Life Jacket.Apart from the marvelous design, this life jacket is probably the safest one on the market. It all comes down to the shoulder straps that give you more control. Your child will need help getting out of this jacket, so you can rest assured that it will not slip off easily.Furthermore, because kids are mischievous, these straps will keep the jacket on even if they jump into the water. That, among other qualities, makes this a fantastic value for money and a product worth considering.