The Best Life Jackets for Infants and Toddlers

For a child, there’s something so exciting about putting on a life jacket. It signals an adventure is about to begin. Whether it’s a boat trip or just a dip in the pool, a kids life jacket signals big fun is ahead.

Parents can’t help but feel anxious when that little one wears a life jacket. Sure, it’s a fun time, but parents also understand the danger lurking in the depths.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed in your baby life jacket shopping, read on for information on how to choose the right children's life jacket to protect your child.

Choosing the Best Toddler Life Jacket

It’s awful to think about, but a life jacket is intended for the absolute worst-case scenario. As such, you need to choose a jacket that will save your child’s life in an emergency.

What are some life-saving features you need to look out for?

First, check the U.S. Coast Guard classification. The USCG designates a life jacket’s capabilities with types.

• Type I - This is a life jacket intended for serious adventures. These ones tend to be bulky and uncomfortable, but they are intended to flip over an unconscious person. It also will keep you afloat in rough waters if rescue is not immediate.
• Type II - If you’re off on a boat day or swimming in a pool with a little one, this jacket is your go-to. This is intended for use where rescue is immediate. It shouldn’t be used in rough waters. It can turn some unconscious victims and usually requires the swimmer to tread water until rescue.
• Type III - These jackets should only be used in supervised activities that are close to shore. It isn’t intended to turn an unconscious wearer. This is a light and comfortable jacket, but it provides minimal protection.

Infant and toddler life jackets are often targeted toward age ranges, like 1 to 3 years or 2 to 4 years. The age and weight limits are important to abide by, but also look for a Type II designation.

What if the life jacket you’re considering doesn’t have a U.S. Coast Guard seal of approval? Simple. Don’t buy it. You want the assurance that the approval of the USCG gives.

Second, does the life jacket have a proper neck and head support? The extra head cushioning is probably what will make a jacket uncomfortable for your little one, but it will keep their head above water.

Third, a quality child’s life jacket needs a grab loop. The little loop at the top isn’t for hanging up the jacket when it’s not in use. The loop is to be used as a handle to enable you to pull the child out of the water if you need to.

Last but not least, look for a jacket with a crotch strap. It may seem like a weird feature to be on the lookout for, but it stops the vest from sliding over the head of an unconscious wearer.

The above is certainly a lot of information to take it. Is there some way to just review a list of the best life jackets and choose one from it? Well, since you asked, yes you can!

The Top Infant Life Jacket

Stearns Classic Infant Life Jacket

Stearns is one of the biggest and most trusted names in water safety and with good reason. For over 60 years, their products have protected children and adults alike in the water.

This no-nonsense life jacket doesn’t have any fancy features, which is why it’s a winner. When it comes to your baby and the water, you don’t need any cute characters or flashy decals. You need protection.

The Stearns infant life jacket is approved for children up to 30 pounds. The chest belt and crotch belt are both fully adjustable for the perfect fit.

It boasts a USCG stamp of approval. It has a crotch strap and a grab loop at the top. The collar head-support is quality PE protection foam encased in super strong nylon.

Let’s hope you never have to find out, but in case of an emergency, a Stearns jacket will save a life.

The Best Toddler Life Jackets for 1 Year Old and Up:

Stohlquist Toddler Life Jacket

This Stohlquist life jacket is ready to help introduce a lifelong love of water to your little one.

As it turns out, because of similar weight ranges, infant and toddler vests are almost identical. As such, this toddler life jacket can also be used for an infant. This jacket can be worn by infants and toddlers weighing 8 to 30 pounds.

It has a double collar, for extra head support while in water. It also features a wide neck for better comfort.

Unlike the Stearns jacket, this one has an open back for breathability so you can avoid a sweaty toddler. This also allows for better arm mobility.

This life jacket comes in several bright and flashy colors so be sure to ask your toddler to choose their favorite!

Full Throttle Infant/Child Nylon Vest

When searching for life jackets, you’ll find most companies move children into Type III jackets when they hit the 30-pound weight limit of toddler vests.

We’ll have to agree to disagree. Young children aren’t known for being strong swimmers. Because of this, it’s truly safest to keep kids in Type II vests as long as possible. Also, aren’t a lot of toddlers over 30 pounds anyway?

Full Throttle offers a high-quality Type II vest that accommodates children up to 50 pounds. Also, it comes in fun fish and mermaid prints!

Once your child graduates from this vest, they can move on to the brand’s fun youth vests, like this dinosaur one!

Wrapping It Up

Being in the water is an awesome experience for all ages, even the littlest adventurers. Infants and toddlers are seriously precious cargo though, so protect them like they are!

Before letting your child anywhere near a body of water, make sure they are wearing a life jacket that meets all of the proper safety standards.

In addition to wearing a life jacket, be sure your child is enrolled in swimming lessons which have been shown to reduce the risk of drowning by as much as 88%. At Sunsational Swim School we specialize in swimming lessons at your home or community pool. Learn more about private swimming lessons and bring the swim school to your pool today!

Sarah Sebe

Founder, Sunsational Swim School