Fairly new to the swimming apparel scene, the toddler float suit offers parents an alternative to standard children's swimwear by infusing swim apparel with flotation elements. Toddler float suits have become extremely popular in recent years, becoming one of the hottest "must have" toddlers' essentials for summer sun and fun. The days of lugging a ton of blow up floating devices that do not offer the full confidence in safety are over; now you can fit your toddler with a swim suit that incorporates a safety feature that allows them to float freely without the uncomfortable factor that blow-up flotation toys and water wings carry.
The toddler float suit is a combination bathing suit and life-jacket in one. Flotation suits for toddlers are made out of standard bathing suit material that surrounds a floating foam. The suits are more body fitting so it loses the bulky and uncomfortable factor that often comes with wearing a life-jacket, vest or other such flotation device. Because these suits are more comfortable, it enables the toddler to float more freely, which makes them feel more secure and more willing to learn to swim and have fun splashing around in the water.
What to Look for
Toddler float suits come in two different styles. One style uses a one-piece bathing suit that has foam flotation pieces that are sewn into the upper torso portion of the suit. The other style uses the blow up floats that are then inserted into pouches in the torso portion of the bathing suit. Whichever flotation suit you choose, make sure it fits properly and is not too big, because a suit that is too big will do little to assist with floating properly and safely. Also, check for how much weight the specific suit is designed to hold. Newer toddler float suits also have UV protection, which is an important element to have as part of swimwear for children, offering yet another helpful means of skin protection.
Common Pitfalls
When choosing a toddler float suit that uses blow up inserts, it is important to make sure you can easily purchase replacement inserts. This way, should an accidental puncture occur, you will be able to purchase a replacement. Check mildew and mold formation periodically. Sometimes the build-up of moisture in the foam does not dry out properly and can play a factro in the formation of mildew and mold--so clean and dry them appropriately.
