Drowning is a big issue in children under the age of 14 years old. Life jackets (also known as PFDs – personal flotation devices) therefore matter if you engage in water activities with your child. In this article we give you tips on how to choose a best infant life jacket.
Precautions for Choosing and Using Best Infant Life Jackets
Type II for Infants
Type II PFD life jackets are a good option for an infant. This type comes with neck and head support which will keep your baby afloat supposed that they become unconscious or if they have poor body control while in the water. This life jacket is best suited for infants and toddlers.
What You Need to Know for Boating
Normally, people are advised against taking babies to boats. It’s important to note that the US Coast Guard finds PFDs that are available in the market for newborns as inappropriate for babies due to their fit. Unless you first test your baby while wearing the PFD in a swimming pool, you will not be able to know if the life jacket will keep your baby afloat. Find out if the PFD will give your infant the support and safety your young one needs before going boating.
Be sure to check out the life vest’s label to find out activities it can be worn for. Also check to make sure that the life jacket fits the child properly by having the child raise both arms. This way you are able to identify if the PFD is protective enough or loose.
Best Infant Life Jackets Recommended
1. Stohlquist Unisex Infant Life Jacket
This infant life jacket has good supportive features for the child. The life jacket has a unique floatation which wraps around the child’s face, supporting not just the head but the collar area as well. It also has a front zipper and an adjustable crotch strap which keeps the jacket well secured. You can easily locate the loop under water and there are additional floating beads located around the neck/collar with a grab loop as well. The life jacket is made using nylon and it is a Type II PFD life jacket.
2. O’Neill Infant Nylon Vest
This life jacket is USCG approved and it features quick release buckles. The life jacket features PVC closed cell marine foam and is coated using a nylon shell which keeps your young one well protected while in water. It is a soft and comfortable vest. The life jacket has very good ratings and one reviewer says that it has a fantastic head/neck support system. When immersed in water, the jacket automatically supports the infant from head to back. Although it’s a bit bulky, it is safe and offers good support.
3. Stearns Infant Boating Vest
This is a life jacket designed for boating and it usable by infants’ weighing less than 30 lbs. The life jacket is made using nylon which is durable and features a one sided vest with a zipper and chest straps. These make it easier to adjust the vest and have a better fit for the infant. You can also adjust the crotch. It has good rescue handles which makes it easy for adults to easily move the child from the water. Its bright material makes it easily visible. Although some complained it might not be comfortable.
4. Omega Infant Type II or Child Type III Life Vest
This Type II life jacket comes with a long strap that keeps the vest in place. This prevents it from riding up while in water. It has a head pillow which is an extra safety feature as it gives extra head and neck support to the child. The vest comes with closed sides and these help eliminate chafing of the straps. Besides the chest strap, the vest also has adjustable belts. The jacket has largely good reviews with most reviewers’ praising its great fit and fun prints. Although there is complaint saying that e a zipper is needed to attach the two sides so that they won’t slide up into the kid’s face when he is in the water.
5. Full Throttle Infant Vest
This life jacket is designed for infants weighing less than 50 lbs. The life jacket has a leg strap which keeps the vest from shifting or riding up. The jacket also has a pop-up pillow which gives additional safety and head support for the child. For quick recovery, you can access the grab strap. You’ll notice that this life jacket is bright colored with graphics and this makes it easy to spot in water. It’s comfortable and flexible allowing the child to easily move around water.
Watch the following video to see a man tests an infant life jacket on a 5-month-old baby: