Your complete Guide to Float Suits for Toddlers and Kids
8 days ago
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What are float suits?
Float suits are swimsuits with integrated floats to help children stay buoyant in water and position them correctly when they are learning to swim.
The suits feature foam floats that are inserted into pockets around the tummy and back. You can remove these individual floats in pairs, gradually, as your child becomes more confident in the water.
Float suits in Australia are available in our long sleeve UV Protection Style.
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At what age can children wear float suits?
Children can wear flotation suits from two years, right up to the age of six. Younger babies may not be able to balance themselves or have the strength to keep their body above water, meaning they may tip forwards or backwards when wearing a
float suit. You should always ensure that you hold baby’s hands until they find their balance and remove floats one at a time until they are held stable under the water with just the tops of their shoulders and above, out of the water. When choosing the right size of suit for your child, don’t go by their age. Instead, measure their chest circumference, body length and weight, to ensure the best fit possible. -
Benefits of float suits
Float suits are essentially a swimsuit and swimming aid in one. Using them means you don’t need to worry about getting your child to wear armbands or rely on them to hold on to floats when they are in the water.
Foam floats are integrated into the swimsuit, so you can adjust the buoyancy as your child becomes more confident in the water and as their swimming abilities improve. It also means your child can’t easily remove the floats, which is a potential hazard with floaties.
The floats go around the child’s torso, leaving their arms unrestricted. This helps them develop a more natural swimming position in the pool, rather than lifting them upright out of the water, like floaties do.
A further bonus is that our australian Float suits feature UPF 50+ sun protection fabric that covers arms and legs, making them ideal for swimming outdoors in warmer weather.
Comparison Float Suit and Go Splash Swim Vest
Frequently Asked Questions Float Suits & Learn to Swim Products
All of our Learn to Swim products are designed to start from 2 Years old. Unfortunately, floatsuits aren’t suitable for babies under two years old. At this age,
babies tend not to have the balance and strength they need to support themselves in the water when wearing a float suit.
Although Splash About’s floatsuits are made from chlorine-resistant fabric, you still need to care for them as you would any regular swimwear.
Rinse the floatsuit thoroughly in cool water after use and leave to dry naturally, out of direct sunlight. (Don’t use fabric conditioner as this can damage the UPF fabric)
Regularly check the zips for sand—this could cause the zip to deteriorate over time.
Floatsuits work with your child’s natural buoyancy, preventing them from sinking, while enabling them to put their head underwater if they want to. Although they help keep the child safe in the water, they are swimming aids and aren’t intended as a safety device.
A floatsuit won’t turn a child the right way up if they are struggling in the water, or keep their head above water in the same way a life jacket would. As such, they aren’t a substitute for adult supervision.
No. Wearing a float suit with floaties will provide too much buoyancy, which could be dangerous.
Yes. If your child isn’t potty trained, they will need to wear a swim nappy under their floatsuit. Splash About’s reusable Happy Nappy™ range can be worn under a floatsuit for a confident, leak-free swim.
Swim Vests are suitable for children aged six to 10 and are ideal for providing support when learning to swim. They are worn over a swimsuit or board shorts.Splash About's Adjustable Swim Vest in available in two sizes 6-10 Years and 10-14 Years.
Swim Vests are a superb alternative to float suits and are suitable for older children and even adults. They are available in a wide range of designs and sizes. The Go Splash Swim Vest is available in 2-6 Years and the adjustable swim vest is available for 6-14 Years.
If your child isn’t keen on wearing a float suit, these tips should help them feel more comfortable:
Let them choose the style they prefer—there are plenty of options available, including bright patterns and colours to suit every child’s taste.
Let your child see how a float suit feels once they are wearing it—they tend to be much more comfortable and less restrictive than armbands.
As the floats are integrated into the swimsuit, your child needs only to put on one garment to have everything they need, rather than having to negotiate a swimsuit and a flotation device.
You can view Splash About’s full range of Floatsuits here.
- Babies should have the strength and balance to sit up confidently before they are able to use a floatsuit. Splash About floatsuits are suitable for babies aged one year and above, but older babies and even toddlers may find it difficult to stay upright. If you find your child is struggling in this way (for example, if they are tipping forwards or backwards), start with the minimum number of floats and gradually introduce them two at a time until your child is positioned so just their head and shoulders are above the water. Then hold both their hands in front of them and gently steady your child until they find their balance. This may take a few attempts.
- Don’t use floatsuits as a substitute for a life jacket on boats or during watersports.
- Wearing the correct size of float suit will help keep your child as safe as possible. So choose a suit based on their weight, chest circumference and height, rather than just their age.
- Supervise children closely—preferably one-to-one—when they are in or near water.
- Check that the suit you choose has the AS/NZS 1900:2014+A1:2015 test certificate. This means the suits have been tested to a rigorous safety standard to ensure they perform as the labelling states and safe for wear in Australia.
