TOP 10 SWIM FLOATIES FOR 1-YEAR-OLDS
We’ve always spent a lot of time in the water with our little one, so we’ve been using swim floaties since our son was 3 months old. Now that we live in Playa Del Carmen, we spend most of our time hanging out at the beach. Since we’ve been using floating for so long, we thought we’d write a post about the best swim floaties for a 1-year-old.
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Please keep in mind babies should be supervised at all times when near or in water. The swim floaties on our list are perfect for a day at the beach or in the pool.
Read More: The 12 Best Swim Floaties for 2-Year-Olds
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BEST SWIM FLOATIES FOR 1-YEAR-OLD COMPARISON TABLE
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BEST SWIM FLOATIES FOR 1-YEAR-OLDS
Here are our top 5 swim floaties for a 1-year-old. These floaties are great for getting your little one used to being in the water.
Some of these floaties even help get your little one in the proper body position for swimming. As they get older, the floaties grow with them to help your soon-to-be big kid learn how to swim.
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Obuby Baby Swimming Float Ring
You’ll notice the Obuby Baby Swimming Float Ring is very similar to the other swim floaties on our list, but it doesn’t include a sun canopy. The lack of a sun canopy is a major drawback, especially since it is for babies and young toddlers.
This swim float is great for a day at the pool with your little one. Although it lacks a sun canopy your baby or young toddler will enjoy independence.
They can pretend to swim, as the float puts them in the perfect swimming position for breaststroke or backstroke. It’s one of the best swimming floats for your baby.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Rope to hold onto float
- Repair kit included
- Different sizes available
- Travel bag included
Cons
- No sun canopy
- Plastic material
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SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center
The SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center is the most popular swim floaties on our list, with well over 10,000 units sold. This swim float is perfect for active 1-year-olds.
Your little one can enjoy playing with the adorable octopus, which turns 360 degrees, so your baby can interact and play will all of the toys.
This baby floatation device has four toys included with this baby float which include a plush star, a squeaker, a rattle, and stacking rings.
This swim float has additional safety features that provide more stability while in the water.
The dual air chambers, child safety valves, and innerspring help keep your baby stable while floating on the water.
Overall this is one of the better-floating activity centers for babies if you want your little one to have more toys to interact with. You can’t go wrong with this purchase.
Pros
- Activity center with toys
- Removeable sun canopy
- Carrying case included
- Mesh material to help baby stay cool
Cons
- No string to hold onto float
- More expensive than other floats
- Takes a long time to inflate with pump
Flamingo Baby Float with Canopy
Honestly, one of the reasons I added the Flamingo Float with Canopy to this list of the best swim floaties for a 1-year-old is because it is cute.
You can’t say your little one won’t look adorable at the beach or in the pool in this pink flamingo baby float.
Although this float isn’t meant for your little one to kick to move, it’s too adorable not to mention. Your toddler can hang out in the pool and cool off on a hot summer day.
The one drawback of this swim float is the lack of mesh material in the sun canopy, which doesn’t allow air through. Your little one may get a little hot, so hanging out in the water will cool them.
Pros
- Cute design
- Dual ring setup
- Back holder for additional comfort
- Affordable price
Cons
- Sun canopy doesn’t breathe
- A lot of pieces to pump
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LAYCOL Baby Pool Float
The latest upgrades to the LAYCOL Baby Pool Float have made it our favorite swim float for 1-year-olds. The reason this is one of our favorite floaties for babies is the additional safety features, along with the different sizes.
As your baby gets older the large sizes help them with their breaststroke and backstroke.
The design of this swim float makes it safe for your little ones. The front is raised to keep water out of your baby’s face, a 5-point harness system to keep them in place, abdominal support, and a buoy attached to the back that keeps the float from flipping over.
Note: This swim float should only be inflated to 80-90%
Pros
- Removeable canopy
- Two ways to position your baby
- Different sizes (grow with your little one)
Cons
- No handles or string
Read More: The 12 Best Swim Floaties for 3-Year-Olds
Mambobaby Baby Float
The most expensive swim float of the best swim floaties for babies is the Mambobaby Baby Float. The latest model includes an upgraded safety 5-point harness vest.
There are different models of this swim float. The most affordable model doesn’t have a canopy, and the deluxe model will cost you nearly $100. The standard model is perfect for babies as young as 3 months old or can be perfect for your toddler.
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One of the best things about this swim float is its compatibility. This model comes with a travel bag, so it’s easy to pack in your suitcase for a family vacation.
Unlike the other swim floaties on our list, this swim float doesn’t include a pump, so you’ll have to blow it up every time.
Pros
- Storage bag included
- Easy to blow-up
- Plenty of sun protection
Cons
- Doesn’t include a pump
- Expensive
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BEST SWIM FLOATIES FOR BABIES UNDER 1-YEAR-OLD COMPARISON TABLE
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BEST SWIM FLOATIES FOR BABIES UNDER 1-YEAR-OLD
The swim floaties in this section are perfect for babies under 1-year-old.
Each of these floaties has a sun canopy to protect your little one from the sun if they are too young to wear baby sunscreen.
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SwimWays Infant Baby Spring Float
Parents with babies who aren’t sitting up yet will love the SwimWays Infant Baby Spring Float. This is one of the only swim floaties on our list just for babies.
Your little one can lie down comfortably while you hold onto the attached handle at the front of the float.
Remember, this swim float is for infants, so once your little one starts sitting up on their own, they can no longer use this float. For the price, it may not be worth it if your little one is once six months.
One con about this swim float is the sun canopy doesn’t cover your little one’s legs. If they aren’t old enough for sunscreen, make sure your little one is wearing a rash guard to protect them from the sun.
Pros
- Designed for infants
- Handles for parents
- Sun canopy protection
- Travel case included
Cons
- Only for babies under 9 months
- Legs aren’t protected from sun
Full-bodied Rash Guard for Babies
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Peradix Whale Floatie
You must admit the Peradix Whale Floatie is the cutest swim float. That’s how babies get us. Everything is so cute you can’t help but buy it. What’s cuter than a baby in a whale float?
The horn is functional, and depending on how you feel about an annoying beep, it may be perfect for your 1-year-old. Our son is all about sound, so he’d love the sound that the horn makes.
Some parents report the sun canopy is low, so it will sit close to your baby’s head. If your little one is curious they’ll likely play with it. Overall, who wouldn’t want their little one floating in a colorful whole float?
Pros
- Patch repair kit included
- Max capacity of 35-45 lbs
- Handles for parents
- Functional horn
- Wide sun canopy
Cons
- Baby can move canopy
- Have to inflate sun canopy
- Leg holes may be too small for some babies
Qrooper Baby Swimming Float
The Free Swimming Baby Swimming Float is the newest baby swim float on the market but based on the reviews, parents love it.
Your baby can hang out in this float in two positions. It perfectly positions them to learn the backstroke and breaststroke. It would be great if this baby swim float had a back for your little one to sit.
This is the only floatation device that is large enough for big kids. You can buy one for your baby and older siblings, up to six years old. The different sizes make it perfect for kids still learning how to swim.
Your baby will have a blast relaxing in the pool on a hot summer day while being protected from the sun with the SPF 50+ canopy. If you are looking for the best pool float for a 1-year-old, this may be it.
Pros
- Removable canopy
- A lot of sun protection
- Increased safety
- Long term use
- Different sizes for big kids
Cons
- Canopy must be dried immediately after use
- Few color option
Parner Babies Swimming Float
The Parner Babies Swimming Float is our favorite float for babies under 1-year-old. We chose this as our favorite because of the features, protection, and additional accessories.
Your baby can lay on their stomach or back in the perfect position for learning backstroke and breaststroke. The cheat protector is a sponge material, so it’s more comfortable for your baby.
The detachable swim buoy helps to prevent your baby from flipping backward. Since it has a double-layered air chamber, your baby can float safely.
You can easily deflate and pack this swim float for your next vacation. Use it in the bathtub, at the beach, or in the pool.
Pros
- Bonus accessories included
- String to hold onto float
- Two different positions
- Durable material
Cons
- Specific order for inflation
- Pricey
JOYIN Whale Baby Shade Beach Tent
The JOYIN Whale Baby Shade Beach Tent is more of a pool than a swim float, but it’ll float in water, so I wanted to include it on this list.
I added this as one of the best swim floaties for babies because of the sun protection.
This baby pool/tent offers protection from the sun while at the beach with your baby. You can add water to it while you hang out on the beach or in the water.
For parents of newborns, this could be a great alternative to a regular swim float because babies need to be at least three months old to sit in a swim float.
Your newborn can lay in this pool and have 100% protection from the sun. If you have a baby that you do not want to get wet, this may be the best option for your little one.
Pros
- Complete sun protection
- Can use with newborns
- Great for the beach
- Drains from the bottom
Cons
- A lot of parts to blow up
- Easily punctured
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE BEST SWIM FLOAT FOR YOUR 1-YEAR-OLD
Here are all the things you need to consider when looking for the best floatation device for your 1-year-old.
Safety
The number one priority when looking for a floatation device for your 1-year-old is safety. We only included swim floaties that would be safe for babies.
This means there are safety measures in place to keep your little one safe in the pool. We only included swim floats for babies with a maximum weight of 50 lbs, with many being less.
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Position
The position of your little one is essential when choosing the best swim float for your baby. Most of the baby swim floats on our list allow your 1-year-old to float on their back or stomach.
These positions are the most natural and help reinforce the proper swimming form. You will be surprised how comfortable most babies are in the water.
Putting them in the breaststroke or backstroke position early on can help when they learn to swim.
A piece of advice is to get your baby into swim classes early. Our son started swim classes at three months and was doing great until we stopped going. Now that he’s a temperamental toddler, it’s a fight to get him in the water.
Sun Protection (Sun Canopy)
When hanging out at the pool or on the beach with your baby, one of the most crucial things is to protect them from the sun.
Although sunscreen is essential, one of the best forms of protection is covering your little one. Having a rash guard for your baby, as well as a large sun canopy, can protect them from the sun.
One thing you do not want is a baby with a sunburn. As an adult, I got sunburnt once and was nearly in tears.
Most sun canopies on this list are removable, but it is best to always protect your baby by keeping their skin out of direct sunlight for long periods.
Size
The final consideration for the best floaties for toddlers is the size. I do not recommend putting babies inside adult swim floats. They are more likely to flip over, and there are no safety measures to protect your little one.
To keep your babies safe, only use swim floats for babies. The additional safety measure will keep your baby safe in the water.
CONCLUSION: BEST FLOTATION DEVICE FOR 1-YEAR-OLDS
Our list of swim floaties for 1-year-olds has everything you need to keep your baby safe in the water. Some of the most important considerations are safety, shade, and position.
Either way, I am sure one of the flotation devices on our list is perfect for your 1-year-old. Now that we’ve provided the ten best swim floats for 1-year-olds, happy swimming to you and your little one.
