Here it is, your little one is reaching the long-awaited milestone of 1 year old. They are growing rapidly, and their personal development is progressing every day. You’re probably wondering which activities to prioritize to stimulate their growth and especially to ensure they have fun and enjoy spending time with you 👶
Water play and learning to swim are excellent activities for a 12-month-old. It will allow your baby to expend energy, develop their motor skills, and build their confidence.
However, swimming must be done safely. This requires careful supervision on your part, as a parent, and also choosing a quality baby float. Inflatable floats are particularly suitable for 1-year-old children. There are various models, and today we’ll look at which ones to choose and why ☀️
Why choose a pool float for a 1-year-old baby?
Historically, inflatable floats are life-saving devices that allow adults and children to float in water, thereby reducing the risk of drowning. In 2021, pool floats are much more than just rescue equipment.
A true performance tool for the development of young children, baby floats are now essential for all little ones from 3 months to 6 years old. The 12-month stage is important for a baby. At this age, they become aware of their body, learn to walk, and can also learn to swim or splash around.
Just like the baby float for 6 months, the float for a 1-year-old baby will stimulate your child's development and allow you to share beautiful moments together during the holidays. Discovering water games and the joys of water with your little one is a wonderful life experience.
Before presenting all the different types of swimming floats, feel free to visit our special collection floats for 12-month-old babies by clicking on the link below:
You can also check out our other articles on baby pool floats to learn more about this fascinating world:
Make sure to keep your baby under constant supervision during each summer swim. The risk of drowning is always present, even if young children are equipped with flotation devices, such as a life jacket, floating swimsuit (UV-protective), giant float, or swim armbands. Carefully monitoring them will ensure their safety and your peace of mind.
What are the float models for 12-month-old babies?
As mentioned earlier, child floats are proven tools that are very beneficial for the physical and psychological growth of your baby:
- Baby swimming and physical development👶: the earlier a child discovers their body, the more natural physical abilities they will have.
- Ideal swimming learning🏊: the float for young children is an appropriate tool for learning to swim safely and confidently.
- Peace of mind for parents✔️: although every parent must act as a lifeguard during each swim by closely watching their child, the swim ring adds an extra level of security, reassuring parents.
Let's discover below the most popular float formats.
Baby seat float for 1-year-olds
Undoubtedly one of the most popular formats for babies and parents, the seat float is a safe bet that will fulfill its role as a float perfectly. Available in various shapes, often quirky and original, this pool float provides a reassuring seated position for your baby.
You will also find some models of baby seat floats equipped with sunshades for effective UV protection. Perfect for swimming during the summer season, in the middle of the afternoon (if the temperature allows, of course).
Neck float for 12-month-old babies
This float model is usually intended for the first swims, for babies between 3 months and 1 year old. This neck float has created much controversy due to the way it is used and attached to the child (around the neck).
Of course, many perinatal specialists have approved this format and even described it as beneficial for child development. We have also written a specific article on the opinions surrounding the neck float for babies to help you see more clearly and form your own opinion.
The neck float for babies has many advantages up to 12-18 months:
- Total body immersion: flipping is impossible, thus reducing the risk of drowning.
- Many models of non-inflatable neck floats or “indestructible” neck floats are available in our online store.
- Unmatched stability and buoyancy compared to other formats, always thanks to complete body immersion (that’s also why this model is preferred for the youngest, from 3 months, 6 months, 8, and 12 months).
For babies up to 6 months, you can read our article on infant floats. We explain in detail how to do your baby’s first swim and how to choose their pool float.
Animal floats for 1-year-old babies
This is not about choosing a format but a design. And it’s also very important because it will affect your baby’s mood, vitality, and happiness. Imagine your little one aboard their candy-pink flamingo float… Plenty of fun and laughter together all summer long!
Our brand of inflatable floats offers many models of baby floats in animal shapes:
- The swan,
- The unicorn,
- The toucan,
- The frog,
- The duck,
- The shark for the most voracious 👶,
- The duck,
- The dog,
- The cat…
To discover without delay by clicking the link below:
Swimmer floats and floats with harness for babies
This float model is particularly suitable for learning to swim. Generally featuring a natural swimming position at 40°, the baby swimmer float will create spontaneous swimming reflexes in your child. The crawl and breaststroke will no longer hold any secrets for them.
These floats and swimmer floats are suitable for children from 3 months to 3 years old (depending on the chosen model, see our specific article on the float for 3-year-olds). Enough to use the inflatable float for many seasons.
Alternatives to the inflatable float: armbands for 1-year-olds and floating swimsuits
Swimming vest, armbands for 1-year-olds, and floating swimsuits can be good alternatives to pool floats if the latter didn’t convince you.
However, these alternatives are more suitable for children between 2 and 3 years old. A 12-month-old baby first needs to get acquainted with the aquatic environment, overcome their fear of water, and any potential aquaphobia. The inflatable float will help them become familiar with this new environment.
Armbands, noodles, or floating swimsuits are pool accessories that offer much more freedom of movement for the child. This is a good thing, provided the child is already very comfortable in the water.
Some practical tips for buying a float for a 12-month-old baby
To conclude this article, we would like to inform you about the criteria to consider before buying a float for a 12-month-old baby or also a float for 18-month-old baby:
- Compliance with CE standards: make sure that pool toys and inflatable accessories comply with current standards. This is a reassuring and, above all, mandatory quality assurance.
- The inflation valve must be universal, allowing the float to be quickly inflated using an electric pump, for example.
- Prioritize specialists in these products, to guarantee long life and very good quality.
We hope this article has helped you see more clearly and that you now know which inflatable floats to choose for your little one 👶
If you still have questions, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to answer them. See you soon.
