Best Life Jacket for Infants Reviews 2020
There’s nothing more important than protecting your child near the water. Many individuals hear about infants and small children drowning while playing near the water. As a parent, constant worry makes it hard to enjoy boating or other water activities. The best way to ensure the safety of your infant or small child, who hasn’t learned to swim yet, is having them wear a life jacket. Choosing a life jacket takes a lot of research to be sure it’s the right one for your child. In this review, you will read an overview of five infant and small children life jackets and features that you should consider before purchasing.
Best Seller – Stohlquist Toddler Life Jacket Coast Guard Approved Life Vest for Infants
- Quick release buckle over entry zipper for added security
- Adjustable crotch strap
- Convenient grab handle; Child: Type III PFD with sea level buoyancy of 8 lbs. 6 oz. Type III PFDs are NOT designed to turn a child...
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This model has a double foam collar that supports an infant’s head in the water with plenty of room for mobility and contentment. The Stohlquist open neck design allows an infant or toddler to have a full movable neck range that gives them plenty of room to still play without any discomfort. It provides both a smooth up and down zipper and a boxed stitched buckle with adjustable full-size straps for a snug fit.
This great infant vest comes with an adjustable crotch strap that helps to prevent it from riding up and causing chafing on your child’s neck or face. Also, it has large armholes to help stop potential chafing as well. The open back allows for skin breathability and comfortable sitting. There is a grab handle connected to the back of the life jacket for quick emergency access while in the water. This lightweight and durable vest is excellent for those who enjoy boating and have small children to take along for the ride.
Features:
- Grab handle for fast retrieval
- Double collar to cradle child’s head
- Large armholes to prevent chafing
- Open back for breathability and seat comfort
- Zippered front for easy on and off
- Single front buckle or added security
- Adjustable crotch strap
- Boxed stitched buckle
- Full-size adjustable straps
Verdict: The Stohlquist infant personalized life jacket has several features that will work well for a newborn and toddler. This life jacket is well-designed and is coast guard approved for infants and small children; it also is the best seller in the infant and toddler life jacket market. It is best suited for infants and toddlers who weigh between 8 – 30 pounds.
Pros:
- Leaves plenty of arm mobility
- The crotch can be adjusted as your child grows
- The straps are adjustable
- It has support for individuals with larger necks
Cons:
- For small babies, the zipper may rub against the neck and face area
Top Pick – O’Neill Wake Waterski Infant USCG Vest
- US Coast Guard Approved Type II PFD for babies up to 30 lbs body weight
- Comfortable nylon shell over closed cell PVC marine foam shaped to float baby face-up
- Adjustable safety belts with durable Delrin quick-release buckles and handy grab loop on the head cushion
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The O’Neill Infant USCG vest provides a comfortable nylon shell that contours around an infant or toddler’s body while also keeping it safe a secure. This vest design comes with a smooth up and down dual-fasten zipper and two adjustable buckles that can easily be modified for a comfortable, secure fit. It also offers an adjustable safety belt that goes between the legs to prevent it from riding upward and causing chafing.
The head cushion props up your child’s head above the water and gives a sufficient amount of coziness. This nylon shell vest design has an over secure cell PVC marine shaped foam that offers the right amount of support in the water and has a robust exterior panel backing. The O’Neill life vest is US Coast Guard approved and has ultraviolet protection from harmful rays which causes it to last longer.
Features:
- US Coast Guard Approved Type ll PFD
- Adjustable safety belts with durable Derlin quick-release buckles
- Useful grab loop on the head cushion
- Comfortable nylon shell over closed-cell PVC marine foam
- Adjustable safety belt between the legs
- Nylon panels with PVC backing
- Has ultraviolet protection on the material
Verdict: The O’Neill design will protect an infant or toddler from drowning by quickly turning them face up. Between the bright yellow nylon color and the attached grab loop strap, the coast guards will spot it and pull them out of the water quickly. This life vest is intended for boaters that need a life jacket for a child with less than 30 pounds of body weight and is our top pick in this review.
Pros:
- The crotch strap prevents the vest from slipping overhead
- Designed to smooth the progress of face-up flotation
- Material is ultraviolet protected
Cons:
- Not suitable for children over 30 pounds
- Bulky padding could be uncomfortable
Best Value – Stearns Infant Classic Series Vest
- US Coast Guard-approved toddler life jacket
- Great for introducing little swimmers to the water
- Durable nylon shell with PE flotation foam
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Stearns infant classic durable nylon shell is designed with PE flotation foam and is ideal for infants and young children just starting to swim. It comes with an adjustable leg strap that goes between the legs to help secure the vest in place. The grab handle is conveniently designed and sewn at the back of the life vest to give an adult easy access during a water emergency.
This one-sided vest has a secure zipper and adjustable buckle with a 1-inch webbed strap that goes across the waist to securely hold in an infant or small toddler. The Stearns durable nylon structure offers reliable head support that contains flotation foam that supports the head and neck. This classic design helps to keep a baby safely secure and can quickly turn them face up to prevent them from drowning if water accident should occur.
Features:
- Durable and long-lasting nylon construction
- Adjustable leg strap and grab handle
- Secure 1-inch webbing
- Open-sided vest
- Durable and heavy-duty shell with PE floatation foam
- Designed for infants under 30 pounds
- US Coast Guard approved
- Secure zipper and adjustable buckle
Verdict: When it comes to life jackets, this classic vest design has the right amount of features that make it ideal for infants and is the best value in the infant life jacket market. It is US Coast Guard approved and supports infants under 30 pounds of body weight to stay afloat.
Pros:
- Grab handle makes it quick and easy to pull a baby out of the water in an emergency
- Simple to take on and off
- Adjustable leg strap keeps the vest from riding up
Cons:
- It’s big and bulky, making it uncomfortable for some babies
Runner up – O’Neill Infant Superlite USCG Life Vest
- Lightweight Polyethylene Foam
- Coated Polyester Shell
- Soft and Comfortable
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The O’Neill USCG life vest design comes with a large head panel that keeps an infant or toddler’s head afloat while providing a contour neck support. This unique vest style has dual quick-release Delrin buckles that go directly across the chest and can be adjusted to secure the size of an infant or small child. Also, it has a horizontal up and down zipper to safely secure the vest against the body.
This lightweight design comes with an adjustable crotch strap that holds the vest in place and keeps it from slipping over an infant or small child’s head. The Superlite life vest meets US Coast Guard regulations for boating and is equipped to keep an infant snuggly secure. The coated polyester shell comes in a multi-colored design, pacific blue, yellow, and black. It also is offered in turquoise, berry, lime, and white.
Features:
- Made out of lightweight polyethylene foam
- It has a coated polyester shell
- Comes with a one-sided heavy-duty zipper
- Adjustable dual quick-release Delrin buckles
- Head panel keeps head afloat and safely supports the neck
- Adjustable crotch strap for added safety
- Grab handle for quick rescuing
Verdict: The runner up has a polyethylene foam design that allows it to flip a baby right side up so it can breathe freely and without drowning. Our runner-up Superlite life vest has a built-in grab handle for adults to quickly and easily rescue an infant or toddler. This USCG life vest is ideal for infants between 0-30 pounds and children between 30-50 pounds.
Pros:
- Crotch strap prevents the vest from riding up
- Designed to facilitate face up floatation
- It has a high-quality design
Cons:
- Suitable only for children below 30 pounds
Also Consider – Full Throttle Infant Baby-Safe Vest
- Oversized collar for improved head support
- Convenient buckle opening at collar makes it easy to put on
- Elasticized fabric leg strap for added comfort
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The Full Throttle vest supplies an ideal blend of features that gives infants a safe time out on the water. This baby safe-vest is made out of two durable materials, 200 denier nylon and 150 denier poly-twill. It is designed with an oversized collar that gives superior head support for an infant who is less than 30 pounds of body weight.
The elasticized fabric leg strap design fits right between the legs for added comfort and reassurance. It comes with a unique grab handle safety feature that gives a quick way to remove an infant from the water during an emergency. This patent design is US Coast Guard approved as a type ll life jacket and a personal floatation device. The Throttle vest has an open back design that allows an infant or small child to move freely while at play, giving them easy maneuverability.
Features:
- Grab handle for easy recovery
- Elasticized fabric leg strap for conformability
- Oversized collar for enhanced head support
- Provides a buckle opening at the collar and one at the waist
- Fits infants that weigh less than 30 pounds
- Made out of 200 denier nylon and 150 denier poly-twill
Verdict: We also considered the Full Throttle Infant Baby-Safe Vest; it may look oddly shaped and different than most, as it has one of its fastening buckles on the collar and the other in the traditional place around the baby’s waist. This vest designed is intended for infants that are less than 30 pounds of body weight.
Pros:
- It has a convenient open and shut buckle on the collar
- Encircling waist belt with an open and close buckle
- It has a large collar that provides ultimate head support
Cons:
- It is not easy to maneuver an infant in and out of
Best Life Jacket for Infants Buying Guide 2019
Features
US Coast Guard Approval – The Most Important.
Always be sure that the life jacket you choose has a label indicating it is US Coast Guard-approved; this will ensure that you have the best quality life jacket for your child. If it isn’t USCG approved, you may end up with one that is bulky and unsafe. The reason you’re looking at life jackets is to keep your child safe so read the inside label to determine if it is rated for infants and small children.
Comfort
An uncomfortable life jacket may leave your child cranky and complaining during the activity that is supposed to be giving them enjoyment. Comfort comes with the right size life jacket that fits perfectly, so look at the style of the vest.
Grab Loop
Many infant life jackets have a grab handle that is sewn on the upper back section of the vest for quick accessibility during a water emergency. A grab loop isn’t a mandatory feature but can make it easier to retrieve your child who has fallen in the high water.
Weight Restrictions
The weight limits are typically printed on the inside of the vest. It is best to choose one that goes with the current weight of your child. Don’t be tempted to purchase a life jacket in the same fashion as you would clothing and thinking your child can grow into it. This perspective will cause the life jacket to be loose on your child, making it uncomfortable and unsafe. Safety is vital, so the jacket must comply with the needs of your child.
Color and visibility
Most people typically don’t think about what color is best for a life jacket. In fact, you may not even think the color even matters and base it on your child’s favorite color to make them happy or just grab the cheapest one that is available. You may even want to keep your child’s life jacket in style with other PFD that you have seen out on the water. Even though you may not think color matters it does. For instance, dark colors are more difficult to see in the water; whereas, bright vibrant colors can be seen more easily giving your child a better chance of survival if they fall in the water.
Vertical zipper and buckles
The best way to keep your child safe while wearing a life jacket is making sure it is secure. A horizontal zipper and dual buckles will secure your child within the life vest, making them safe and comfortable. Some provide a crotch strap that goes up between the legs to prevent it from sliding over the head.
Head Protection
Many life vest designs are custom made to protect a child from drowning by quickly turning them face side up and keeping their face out of the water. These types of life jackets are ideal for new swimmers and infants.
Buoyancy
Clearly, the notion behind a life jacket is for them to be buoyant. In general, infant life jackets are made with nylon and poly-twill material, which has light buoyancy separately, but has the right amount for an infant or small child when used together. For infants, it takes seven pounds of buoyancy in order to hold a 30-pound child afloat. When you’re considering on purchasing a life jacket for your child, be sure to look at the buoyancy rating.
Things to Take Into Consideration When Purchasing an Infant Life Jacket
The Right Fit
Always make sure that the life jacket fits properly. Infant life jackets are solely based on weight, which makes it easier to locate one. Never hold up a life jacket to eye level to size it up because you may purchase one that is too large, which makes it unsafe to use. It is best to buy a life vest that has a crotch strap to make it more secure.
Best Support
Only purchase those infant life jackets that have supportive headrests. If an emergency should happen out on the water that you get separated from your infant, a supportive headrest will keep your child safe and above water.
Testing Prior to Use
Before taking your infant out in deep water, try a float test. Place the life jacket on your infant and then place them face down in the shallow water. If it’s an excellent working life jacket, it will quickly flip your infant upright keeping the face out of the water. If it doesn’t work in a few seconds, take your infant out of the water and don’t use that life jacket. Instead, purchase a new one for the safety of your infant.
The Importance of Wearing a Life Jacket
Many people feel that life jackets are essential. With that said, any small child that hasn’t learned how to swim yet, when you live near high water, or when you’re going to take them on a boat is going to need a life jacket. While a life jacket can save your child’s life, nothing is a substitute for a parent’s supervision. Always keep a close eye on your child near the water even if they have a life jacket on them. As there are several types of life jackets, you need to read the label to ensure you are using the correct one for your infant or little one.
Life Jacket Safety Points
Every year you should check your life jacket for wear and tear before using it. If you find any signs of mildew or the fasteners are broken, then throw it away. After you look it over, try it on your small child to see if it still fits the way it should. If it does, great. If not, you will need to purchase a new life jacket that will keep your child safe.
If your child panics and freaks out in the water, the life jacket may keep your child face down in the water instead of flipping over as it is supposed to do. To avoid this panic behavior, get your child familiar with the life jacket and its abilities to help them overcome these panic episodes.
Never alter a life jacket as it will no longer be US Coast Guard approved if you do. You should always wear your life jacket while you are in deep water; this will set a good example and give you support in an emergency situation to get to your child.
Don’t attach place a life jacket around a car seat for your infant or small child. The weight of the car seat will cause it to flip upside down with your child’s head underwater, which will result in them drowning if it isn’t flipped right side up in time.
Frequent Asked Questions
How do I test the fit of an infant life jacket?
Before going out on the water, place the life jacket on your child and be sure that you have tightened it as if you were going out boating. Then, gently lift your child by the shoulders of the vest to see if it slides over the head. It should not go past the ears or chin.
Why can’t my infant use a larger child’s life jacket?
Apart from it being loose and too big, a child’s life jacket doesn’t have a head cushion to support the head out of water like an infant life vest. Also, many child vests don’t come with a crotch strap leaving is possible for the life vest to slip over the infant’s head.
If my child is 30 pounds, which one should be used an infant or child life jacket?
That is a hard question as it will depend on the size of your child as well. However, the head cushion makes an infant life vest a better choice because it will have better support. Test it in the water; if your child begins to sink, it’s time to upgrade to a child’s life vest.
Is type I or type II best for an infant life jacket?
Type II is the best adaptable life vest for an infant. These types of life vests are not bulky and provide enough head support to keep it above water. This style also typically has a grab loop and an adjustable crotch strap.
Why does my infant need a life jacket?
The significance of a life jacket will depend on the activity you intend to do. If you’re going boating, then yes, a life jacket is a must. Accidents happen quickly out on the water; if your boat should sink, then your infant would have a better chance of survival because of the protection of a life jacket.
What is a crotch strap used for?
A crotch strap will help to secure a child like a car seat 3-point system; it also will keep the life jacket from sliding upward and coming off over the infant’s head.
How does a life jacket protect my infant or small child?
Life Jackets protect those who are wearing them in many ways. The foam material of a life jacket distributes the weight and size of the child with a tremendous amount of water to cause them to float. It is best to choose a bright color to make it visible.
Do infant life jackets expire?
Life jackets that are made out of foam typically do not expire. However, you do need to be careful not to crush them as it will lower the buoyancy of the life jacket. If it’s damaged, it will need to be replaced.
Is it required for infants to wear life jackets out on the water?
According to the US Coast Guard’s office of boating safety, infants that weigh eight pounds or more should indeed wear a life jacket. If your infant does weigh eight pounds yet, then it’s best not to take them out on the water until a life jacket can be worn.
Can an infant drown with a life jacket on?
There always is a slight chance during situations like a vast wave takes them underwater for a long time. If the head is underwater more than above the water, then it is possible for an infant to drown.
Conclusion
As a parent, you will always be in the position to look out for your infant or small child. If you live near a stream, lake, or river, you will want to purchase a life jacket that fits as it may save your child’s life. For an infant life jacket, you will want to double-check that it is good quality like the ones that were covered in this guide. The ones in this review will provide an infant or small child with plenty of head and neck support so much that its little head will stay above water.
All of these infant life jackets are US Coast Guard approved, which means you can be sure of the quality and durability. Even still, always test out the life jacket before traveling out on the water to find out that it isn’t a safe, secure life vest. Once you have selected and tested a life jacket for your infant or small child, you will be ready to take them out on the water.
