Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington shares her tips with us on taking your baby swimming with the help of her experience from when her daughter Summer was a baby. There are many types of pool floats on the market, but the first thing you should know is that there’s a difference between a recreational pool device and a personal flotation device. “A recreational pool device includes different pool floats that are usually inflatable and designed for recreation and not specifically to prevent drowning,” Dr. Watson warns. Do not rely on a baby pool float to serve as a personal floatation device. Blow up this two-chambered baby pool float and you’ve got everything your kiddo needs for fun in the sun. Not only will your kiddo love floating and splashing in the pool, but this baby pool float features an interactive (inflatable) handlebar that houses three balls that move through the clear bar as your kiddo moves in the float. If you choose an inflatable float, think about how difficult it will be to blow up, and whether you need a pump to help you out. Once it’s ready for the pool, you’ll also want to be sure it’s easy to get your baby in and out of the float without a lot of fussing.

Babies under one cannot wear armbands; however, many toddlers prefer them because they give the fiercely independent tots some freedom. If your toddler is learning to swim, armbands can restrict movement. It is a good idea to bring a baby swimming ring or float for smaller babies. But Take Note: This float is recommended only for babies 3 to 9 months old, so they’ll need a different one soon. It’s very convenient if your baby’s float comes with a built-in, adjustable canopy to shield their skin and eyes from the sun. But not all floats come with that option, and some canopies only work when the sun is at specific heights in the sky. That’s OK, though, according to May. For added fun, this float has two attached water toys to entertain babies just a little more. If you’ve got twins, there’s even a version of this baby pool float with two seats for babies and one spot for an adult, though that version doesn’t have a sun canopy. The price will really depend on the kind of swimming lessons you're looking for. While some pools and leisure centres offer pay-as-you-go schemes for swimming lessons, many will require you to pay upfront for lessons.Heading to the pool, or truly anywhere, with young kids always requires lots of extra stuff. You’ll love that this super-portable pool float folds flat and fits into the included carry bag. The bag has a long shoulder strap, so it’s easy to tote this lightweight float to and from the pool. We love that this float has both inner and outer rings that get inflated, plus there’s a spring inside to keep it all steady.

With that in mind, it’s up to you to choose between fully inflatable floats and those made with other floating materials such as foam. Some baby floats come with harnesses, while others just have holes into which you slip the baby’s legs to keep them upright. You can also choose all sorts of fun shapes, including flamingos, cars, spaceships, and even sharks. Affordable, safe, secure, and well-reviewed, this baby pool float is suitable for babies from 9 to 24 months old, one of the widest age ranges on this list. To use this device, an adult must inflate the inner and outer rings, which are connected via a mesh liner. The popular float has been updated with a special valve that will inflate up to three times faster than previous iterations of the same product. You’ll be in the water soon and save your breath!The wide base of the float has two inflatable air chambers and child safety valves to keep your baby upright. We especially like the built-in handles on both sides of the float that provide an intuitive place to grab, so caregivers can securely hold the float at all times. Why We Like It: The float, canopy, and octopus activity center all fold flat and fit in the small carry bag.