Summer is such a fun time to create memories with your little one! We live in Florida, close to the beach and many pools. And we also have two summer babies!
So as a first-time mom and nurse, I started searching for the best baby pool float to keep my baby girl safe. I want to share with you the top things to consider when choosing the best baby float for your family!
Things to Consider When Choosing a Baby Pool Float
Safety
A baby float does NOT substitute for parental supervision. Always always always have your eyes on your baby when they are in or near water. You should be within arm’s reach when your baby is in the float to prevent any accidents from occurring.
Some safety features to look for in a pool float include child safety valves, seat straps, an inner spring for stability, and high-quality material to prevent sinking.
Sun Protection
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping babies out of direct sunlight and avoiding sunscreen for the first six months of a baby’s life. A canopy (especially one with UPF protection!) is a great addition to a baby pool float to protect their precious skin.
Type of Pool Float
There are a few different types of pool floats on the market: baby neck floats, floats for infants to lay reclined above the water, and floats to sit in.
The floats that circle around a baby’s neck became popular in the mid-2010s, but many experts claim these can be a bit risky. Some popular brands were recalled for deflation issues which is a concern for drownings.
Again, your baby should never be in the water without you in arm’s reach to ensure they are safe. So use your own judgment and what you feel comfortable with!
Convenience for Travel
If you’re planning to use a baby pool float while traveling (or even just for easy storage!), an inflatable float can be a great option because they compress down to be fairly compact.
Some spring floats also collapse down to be fairly compact.
Proper Size for Baby
Pay close attention to the size guides for the float you purchase. There are usually weight limits and recommendations for the months of age that the float will be suitable for your baby.
Best Baby Pool Floats
These are the top choices in our roundup of best pool floats on the market in 2022. Read on to learn more about what makes these baby pool floats great!
- Best Infant Pool Float with Canopy: SwimWays Inflatable Infant Baby Swimming Pool Float with Canopy
- Best Baby Float Ring: LAYCOL Inflatable Baby Pool Float Ring
- Best Baby Pool Float for Travel: SwimWays Infant Baby Spring Float with Canopy
- Best Baby Pool Float for 6 Month Old: SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center with Canopy
- Best Affordable Baby Swim Float: Intex My Baby Float
- Most Adorable Baby Swim Float: iefoah Inflatable Flamingo Baby Pool Float with Canopy
1. SwimWays Inflatable Infant Baby Swimming Pool Float with Canopy
SwimWays is a great, high-quality, well-loved brand on the market. This infant pool float is perfect for the littlest ones as it keeps them in a comfortable reclined position above the water. The reviews on Amazon show many parents raving about this float for their babies, even as young as 2 months old.
- Soft seat for baby with an adjustable 3-point harness
- Removable canopy with mesh sides to see baby at all angles and UPF 50+ sun protection
- Handles on the outer spring for parents to hold on to float
- Designed with a wide base, child safety valves, & dual air chambers for enhanced security
- Fabric covered inflation that provides durability
- Patented inner springs to add stability to the float in the water
- Mesh play space in front of baby to splash
- Folds flat into 3 compact circles & includes a reusable carry bag
2. SwimWays Baby Spring Float Activity Center with Canopy
This SwimWays float includes the same safety measures and high-quality material as all of their other floats.
This float is recommended for babies ages 9 months and up. It has thousands of amazing reviews on Amazon and many parents use this float as early as 6 months with their little ones. Of course, just maintain close supervision and keep your baby at arm’s reach at all times.
- Includes a fun octopus activity center that turns 360°
- Holds toys to play with including a soft-touch squeaker, rattle, stacking rings, and star
- Dual inflation chambers, safety valves & wide base
- Patented inner spring technology around the outside edge for greater stability in the water
- Detachable canopy with mesh sides to see baby at all angles and UPF 50+ sun protection
- Fabric covered inflation that provides durability
- Soft mesh seat for baby to sit in the water
- Mesh play space in front of baby to splash
- Folds flat into 3 compact circles & includes a reusable carry bag
3. SwimWays Infant Baby Spring Float with Canopy
Click here to buy on Amazon | Click here to buy on Amazon
- Features a soft mesh seat with secure leg holes so baby can sit in the water and splash
- Patented inner spring technology around the outside edge for extra stability in the water
- Detachable canopy with mesh sides to see baby at all angles and UPF 50+ sun protection
- Dual inflation chambers, safety valves & wide base
- Fabric covered inflation that provides durability
- Mesh play space in front of baby to splash
- Folds flat into 3 compact circles & includes a reusable carry bag
- Other cute options available!
4. SwimWays Mommy and Me Spring Float with Canopy
Made from the same great brand SwimWays, this float has a front attachable parent float to allow a loved one to float with baby and interact face-to-face. Great for 6-9 months and up!
- Detachable parent float – attach to the front to see baby or detach to swim side by side
- Dual inflation chambers, child safety valves & wide base
- Detachable canopy with mesh sides to see baby at all angles and UPF 50+ sun protection
- Fabric covered inflation that provides durability
- Patented inner spring technology around the outside edge for extra stability in the water
- Mesh play space in front of baby to splash
- Features a soft mesh seat with secure leg holes so baby can sit in the water and splash
5. LAYCOL Inflatable Baby Pool Float Ring
This baby float ring is very popular on Amazon and for good reason! It puts baby in an ergonomic angle which is great for getting comfortable in the water and learning to swim.
The unique design allows the baby to lay on their belly or their back. It comes in different sizes so it can accommodate your baby from 3 months up to 36 months!
- CPC Certified (AKA safe and non-toxic, friendly to baby’s skin)
- Removable sun canopy with mesh sides to see baby at all angles and UPF 50+ sun protection
- Double-layered air chamber with leak proof design
- Raised front and widened sides to avoid overturning
- Five-point harness safety protection
- Two swim ways – on their belly or back (breaststroke/backstroke)
6. iefoah Inflatable Flamingo Baby Pool Float with Canopy
Okay… could this baby float be ANY cuter?! Not only is it adorable, but it also has many necessary safety features.
Recommended for ages 6 months and up, but many parents have used it as young as 4 months and loved it! This float would be perfect for a vacation or a pool party for cute pictures!
- Dual air chambers and separate valves
- High-quality, non-toxic, durable material made from PVC
- Removable and adjustable canopy for sun protection
- Great for travel – portable design
7. Free Swimming Baby Inflatable Swim Float
Free Swimming offers another great option for a baby float ring with great reviews. It’s designed specifically for the baby to be in a horizontal position to learn to kick and swim.
- Removable canopy with UPF 50+ sun protection
- Recommended for babies 3 months to 6 years old – check the size chart!
- Great for travel – folds and stores in a carrying case
- Soft bottom support and crotch strap to keep baby safe and prevent from slipping out
- Shoulder straps to support baby’s body with adjustable harness
- Raised front and widened sides to prevent overturning
8. Intex My Baby Float
This is a classic baby float and the most affordable of all of these options! However, there is no canopy for sun protection so you’ll want to ensure your baby is in lightweight swimwear like a rash guard and sun hat.
- Dual air chambers and child safety valves
- Soft pillow comfortable backrest to support baby’s head and back
- Smooth seat straps
- Large outer inflatable ring and small inner ring for added safety and stability
- 33 pound max weight limit
9. Flyboo Inflatable Shark Infant Pool Float
AmazonThis adorable shark baby pool float would make for some really cute summer pictures! And your little one will have tons of fun with this float that includes bells in the shark’s teeth for fun sounds. It also comes in pink and yellow!
- Recommended for 6-36 months of age
- Detachable and retractable canopy that also acts as a fun way to play with baby by opening and closing the shark’s mouth
- Made of high-density PVC material
- Child safety valves and design that maintains floats balance
- Two side handles designed for parents to hold on to and maintain safety
10. Peradix Baby Pool Float with Canopy Sunshade
This baby whale float is cute and comes with a fun steering wheel to keep your little one entertained! It also comes in orange!
- Made from environmentally durable and non-toxic PVC
- Removable and adjustable canopy for sun protection
- Suitable for ages 3 months to 3 years!
- Air leakage prevention valves
- Safety hand grips on the sides
- Comfortable backrest
Are Flotation Devices Safe for Babies?
When placing your baby in any flotation device, a parent or caretaker should ALWAYS have their eyes on the baby. Close supervision is the most important factor in keeping babies safe in flotation devices.
As long as you are within arm’s reach of your baby when in any body of water (pool, beach, or lake), you can always ensure they are safe.
However, it’s always a good idea to check for important safety features on your baby pool floats as shown in the top picks above!
I hope in this list you find the best baby pool float for your family! They can be such a fun addition to your summer activities and get your baby involved in the water.
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