Best Infant Life Jacket

Before going on a boat with your baby, one of your biggest worries is: what is the best infant life jacket to put on your child. This is the most important item on everyone’s boat. Not only that, but children in every state must have a life jacket on, either according to a state law or the United State Coast Guard’s interim rule.

It is always better to be safe than sorry, my mother always says. If you make sure your child has the best infant life jacket money can buy, then your mind will definitely be at ease. Well, as much as a parent’s mind can be put to ease.

So, what should you look for in the best infant life jacket?

Comparison Table

What Is a Life Jacket?

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A life jacket is a personal floatation device made to help you and your loved ones stay above water, potentially saving lives. The jackets are either inflatable or companies make them with materials that keep them afloat in the water.

The inflatable life jacket has a small cartridge of carbon dioxide gas. When you activate this cartridge, it will fill your life jacket with this carbon dioxide gas. If for any reason you can not manually activate this cartridge, then there is a tube on the life jacket for you or someone else to blow up your vest.

The outside of life jackets is made from vinyl or nylon material which holds in specific material to keep you afloat. The material inside a life vest is either polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene. These materials are like a plastic foam which adds buoyancy.

Different types of life jackets

There are five different types of life jackets. For example, all Type I life jackets are bulky, which makes it perfect for those who have to wait a long time in rough seas. You must also know how to swim if you are using one of these life jackets. There are not any of the Type I life jackets at this moment that the Coast Guard approves.

Now for your little ones you, of course, need the best infant life jacket, which is a Type II. This is considered a “near-shore life jacket” but can be used on infants or small children while out in the ocean or in a pool.

Other life jackets are:

• The Type III life jacket is for those who know how to swim and can keep their own head above water
• Type IV is a device you throw to people who are in danger
• Type V is a life jacket that is made for specific water activities and those who know how to swim

The function of an infant life jacket

Of course, the purpose of the best infant life jacket is to save your child’s life in the case of an emergency. It also helps your little one learn how to stay afloat and can give them a break if they are tired.

How long is a life jacket good for?

Most life jackets are good for up to 10 ye​​ars. If your life jacket has a tear or it seems to be falling apart inside, then it is highly recommended for you to buy another life jacket.

You do not want to take a chance of wearing a faulty life jacket in an emergency.

The amount of weight a life jacket can hold

The best infant life jacket can hold up to 30 pounds, but your child also needs to fit inside the life jacket correctly. If the life jacket is too loose, the infant could fall right out of it. If the infant life jacket is too tight, it could harm your infant, and they may cry from discomfort.

Watch the video below to learn how to choose the right size for your baby and older kids:

Places you can purchase an infant life jacket

You can buy most life jackets in boating stores or other local stores that carry boat or pool safety items. We found that shopping online was the best because not only did we have more options but we also could read what customers really thought about the product.

When you purchase from a store, the employee may push a sale and not tell you all the good and bad things about that item. Where online, the customers do not receive anything for their comments and can be more open with their opinions.

How We Reviewed the Best Infant Life Jacket

Image Source: CC BY-SA 2.0, by Quinn Dombrowski via Flic​​kr

We picked the life jackets in this review by consulting a number of sources, including Amazon and parent reviews. We also checked to see that each of the best infant life jackets is made from the right materials. You want to make sure that you are not accidentally buying a child’s life jacket for an infant, after all.

Finally, we made sure that all of the life jackets had 4.0 out of 5.0 stars or more.

The Best Infant Life Jacket

When you are buying a product that could help save your child’s life, it is best to review all your options. Check out our suggestions below:

Level Six Puffer Baby Flotation Vest for Infants

Stearns Infant Classic Series Vest

Stearns Infant Classic is approved by the Coast Guard and is for children under 30 pounds. The company makes this life jacket with durable nylon material. This product has a grab handle and another strap next to the legs.

The Stearns Infant Classic Series Vest has a rating of 4.2 out of 5.0 stars. Customers so delighted with this life jacket and say it easy it is to p​​ut on their child. A couple of customers are upset they got a fake Stearns life jacket, and it did not say Coast Guard approved.

O’Neill Wake Waterski Infant USCG Vest

The O’Neill infant life jacket is Coast Guard approved and is a Type II vest. The company claims the life jacket is soft and durable. The straps are adjustable, and the company makes it out of nylon.

This product has a rating of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars. The customers are thrilled with how well this life jacket wo​​rks. There are a few customers that say this vest pushes their children’s face-up, but with what we have learned if that happens, then this is not the correct size for their child.

O’Neill Infant Superlite USCG Life Vest

O’Neill Wetsuits makes the Superlite USCG infant life jacket. The company makes this life jacket with polyethylene foam and has a polyester cover layer. O’Neill Wetsuits claims the life jacket is durable and soft with quick-release straps.

Superlite life jacket has a rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars on Amazon. Customers are loving the durability of this life jacket. Unfortunately, a few customers are upset the proof of this being certified by the Coast Guard is not on the product.

Airhead GNAR Child and Infant Life Jacket

The Airhead GNAR Child and Infant Kwik-Dry Neolite Flex Life Jacket is an excellent choice for parents who want to keep their children safe while they’re swimming or participating in other water activities. This life jacket is US Coast Guard-approved, which means that it meets the highest safety standards for life jackets.

One of the standout features of this life jacket is its Kwik-Dry Neolite Flex material, which is designed to dry quickly and provide a comfortable fit. This material is also lightweight, so it won’t weigh down children or restrict their movement in the water.

The life jacket features adjustable straps, which make it easy for parents to customize the fit to their child’s size and shape. The straps also have buckles for added security, ensuring that the life jacket stays in place while children are in the water.

Overall, the Airhead GNAR Child and Infant Kwik-Dry Neolite Flex Life Jacket is a great choice for parents who want a high-quality, safe, and comfortable life jacket for their children. Its US Coast Guard approval, Kwik-Dry Neolite Flex material, and adjustable straps make it an excellent investment for any family who spends time on the water.

CWB Connelly Baby-Soft Infant Life Vest

Salus Bijoux Baby Vest: Flotation Jacket for Infants

Salus makes this flotation jacket for children under 25 pounds. The mesh and web harness is adjustable. The company makes this jacket with a three-piece design to help hold the infant’s head in the middle. Coast Guard does not approve this life jacket, but parents are thrilled with how well it works.

Salus Floatation jacket has a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. Customers say this jacket is excellent at keeping their children above water.

Body Glove Infant PFD Coast Guard Approved Life Jacket

OldPAPA Swim Trainer Vest with Head Supportive Buoyancy Collar

OldPAPA makes this life vest for children up to 36 pounds. It has two adjustable straps and a heavy-duty zipper. The company states this life jacket is best for children who are learning how to swim, not those who can only float.

This life jacket has a rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars. Customers love that it fits tightly around their child and is lightweight. A couple of customers are not happy that the Coast Guard does not approve this life jacket. However, we added it to our list because parents really like it.

Boglia Toddler Swim Vest, Double Buckles Floaties for Kids

The Boglia Toddler Swim Vest is an excellent flotation device for children aged 1-9 years and weighing between 18-75 lbs. It features double buckles and an adjustable safety strap, which ensures a secure and comfortable fit, allowing children to play and swim in the water with confidence.

The vest is made from high-quality, durable materials that are designed to last through multiple swimming seasons. The flotation foam is lightweight, which allows for maximum mobility and ease of movement in the water, making it an ideal choice for children who are learning to swim.

One of the standout features of the Boglia Toddler Swim Vest is its bright and attractive design, which appeals to children and makes them excited to wear it. It also has a convenient grab handle at the top, which allows parents to easily pick up and carry their child in and out of the water.

Full Throttle Infant Baby-Safe Vest

Full Throttle makes an infant life vest with an oversized collar to help hold the head in place. The company makes the life jacket with two elasticized adjustable straps. This product also comes with a grab handle in the case of an emergency. Full Throttle recommends this life jacket for children under 30 pounds.

This life jacket has a rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars. Most customers like how great it fit on their babies and how it did not dig into their neck. There are a few customers who say it is too bulky.

Oceans7 Infant Life Jacket

The Coast Guard approves this infant life jacket, and it is Type II. Oceans7 makes this product with three adjustable straps and with nylon material. The company states this infant life jacket is for babies weighing 8 to 25 pounds.

Oceans7 infant life jacket has a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. Many customers are saying it is very comfortable for their babies and works excellent. A few customers are upset that the size guide is wrong and life jacket did not fit correctly.

Which Is the Best Infant Life Jacket for Your Baby?

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