Warmer weather means plenty of time spent poolside, hitting the beach or maybe even heading out for a family boat day. It also means staying extra vigilant around water, especially with little ones in tow. The best infant life jackets not only save lives but can allow you to more safely enjoy water activities with the fam. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1 to 4.
“Infant life jackets are necessary whenever a baby is near or on the water, including boating, swimming in open water and even playing on the beach near the water's edge,” says Sunsational Swim School founder Sarah Sebe. “Even if your baby is not directly in the water, accidents can happen, and it's important to be prepared.” Cute Newborn Outfits
The best infant life jackets let you enjoy family water activities with peace of mind.
When searching for the best infant life jackets for your child, you’ll want to look for a Type II, U.S. Coast Guard-certified life jacket, which is recommended for babies.
“Type II PFDs (personal flotation devices) have a headrest that will help keep an infant's head out of the water and are designed to turn a baby face-up if they are unconscious,” explains Sebe. “Look for essential features like adjustable straps for a secure fit, head support and a crotch strap to prevent the jacket from riding up,” she says. Other safety features she loves are a grab handle on the back for fast retrieval should your baby fall in and a brightly-colored design to make your infant easy to spot in the water.
All of our top infant life jackets picks below come highly-rated and are USCG-approved Type II PFDs. Read on to shop the best infant life jackets for boating, beaching and more with your babies this summer.
USCG-approved: Yes | Weight range: 8 to 30 pounds | Closure system: Zipper; quick-release buckle | Material: Polyethylene foam
What sets this highly-rated infant life jacket apart from the competition is its superior, fuss-free design. An open, double neck collar keeps your kiddo’s head safely cradled without all the bulk so babe won’t hate wearing it. The design allows babies the ability to look around too. Large arm holes safely let little ones splish and splash in the water without restricting arm movement. Other features to love are the convenient grab handle to pull your child out of the water quickly in case of an accident, adjustable straps so you can get the perfect fit and a single quick release front buckle plus zipper to get them out in a flash. An open back offers extra breathability as well.
USCG-approved: Yes | Weight range: Up to 30 pounds | Closure system: Buckles | Material: Elasticized fabric
This is one of the best infant life jackets for the price, by far—perfect for a one-off boat day, beach vacation or if your babe will just be sizing up next summer. It has a smart oversized collar to offer additional head support, which is especially great if your little one is still a bit wobbly. The thick, onesie-style elasticized crotch provides a snugger, more comfortable fit that won’t irritate your baby either. Bonus: No dangling straps! It also has a grab handle for easy retrieval and adjustable straps at the shoulder and waist for a custom fit. Overton makes a variety of U.S. Coast Guard-approved child and infant life vests that you can choose from as your kids grow.
USCG-approved: Yes | Weight range: 0 to 30 pounds | Closure system: Zipper; dual quick-release buckles | Material: Nylon
If you’ve ever tried to wrestle a baby into a life jacket you know it’s no easy feat. The bulk-free design of this lightweight O’Neill life vest makes it a clear winner in the comfort department, giving your kiddo the freedom to move without weighing them down. It’s U.S. Coast Guard-approved for kids up to 30 pounds and features adjustable buckles at the crotch and quick-release dual safety buckles at the waist, so getting a proper fit (and getting if off of them) is always smooth sailing.
USCG-approved: Yes | Weight range: 15 to 30 pounds | Closure system: Zipper and buckle | Material: Neoprene
With an impressive 4.8-average star rating on Amazon, this USCG-approved infant life jacket is praised by parents because their babies actually stay in it with less fuss—eating, playing, snoozing and cruising (around) comfortably for hours on end. It’s made of durable, fast-drying and super soft neoprene, so it always feels good on baby’s skin. It’s specifically designed for infants between 15 to 30 pounds and is a great option for parents of slightly older babies who are more mobile. Arguably the most stylish-looking life jacket on our list, the Gnar comes in a super cool and colorful unisex design with a supportive headrest, zipper closure, adjustable buckles and a grab handle just in case.
USCG-approved: Yes | Weight range: 0 to 30 pounds | Closure system: Zipper and buckle | Material: Nylon
Whether your baby is on the go or not, investing in a life jacket you can’t miss is a smart move. This bold life vest from trusted-brand Stearns comes in a bright green reflective material that allows you to spot your little fish in the water in a flash. It has a comfortable pillow-like headrest to flip them face-up should they fall in and a grab handle to swiftly rescue them. Several parent reviewers report that it works perfectly, immediately turning their babes over onto their backs with heads out of the water. All Stearns life jackets are also treated with a special antimicrobial coating to inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and fungi, which can shorten the lifespan of your life jacket.
USCG-approved: Yes | Weight range: 0 to 30 pounds | Closure system: Zipper; quick-release buckles | Material: PVC foam
Speaking from experience, there’s nothing more uncomfortable than wearing a soaking wet life vest. If you’ll be taking your babe in the water with you or letting them splash at the ocean’s edge, you’ll definitely want the West Marine with its special “Rapid Dry” technology to keep kiddos cozy and warm when they’re on dry land. Large arm holes and a stretchy flex back panel offer excellent range of motion and mobility so babies can play without restriction. The life jacket also features a full front zipper and adjustable quick-release buckles at the waist, as well as a crotch buckle to prevent it from riding up.
USCG-approved: Yes | Weight range: 15 to 30 pounds | Closure system: Zipper and buckle | Material: Polyester
The best infant life jackets aren’t just safe, they appeal to tiny ones too. Because older babies and toddlers are often more inclined to wear things when it comes in their favorite color or a cool, kid-friendly print, this ocean-inspired life jacket from Airhead is an excellent choice. It’s sold in two fun colors (hot pink or ocean blue) to suit your mini’s taste and has a soft, UV and stain-resistant shell to keep it looking brand-new for longer. Most importantly, it’s USCG-approved with a grab handle for fast retrieval and adjustable straps for a snug, personalized fit.
I spoke with two swim safety experts, as well as followed guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the United States Coast Guard to select the best infant life jackets to keep your little one protected around the water. Each PFD is a Type II vest, which is recommended for infants, and all of our picks are certified by the U.S. Coast Guard for maximum safety. I also pored over real parent reviews to see which life jackets fit best and were most comfortable for babies to wear.
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With Forbes since 1987, I cover personal finance, taxes, retirement, nonprofits and scandal. My debut novel was OFFSIDE: A Mystery. Website: www.williampbarrett.com. Email: wbarrett.forbes@gmail.com .
A journalist for five decades, I've written for Forbes since 1987. I cover personal finance, taxes, retirement, nonprofits, scandals and other topics that interest me. I also am the author of a novel, OFFSIDE: A Mystery. Email me at: wbarrett.forbes@gmail.com .
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