Best_Infant_Life_Jackets

It’s never too early to introduce your baby to the joys of water activities. Getting the youngest member of the family out there on the water can put a huge smile on their face. To ensure your baby’s safety on the water, it’s important to outfit them with the best infant life jacket. A life vest for a child should fit comfortably and encourage face-up flotation.

To help you find the best infant life vest for your little one, our infant life jacket reviews will take a closer look at the top rated infant life vests while the buying guide will outline the features to consider to make sure you’re getting the best life jacket so your baby will be safe, happy, and comfortable in.

1

OUR TOP PICK

Stohlquist Waterware

Stohlquist Waterware


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Summary

The Stohlquist Waterware infant life jacket is the safest life vest for infants. It’s equipped with a wraparound flotation that provides a sea level buoyancy of 7 lbs. 6 oz., and dual support collars that cradle the baby’s head. Most importantly, the Stohlquist is capable of turning a child face-up in the water. All these qualities make it the ultimate life vest for babies and earn it approvals by both the US Coast Guard and Transport Canada.

Material and Comfort 

Thanks to the V-neck design that allows the child's head and neck to fit in comfortably, the Stohlquist Waterware is one of the best fitting infant life jackets around. It’s also among the most comfortable life vests for babies as it isn’t bulky or restrictive, and it doesn’t ride up the cheeks.

Fit and Features

This top rated infant life vest has all the essential features a life jacket for a baby should have. The front zipper, waist strap, and adjustable crotch strap ensure a secure fit, while the grab handle offers an easy way to grab the baby out of the water. Finally, the vest comes in a wide range of high-visibility color options.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Transport Canada and USCG Approved
  • Wrap-around floatation can flip a baby face-up
  • Dual support collars support the head and act as a pillow
  • Crotch strap for security and grab handle for lifting a child
  • High-visibility colors make babies easy to spot
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Infants and Toddlers
Approvals: Transport Canada and USCG Approved, Type II
Size: 8 – 30lbs.
Material(s): 200D Oxford Shell and Liner

2

EDITORS CHOICE

Stearns Classic Series

Stearns Classic Series


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Summary

The Stearns Classic toddler life jacket is secure, protective, and comfortable enough to stand up to tubing, waterskiing, boating, and swimming. These qualities are attributable to the open sides and three chest belts that ensure a secure fit and superb freedom of movement. Most importantly, the PE foam provides reliable flotation should a child end up in the water.  

Material and Comfort

Made of a soft nylon shell, a polyester liner, and PE flotation foam, the Stearns child life vest feels soft and doesn’t get in the way of fun and play. On top of this, the open-sided design provides breathable comfort and allows the arms full range of motion.

Fit and Features 

Three adjustable chest belts guarantee a secure but comfortable fit. These straps also feature robust buckles that toddlers can’t open on their own. Additionally, the adjustable crotch strap ensures the vest won’t ride up or slip off. 

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Secure and comfortable toddler floaties for water sports
  • Open sides allow freedom of movement and cool comfort
  • Three belt straps with strong buckles ensure a secure fit
  • Leg strap keeps the vest from riding up in the water
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Tow Sports, Boat, Tube, Water Skis, PWCs
Coast Guard Approved: Yes, Type III
Size: 30 to 50lbs.
Material(s): Nylon, Polyester, PE Foam

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3

BEST VALUE

O’Neill Superlite

O’Neill Superlite


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Summary

Highly buoyant yet lightweight with minimal bulk, the O’Neill Superlite baby life vest will ensure your baby will be safe and comfortable in the water. Best of all, it’s offered at an amazingly affordable price making it the best infant life vest for the money.  

Material and Comfort

Low-bulk comfort is the best thing about the Superlight life jacket for infants. The combination of a polyester shell and lightweight polyethylene foam provides excellent buoyancy without weighing your baby down. Furthermore, the head panel will keep your baby’s head and neck supported.

Fit and Features

To prevent ride-up and slip-off, the Superlight PFD features an adjustable leg strap. The front zipper and buckles ensure the vest is secure, while the two adjustable waist belts give you a way to make the vest snug yet comfortable. Capping the vest off is a safety loop for pulling the baby from the water.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Minimal bulk for comfort and freedom of movement
  • PE foam provides excellent buoyancy without much bulk
  • Head panel provides support for the head and neck
  • Crotch strap to ensure the life vest stays in place
  • Safety loop to use when grabbing a child out of the water
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best Use: Boating, Kayaking
Coast Guard Approved: Yes, Type III
Size: 0-30 lbs.
Material(s): Polyester Shell, Polyethylene Foam

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4

MTI Type II

MTI Type II


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Summary

A Type II infant life jacket equipped with a supportive collar, the MTI infant PFD provides an amazing 9 lbs. 6 oz. of flotation. This is more than enough buoyancy to keep an infant afloat. More than that, it’s capable of flipping a baby face-up in the water within seconds. 

Material and Comfort

Made of a supple nylon shell and a soft foam that conforms to the body, the MTI provides snugly comfort. Babies find it so comfortable that they sleep in it. When awake, the collar lays back out of the way and the arm openings allow the baby to move his or her arms freely. 

Fit and Features

Designed with the safety of an infant in mind, the MTI ticks all the boxes when it comes to essential features. Adjustable belly and crotch straps ensure the vest fits comfortably and stays put. In an emergency, the high-visibility hue keeps your baby visible while the bright grab loop makes it easy to lift them out of the water.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Incredibly buoyant – provides 9 lbs. 6 oz. flotation
  • Type II PFD turns baby face-up in the water within seconds
  • Adjustable crotch and belly straps ensure the vest is secure
  • Highly visible color makes the child easy to spot in the water
  • Strong and bright grab loop for lifting the baby out of the water
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Boating, Kayaking
Coast Guard Approved: Yes, Type II
Size: 0 – 30 lbs.
Material(s): Nylon Shell, Closed Cell Foam

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5

Full Throttle

Full Throttle


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Summary

The swaddle-like design makes the Full Throttle child life jacket the best infant life vest even for the smallest babies. It’s a Type II life vest designed to provide extra safety and comfort for infants. The soft nylon shell and lightweight poly-twill flotation foam provide comfort and buoyancy ensuring your baby will enjoy the water happily and safely.  

Material and Comfort 

One of the best things about this infant life jacket Coast Guard Approved is the oversized head support. It provides very good support for the head and neck and excellent cushioning if you encounter a wake. The shell material also feels soft and the leg strap is elasticized for added comfort. 

Fit and Features

The buckle opening at the collar ensures the Full Throttle life jacket for kids is easy to put on an infant. Once the vest is on, the shoulder strap and waist belt offer a secure yet comfortable fit. In an emergency, the bright and patterned design is highly visible and the grab strap at the top makes it easy to lift the baby out of the water.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • The oversized collar provides excellent head and neck support
  • The waist belt and shoulder strap ensure a secure fit
  • Grab strap for easy of recovery if needed
  • A buckle on the collar provides easy on and off
  • Elasticized fabric leg strap provides extra comfort
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Youngest Babies
Coast Guard Approved: Yes, Type II
Size: Under 30lbs.
Material(s): 200D Nylon, 150D Poly-Twill

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6

Airhead Infant’s General Purpose

Airhead Infant's General Purpose


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Summary

The most prominent feature on the Airhead Type II infant life jacket Coast Guard Approved is the bright and vibrant yellow hue. It makes sure your baby will be easy to spot wherever they are. As for safety, the segmented head pillow supports your baby’s head and neck and ensures face-up flotation.

Material and Comfort

Made of soft yet durable polyester, the Airhead is a top rated infant life vest for its top-notch quality and comfort. This combined with the top-level safety it offers makes it a general-purpose kids life jacket suitable for any activity on the water.

Fit and Features

The Airhead is well-thought-out and has all the necessary features. For a secure yet comfortable fit, the crotch and belt straps are adjustable and have easy-release buckles for ease of donning and doffing. Lastly, this infant vest has a top grab handle for fast retrieval of your child from the water.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Versatile general-purpose vest suitable for all activities
  • Designed to properly-float infants in the face-up position
  • Bright and vibrant yellow guarantees visibility for your baby
  • Adjustable belt straps and leg strap provide a secure custom fit
  • Grab strap makes recovery easy when needed
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: General Purpose
Coast Guard Approved: Yes, Type II
Size: Up to 30lbs
Material: Polyester

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7

Stearns Puddle Jumper Hydroprene

Stearns Puddle Jumper Hydroprene


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Summary

The Stearns Hydro puddle jumper for infants is certified for boating. As such, it’s the best infant life vest to go for if you’re looking for a safe yet comfortable infant lifejacket for boat trips. If your little one ends up in the water, the highly-buoyant Crosstech foam and oversized head support will ensure face-up flotation. As a bonus, the pretty pink/purple color scheme is highly visible in the water. 

Material and Comfort

The shell of the Stearns infant puddle jumper is made of Hydroprene, which is lightweight, super-soft, and breathable. Combine this with the flexible design that allows the baby to move around and you have one of the most comfortable baby life jackets.

Fit and Features

Equipped with two adjustable legs straps, the Stearns Hydro life jacket for baby fits securely and comfortably. Putting it on and off isn’t a struggle as the side opens with a buckle and the back has a zipper. Lastly, a grab handle allows you to easily pick an infant from the water.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Safe and comfortable infant PFD certified for boating
  • Oversized head support encourages face-up flotation
  • Two adjustable leg strap ensure a secure fit
  • Back zipper and side buckle provide easy on and off
  • Rescue handle for ease of rescue from the water
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Boating
Coast Guard Approved: Yes, Type II
Size: Up To 30lbs.
Material(s): Hydroprene, Crosstech Foam

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8

Salus Bijoux 9-25lbs.

Salus Bijoux 9-25lbs.


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Summary

The Salus Bijoux baby’s life jacket is the best newborn life jacket for the youngest babies weighing 9-25lbs. Unlike bulky life jackets that make babies miserable, this one is non-bulky, breathable, and non-restrictive. In the water, the three-piece collar with a flotation on the sides ensures the baby floats face-up.

Material and Comfort

While this life vest for an infant doesn’t come cheap, the level of comfort it provides makes it worth the money. First and foremost, the mesh harness and back ensure the baby won’t overheat in the summer heat. Since the front is short, baby can sit and look around without a collar bunching up in their face. Additionally, the design allows free movement of a child’s torso, arms, and legs.    

Fit and Features

When it comes to fit, the Salus Bijoux has four adjustment straps to ensure a secure fit while still maintaining comfort. As for the handle on the back of the head cushion, it’ll come handy should you ever need to take your baby out of the water. 

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Unmatched fit, comfort, and security for tiny infants
  • Winner of the Canadian Safe Boating Award (CASB)
  • Three-piece collar design cradle baby's head
  • Collar and side flotation encourage face-up flotation
  • Mesh harness and short front for comfort when sitting or lying
  • Easy to reach grab strap for lifting baby out of the water
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Youngest and Smallest Infants
Coast Guard Approved: N/A (No testing standards for this size)
Size: 9 – 25lbs. (12-18inch chest)
Material: Mesh

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9

MW Heads Up

MW Heads Up


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Summary

The MW Heads Up infant life jacket is one of the safest PFDs you can get on a limited budget. It’s one of the most buoyant life vests for infants yet offered at an affordable price. The Type II design offers plenty of buoyancy to keep your baby’s face out of the water, while the yellow/blue design ensures visibility.  

Material and Comfort

Being a type 2 life vest, the MW Heads Up is a bit bulky and restrictive. Because of this, it’s ideal for short trips on the water. On the upside, the material and padding are soft and the fit is adjustable.      

Fit and Features

Two adjustable belt straps make the MW baby life jacket expandable. It will fit a small infant and grow with them. Topping the PFD off is a crotch strap for security and a grab strap to hold onto while floating a baby or lifting them out of the water.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Highly buoyant Type II PFD design keeps face out of water
  • Adjustable belt and crotch straps for a secure fit
  • Grab strap for ease of retrieving baby when necessary
  • Yellow/blue color scheme is highly visible in the water
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Safety on a Budget
Coast Guard Approved: Yes. Type II
Size: 0-30lbs.

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10

Mustang Survival Lil’ Legends 100

Mustang Survival Lil' Legends 100


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Summary

The Mustang Survival Lil’ Legends infant life jacket provides dependable safety and exceptional comfort for coastal boating. Coming from a company that supplies the Coast Guard and commercial mariners with PFDs, it’s filled with a highly-buoyant foam that’s sure to keep your little one’s head above water.

Material and Comfort 

For maximum comfort and mobility, the Lil' Legends is easy-moving and well-ventilated. To ensure heat doesn’t ruin the fun, cooling channels and mesh in the back allow airflow to keep baby cool. Additionally, the AirSoft foam is lightweight and flexible so it doesn’t restrict movement.

Fit and Features

The Mustang Survival Lil’ Legends life vest for baby is secured by a strong front zipper, and a belt and crotch strap with sturdy Delrink buckles. On top of this, the strap at the top allows you to lift the baby easily.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Made by a company that supplies the Coast Guard and commercial mariners
  • Highly-buoyant foam provides reliable flotation for coastal boating
  • Segmented head pillow supports and helps keep head above water
  • Airsoft foam cools quickly and moves with the wearer
  • Channeled back panel keeps baby cool in the hot sun
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Best For: Ocean Boating and Paddling
Coast Guard Approved: Yes, Type II
Material: Mesh, Airsoft Foam
Size: 20-30lbs.

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How To Choose An Infant Life Jacket – Buying Guide

How_To_Choose_An_Infant_Life_Jacket

Type

Related Post: Life Jacket Buying Guide

For the highest level of safety, the best life jackets for infants are Type II life jackets. These types of baby life jackets provide reliable flotation, head and neck support, and are capable of flipping the baby face-up if they happen to float with the face down.  

Related Reviews: Life Jacket For Non-Swimmer & Sailing Life Jacket

Certification (US Coast Guard Logo)

To ensure your baby is safe and to stay legal, make sure that the infant’s life vest you choose is tested and approved by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). However, the USCG does not certify newborn life jackets for babies weighing less than 20 pounds.  

Use

Children are naturally fussy and bound to put up a fight if you’re trying to force an uncomfortable floatation device on them. With that in mind, it’s important to choose a life vest infant will love and still enjoy the water with it on. Life jackets kids don’t mind wearing are easy to don and allow freedom of movement.    

Fit

Life jackets for kids should fit snug so there is no possibility of the life jacket infant has slipped off. First and foremost, choose the right size for your baby’s weight, like life vests infant sizes are based on weight. When you put the vest on, adjust the belt straps and the crotch strap that goes between the child’s legs to ensure a secure fit. 

Quick Dry

Life vests for infants should be made of water-resistant and quick-drying materials such as nylon, polyester, and mesh. The design should also encourage quick drainage of water. This ensures that the baby life vest won’t get soggy and weigh the child down. A fast-drying life jacket for babies also keeps mold and mildew at bay.  

Related Post: How To Clean Life Jackets

Color

Life jackets infants wear come in bright and vibrant colors. This is not only because infants love bright hues. Most importantly, high visibility hues make sure the baby is easy to spot whether on the boat, in the water, or at the beach. Bright blues, yellows, reds, oranges, and greens are the best colors for life jackets babies will wear.    

Head Protection

Infants’ life jackets should provide support for the head and neck. The best life jacket for infants should have a comfortable collar for the head to rest on. In the water, the head support helps support the baby’s head and encourage face-up flotation. When the baby is lying down or napping, the collar acts as a pillow.   

Float Test

Even after choosing the best life jacket for an infant, it’s important to test the jacket in a controlled environment. To do this, put the life vest on the baby, adjust it properly, and then place the baby in a pool or bathtub. The life jacket should keep their nose and mouth above water. If the baby happens to float face-down, a reliable kid life jacket should roll them into the face-up position.   

You might also be interested in:

 Life Jackets For Boating  

Life Jackets

Grab handle

The infant life jackets have a grab handle on them. This is a loop at the top and it offers you an instant point of contact if you ever need to maneuver the life jacket into any position. In the water, it gives you a convenient place to hold while floating baby or when retrieving them out of the water.

FAQs

Why_Does_My_Child_Need_a_Life_Jacket

Q: Why Does My Child Need A Life Jacket?

A: 

Your child needs a life jacket for two reasons: to stay safe in the water and to comply with the law. Anything can happen on the water and a life jacket is a vital safety measure. On a boat, the law requires anyone under the age of 13 to be wearing a life jacket while the boat is underway.

Q: How Does A Life Jacket Protect My Child?

A: 

First and foremost, a life jacket provides buoyancy to ensure your child stays afloat if they fall in the water. Above this, a Type II infant life vest can also flip a child into the face-up position ensuring their mouth and nose are clear of the water. Lastly, infant life vests are brightly colored to ensure your child will be easy to spot.

Related Post: Life Jacket Buoyancy

Q: What Types Of Life Jackets Are Available?

A: 

There are five types of life jackets available: Type I, Type II, Type III, Type IV, and Type V. The best life jackets for babies are Type II. This type of life vest for babies provides great head support and buoyancy in the water and encourages face-up flotation.

Q: What Is The Crotch Strap Used For?

A: 

The crotch strap prevents the vest from riding up and slipping off a child’s head. This strap goes between the legs and fastens with a buckle to ensure the life vest baby is wearing stays in place in all situations. 

Q: Can Babies Wear Life Jackets?

A: 

Absolutely yes. Babies can and should wear well-fitted life jackets when on, in, or around water. However, wearing the best infant life jacket isn’t a substitute for your undivided attention. You should still keep a watchful eye on the baby at all times.

Q: Can A 1 Year Old Wear A Life Jacket?

A: 

Yes, even a 1 year old infant can wear a life jacket. Life jackets for infants are made for babies weighing between 0 and 30 pounds, which is well within a one-year-old’s weight range. Just be sure to cinch the vest properly to ensure it fits securely.

Globo Surf Overview

While nothing can replace your undivided attention when your child is in or near water, a well-fitted baby life jacket is essential for safety. All the toddler floaties and kids life jackets we’ve reviewed here provide reliable support and flotation in the water. With the best infant life jacket, your baby will be able to enjoy a safe and fun-filled day on the water.      

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