How to Buy an Infant Life Jacket

Life jackets can be the difference in life and death when you're out on the water. And that's especially true for an infant. Children panic when they fall into the water, causing them to violently move their arms and legs. If your baby is wearing an infant life jacket, the odds of survival are greatly increased. But you have to make sure you have the right infant life jacket for your baby.

Instructions

    • 1

      Weigh your baby. The United States Coast Guard says infants over 18 pounds are safe to be on a recreational boat with a parent. Babies who weigh less than 18 pounds usually do not fit correctly into an infant life jacket, putting them at great risk.

    • 2

      Look for safety features. An infant life jacket should have an oversized float collar, which helps keep the child's head out of the water. It should also have a crotch strap to help keep the life jacket on. And the infant life jacket should be equipped with a grab loop, so you can easily reach your child if he falls into the water. Remember that rafts and inflatable toys cannot replace an infant life jacket.

    • 3

      Check the fit. With the infant life jacket on, pick up your child by the shoulders of the life jacket. You know you have a correct fit if your baby's chin and ears do not slip through.

    • 4

      Call around. Infant life jackets can be tough to find, especially out of season. Search various websites and call your favorite stores to see if they carry life jackets for babies. You might have the best luck searching for an infant life jacket at your local boating supply store.

    • 5

      Test the life jacket immediately. Children grow quickly, so it's important to know for sure if your infant life jacket is the appropriate size. You can safely test the life jacket in a swimming pool, with you or another responsible adult close by.