Purchased this for our 2 year old, who weighs 25 lb and wears 24 month-2T clothing. The upper tank top is loose but stays on and is fairly easy to put on. The inflatable donut section seems to have two separate tubes inside, so you inflate each separately (maybe as a fail-safe in case one tube leaks or is punctured). The donut ends up floating up under the child's armpits. Initially, I think we had the crotch strap adjusted too snugly, which will cause the donut to "flip" down or be "front-heavy." Once we loosened it, it allowed the ring to float more freely, and our toddler got the hang of things really quickly and started paddling around independently right away. She loved it. My husband was initially dubious that this would work, but it was great to be in the water right next to her and not have to be holding on to her the whole time. Her squeals of delight made this one of the best purchases made in the last few months!! When it was time to pack everything to return home from vacation, it deflated easily into compact bundle. Would definitely recommend!! As an aside, we initially had tried to use an alternate flotation device that wraps around the chest and connects to water-wings around the arms, but she was just below the weight limit for that (30 lb min), and the chest belt was too loose even on the tightest setting. So glad we found this!!

I have twin 2yo's with no swimming lessons/experience. By the end of our vacation, they were kicking themselves around the pool. It IS possIble for them to lean forward and not be able to correct themselves, so you still need to be nearby, but it has given all three of us some amazing freedom in and around the public baby pools or shallow ends. They can use their bodies freely (unlike those heavy arm and chest floaties), can sit down for a snack with it on, and tie crotch clip keeps it securely in place. And my boys have a lot more confidence and now play "swimming" in the bathtub. The best pool "toy" I've EVER bought.

Was going on vacation and bought this to use in the pool. My 2.5 yr old 35lb son used it daily. It's comfy and easy to inflate and put on. Deflated is very small/light and easy to pack. With seven days of continual use it still looks great even though my son would hoist himself up out of the pool over the grating concrete... The fabric has held up well. Dries fairly quickly, was always dry the next morning. Do not leave your child unattended while using BUT he could float around in it with me several feet away with no issue. It seemed like to would be very difficult for him to flip himself over while using. After the first day we were able to teach him to kick to get to the pool edge and how to turn around to go the other direction all by himself. I had debated bringing it but I'm glad I did. This floaty vest far exceeded my expectations. I would give it more stars if I could.

This SwimSchool Deluxe Tot Trainer is AWESOME!!! My baby is 18 months old and weighs 21lb. and this fits her perfectly. She figured out how to balance the tube almost immediately and was swimming all around the pool her first time in it. She loves being in the pool now and it is definitely teaching her swimming skills and giving her confidence in the water. It also allows me to relax in the pool more because I don't have to hold her the whole time we're in the water. I can swim right along beside her and we have so much fun. She loves being able to swim with her older cousins too!

1st - we received the yellow even though we ordered PINK but it's fine, the product is what matters more than the color.

Our 18 month old is FIERCELY independent and wants to do everything just like her big brother and we wanted to find something that would give her freedom while keeping her safe in the event she fell in. It is IDEAL. She actually did take a tumble yesterday into the water before I could get to her and she kicked her feet and bobbed right back up. She gets so excited when she sees the ring because that means POOL TIME!!

*It will not keep a child upright so you still need eyes on them and someone else close by. We worked with her to learn to kick her feet so when she starts to lean forward or back she can right herself.*