Customer Reviews

Stearns Infant Girls Hydroprene Life Jacket

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

We have tried 3 other infant life vests for our now 16 month old boy with little success. We began trying vests last summer when he was just 3 months old and the problems experienced with these vests then are the same as now.

The others we tried were -
1. FUEL - Infant life vest. (0-50 lbs) {I'm not sure who makes it, but we got it at Dick's Sporting Goods store for under $25. This one required a giraffe's neck length with the diameter of about a golf ball. VERY uncomfortable.}
2. Cabela's store-brand infant life vest. (0-30 lbs)
3. Costco's neon green neoprene infant vest {Again, not sure who makes it, but this one actually worked pretty well, but still wouldn't allow him to be comfortable in a seated position as he is most of the time when on the boat.} (0-30 lbs)

Our problems with the first two others were:
* Too bulky at the chin/neck - not allowing natural head movement
* Too long in the body - not allowing baby to be in a seated position
* Not enough size adjustability - we weren't able to get a snug enough fit around the torso to really be comfortable letting him swim with it.

Additionally we noticed the following problem with all 3 vests:
* Too stiff in the body - not allowing natural movement at the waist for bending or reaching.

We have only used this vest once so far and only at the community pool, so I will have to return and update after we've taken it on the boat and in the lake. That said - so far, so good.
He fussed at first putting it on - as he does with everything. Within 2 minutes of distractions he was not put-out with it at all. Because of the way the bottom portion of the body is cut, he is able to bend and sit without difficulty. He has a pretty small/average build (21 lbs.) so as he grows it's only going to get better.

At first glance I was skeptical - the body of the vest is actually VERY thick and appeared as if it would suffocate him. Upon trying it on though, we discovered that the neck opening is very big and the body of the vest does not come into contact with his chin at all. We got it to fit this way by tightening the leg straps so that the head-flap is pushed up against (snugly, but not uncomfortably) the back of his neck. He is able to move his head freely in all directions without complaint.

Overall, we are very satisfied with this purchase! Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

After trying other life vests/jackets on my baby, this one is a winner. It actually fits! I have a 4 month old small baby 13 lbs 24" and other life vests just swallowed her. While I have not tried this in the water, I feel it will suit her just fine. I don't know that it will last longer than this summer, but for the price that's fine. She seems to be comfortable in it... didn't fuss.

it didn't choke them. The neck whole doesn't adjust at all. I have an 8 month old that we couldn't even get this on her and she is by no means a chunky baby. It's hard to get them in and with the neck whole so tight I couldn't imagine keeping her in it for long periods of time. Really wish I hadn't bought this so far ahead of summer because I would have sent it back in a hurry.

My 10 month old daughter hates this thing. Don't get me wrong.. It works just like it's supposed to but is the most uncomfortable thing for her to wear. When sitting in our boat, it pushes under her chin and she can't bring her arms together in front because of the size of the chest piece. I just wish they would come out with something more comfortable for infants so they don't scream & cry till you have to just give up on your "water" day.

i have 20 lb girl and 23 lb boy twins. i have ordered other stearns infant antimicrobial life vest and also hydroprene vest. i like them both. Hydroprene vest fits our girl much better than the other one. because it's slimmer. My boy has shorter neck so hydroprene vest touches his chin so he seems be uncomfortable and cries to be taken out. Our girl doesn't mind the hydroprene vest. We took them to the pool and worked out great. Of course they prefer to play in the water without the vest but they don't seem to mind too much. If your infant has slimmer and long enough neck i think this vest would be better thanthe other because it looks more stylish.

Used this for my 3 month old and it fit fine. A little tricky to put on and a little snug arount the neck, but baby seemed fine once it was on - falls alseep every time.

I bought this PFD for my 13-month-old daughter, who weighs 20lbs. and it is so thick and uncomfortable that she isnt't able sit down in it. The neck hole is so small, I am not able to fasten it around her head. There is No Way this jacket would fit a 30-pound baby. This jacket LOOKS neat, but I think I'll stick to the traditional jackets from now on.