We couldn’t have said it better. Read why here. Ditch those floaties.
Use a life jacket. Not only are floaties dangerous and create a false sense of security for parents and 
children- they RUIN their body positions for swimming and floating.
Muscle memory is taught by repetition of whatever you allow. Floaties put the child in a vertical or head up position. Pretty hard to learn to swim correctly or float correctly that way!! Pediatricians now recommend that all children ages 12m and older are in year round swimming lessons until they become proficient swimmers.