My wife would like to get the granddaughters PFDs for their first birthdays. (Yes, the parents have said they are looking.) Other than the obvious comments re: this is something that really ought to be tried on, etc... Does anyone with babies have any recommendations/experiences good or bad? I've seen a couple in the marine supplier and sports shop here in town and done a little searching online, but not sure if they are any good. Looking at the 'under 30 lb' types. Thanks!

Here's a photo of the one we had. (We gave it away to a bwca.com member) I know I purchased it at a Midwest Mountaineering expo. You probably know this already & I doubt they sell them without these, but, two big things to look for are the head padding (which will keep the child face up at all times in the event they enter the water, but also serves as a convenient pillow when setting them in the canoe.) And the crotch strap to prevent the PFD from riding up over the head or off completely.

After looking closely at the photo, it appears ours was a Harmony PFD.

We have two neoprene ones like this we used for our boys plus one with more of a nylon finish for our daughter. Both worked but the Obrien neoprene model seems to be slightly snugger which is good for a baby plus it is softer but more $$. Of course if the baby weighs 4 pounds not sure anything would work good.

We bought ones by Mustang for our great-nephews. They seem very well made and have only heard good things from their parents. We bought them without the kids being there. They are growing so fast anyway that fit will be changing.

Perhaps it's not surprising, but after some research the one in the lead right now is the Stohlquist Nemo. Found it a bit cheaper on other sites, but awfully handy to have an REI near the kids' places for an easier possible return.

We had two of the Nemo life jackets and would recommend them. They fit well and are durable. I bought ours from Austin Kayak - if you sign up for their mailing list they send a 15% off coupon pretty regularly and have free shipping.

If you can go to Costco that would be the best, we got a really nice Hyperlight neoprene one for infants up to 30lbs, $20, goes for 2-3x that elsewhere, this was last spring, just bought the next size up there the other week.

Thanks, outdoors4me... We've purchased from Austin before and their 15% off 1 item offer would bring it down to $44 each for two. Probably worth dealing with a possible return.