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When going abroad with the prospect of sun, sea and sand one of the first things in the case is swimwear. Hugh could spend hours on the beach so we needed something for Matilda, even at 8 weeks old. Knowing that swimwear for a baby is a little more complicated than a pair of trunks and rash vest, we packed 2 Splash About options, a UV all-in-one and a Happy Nappy wetsuit, wrap and liners.

We used the UV all-in-one on the beach when we knew swimming was unlikely but we would be playing with sand and paddling. A summer baby means you spend your time trying to find shade, applying and reapplying sun cream and every night hoping you don’t discover that they have got their first baby suntan. The suit provides UPF 50+ protection which provided reassurance. We could then focus on reapplying sun cream to Matilda’s legs and arms and battling to keep her sun hat on!

The UV suit is made or lightweight material which in temperatures close to 30 degrees meant Matilda stayed cool. The material was quick drying so could be rinsed and used again later in the day or when we did paddle she dried off quickly. To get it on there is a zip on the back and then poppers between the legs which helped with nappy changing on the beach. Saying that, we found the poppers fiddly and it seemed like there were a lot which made it take even longer.

When we went to a tidal pool in Cape Point national park we packed the Happy Nappy wetsuit. We needed something that would contain the inevitable poo but also keep Matilda warm. It is 2 in 1, the bottom half a standard Happy Nappy for peace of mind that there will be no leaks, with a 1mm neoprene long sleeve top attached to keep them warm. Some great improvements have been made since our son’s version 4 years ago.

The wetsuit, like the all-in-one, provides the reassurance of UPF 50+ protection. It is thicker so a little warm if wearing it on the beach for a day but perfect for a chilly pool or in our case the sea. There is a knack to getting it on, putting your own wetsuit on is hard, but on a baby it is a whole new level. The trick is to fold down the top of the wetsuit and put the Happy Nappy on first. Then fold up the top half and finally zip up the back of the suit… just like that!

To ensure it is sealed, the suit needs to be tight round the legs and the waist; the material is soft and ensures that it is comfortable for babies to wear. Rather than wearing a disposable swim nappy underneath to provide the double layer protection most people want, we used a nappy wrap and liner. It meant that we did not have to pack a whole extra pack of nappies and it was easy to use as the liners are flushable and the wrap can be washed and reused.

I would say the Splash About sizing is fairly small, by 10 weeks old both suits were a little tight. Matilda isn’t huge, especially with 2 shorter than average parents so I would suggest referring to the sizing guide on the website when ordering. Splash About products are also not the cheapest but the quality and designs are great.  Since being home we have started swimming lessons with Matilda, we have used the wetsuit, wrap and liners on a weekly basis making it a great investment.  We have now purchased a Happy Nappy swimsuit for Matilda, choosing it was hard, only because there were too many pretty options!

NB: Emily and Matilda received the Splash About products in order to review but all views and opinions are her own.

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