A Guide to Baby Swimwear

Your baby’s skin is highly sensitive to the sun’s rays, and using sunscreen alone is often not enough protection. UV-protective swimwear is a must-have for babies when on the beach or by the pool. Look out for the UPF40+ and UPF50+ tags on our swimwear, which offer optimum levels of protection for your little one — UPF50+ fabric blocks 98% of harmful rays and many designs with this feature also offer added protection in the form of longer sleeves and legs, and higher necklines.

Babies feel the cold very easily, so make sure to also prioritise warmth when buying your baby's swimwear. It is important to note that babies cannot stay in water for long periods of time due to their inability to regulate their body temperature. They will become cold much more quickly than older babies and toddlers, so high-quality, broad-coverage swimwear is essential for babies aged six months and over. And our hooded towels are a great way to keep them toasty warm when out of the water. 

Swimwear made with tighter weaves allows for greater sun protection for your baby. The tighter the woven material, the fewer harmful rays can get through. To test, hold your baby's swimwear up towards the sky to see how much light seeps through. This will give you an idea of how tight the weaves are — the less light, the better the coverage.

If your baby is fond of bobbing around in the water, then a float suit or vest will help to build their confidence and offer you added peace of mind. Many of our swim aids are also combined with UPF50+ fabrics, so they'll also be covered from the sun. Remember, babies and children should be supervised at all times in and around the water, even if they are wearing a float suit or armbands. It's also important to coincide aided swim with baby swimming lessons so that your child knows the difference between being in the water with and without a flotation device.

If your baby's swimwear is too small, it will not only be uncomfortable to wear but can also allow UV rays to penetrate the fabric due to the material being stretched. Tight simwear can also ride up and expose more of their delicate skin to the sun. Choosing separates instead of a one-piece can allow you to mix and match the size of the tops and bottoms for a better fit. 

A baby's skin can often become irritated by chlorine, commonly found in swimming pools. Choosing baby swimwear that covers as much skin as possible — for example, baby sun suits and long-sleeved swim tops — will offer a protective barrier between your little one's delicate skin and the water.

Covering as much skin as possible is advised to keep their skin protected. If you are buying separates, match a pair of shorts with a long sleeve top to cover up as much as you can.