Sun & Swim | A Guide to Baby Swimwear

A 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. Look out for the UPF50+ tag on our swimwear, which offers the highest level of protection for your little one. This smart fabric blocks 98% of harmful rays and can provide the added protection that your baby needs in the form of longer sleeves and legs and higher necklines. 

Swimwear made with tighter weaves allows for greater protection for your baby. The tighter the woven material, the fewer harmful rays can get through. 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.

Babies can 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, full coverage swimwear is essential for babies 6 months and over. And our hooded towels are a great way to keep them toasty warm when out of the water. 

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 but can also allow extra UV rays to penetrate the fabric due to the material being stretched. Tight simwear can also ride up and expose more skin to the sun. Choosing separates instead of a one-piece allows 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.