When choosing the right size of suit for your child, don’t go by their age. Instead, measure their chest circumference, body length and weight, to ensure the best fit possible. If your child isn’t keen on wearing a floatsuit, these tips should help them feel more comfortable: Floatsuits work with your child’s natural buoyancy, preventing them from sinking while enabling them to put their head underwater if they want to. Although they help keep the child safe in the water, they are swimming aids and aren’t intended as a safety device. Buoyancy—swimwear with integrated floats supports babies in the water and keeps them in a more natural horizontal swimming position.

Warmth—younger babies in this age group will benefit from swimwear that keeps them warm so they can enjoy longer periods in the water. Look like a pair of swimming shorts or are integrated into swimwear such as Happy Nappy Costumes or Happy Nappy Wetsuit For more information on disposable and reusable swim nappies, read our guide to swimming nappies here.

Inflatability isn’t adjustable, although there are float disc armband systems available where float discs can be gradually removed Swimwear with built-in removable floats—these will help your baby stay above the water when they’re in the pool.

At this age, your baby will be old enough to enjoy swimming outdoors in summer. Make sure you protect them from the sun’s harsh rays with UV swimwear, as well as a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The most important factors to consider for taking babies aged 12–18 months swimming are as follows: The floats go around the child’s torso, leaving their arms unrestricted. This helps them develop a more natural swimming position in the pool, rather than lifting them upright out of the water, which is what armbands do. Freedom of movement—babies this age love to wriggle and it’s the perfect time to get them used to feeling the water on their arms and legs. Look for baby swimwear that allows for a full range of movement.Babies will be able to spend a little more time in the pool at this age, so expect swimming sessions to last around 20–40 minutes. For this reason, it’s a good idea to invest in the right swimwear so they can fully enjoy their time in the water. Skin sensitivity—newborn babies often have sensitive skin, which can be irritated by chlorine. If your baby has a skin condition such as eczema, choose baby swimwear that will help keep their barrier cream in place.

The Happy Nappy provides excellent protection from faecal leaks and is mandatory in 99% of swim schools. Yes. If your child isn’t potty trained, they will need to wear a swim nappy under their floatsuit. Splash About’s reusable Happy Nappy range can be worn under a floatsuit for a confident, leak-free swim. These UPF tops protect children’s shoulders, arms and torsos from the sun. Rash tops are suitable for babies aged six months and above and can be worn with a Happy Nappy or board shorts or over any other type of swimwear.I wouldn’t ever think that I’d need to consider a thermal swimsuit for swimming in normal swimming pools, but this is such a great design that it’s a must-have! I wish it was around for my first daughter, she used to only be able to swim for 20 mins in our local pool before she turned a different colour! And that was with a few layers on, and a Splash About Baby Wrap. Toddlers and older children can enjoy splashing about in cooler water for longer by wearing a wetsuit. Made from neoprene, wetsuits protect skin from the sun and provide added warmth for children while they explore the beach.

When we got it out the second time, Heidi called it her ‘swimming coat’ and put it on herself. The zip is really sturdy, and didn’t come undone at all throughout our swim sessions. It seemed to fit her really well, and she was comfortable wearing it. It didn’t rub anywhere, although she did have her thermaswim toddlersuit on underneath, so it wasn’t on her bare skin. She had full movement of her arms still; and was able to do her scooping hands. She loved jumping in with it on, as her head wouldn’t go under the water. Preventing leaks—some reusable swim nappies, such as the Happy Nappy, provide comfort to babies and give you peace of mind that they can enjoy a leak-free swim. Neoprene swimwear has many benefits, including providing insulation to help babies feel warmer in the water. Designed with insect lovers in mind, this Garden Bugs Swim Vest is bound to thrill little garden explorers. Rinse the floatsuit thoroughly in cool water after use and leave to dry naturally, out of direct sunlight.The floats work with your child’s natural buoyancy, so when using a swim vest for the first time, you may need to remove some floats to achieve the optimum level of balance for your child. Our local pool is quite chilly for me, so when I took the Thermaswim Toddlersuit off Heidi after an hours swim, I was surprised to feel just how warm she was underneath! Foam floats are integrated into the swimming costume, so you can adjust the buoyancy as your child becomes more confident in the water and as their swimming abilities improve. It also means your child can’t easily remove the floats, which is a potential hazard with armbands. Swim nappies are an essential piece of swimwear and any child who isn’t potty-trained will need to wear one in a swimming pool. They are enforced as part of the double-layer nappy system requirement by most organised baby swimming lessons. For peace of mind, choose baby swimwear with an integrated swim nappy, as these are designed to prevent faeces leaking into the pool. Alternatively, use a reusable swim nappy with your child’s usual swimming costume.