GBP

There are lots of options for baby swimwear, so it can be hard to know which outfit to choose for your kids. This guide goes back to basics, to help you decide what swimwear option is best for your baby or toddler.

In this guide we will:

show what options are available by different age groups

guide you through the most important things to look for in swimwear, by different ages

take a look at swim nappies and give advice on which ones are best for your child

explain the options available for children’s outdoor swimwear

We cover baby boy swimwear styles here

We cover baby girl swimwear styles here

(We cover unisex styles in both of the guides above as well!)

If you’re not sure what size of swimwear is best for your baby, use our baby and toddler swimwear size guide as a reference.

Click on the links below to find advice and suggestions for the best baby boy and girl swimwear for your baby’s age group:

All children from 0-18 months need a reusable or disposable swim nappy

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.

There are two types of swim nappies available:

Disposable swim nappies Worn once and thrown away Look like regular nappies but don’t swell up in water Are not very effective at preventing faeces from entering the pool



Reusable swim nappies Can be washed and worn multiple times Look like a pair of swimming shorts or are integrated into swimwear such as Happy Nappy costumes or board shorts The Happy Nappy provides excellent protection from faecal leakage and is mandatory in 99% of swim schools.



Reusable swim nappies have many advantages over disposable swim nappies. You can read more about the benefits of reusable swim nappies here.

The Happy Nappy from Splash About is a reusable swim nappy with thick, soft cuffs that create a seal around your baby’s thighs and tummy to prevent any faeces from escaping. The unique design features a gusset to allow for a full range of movement, without the risk of leaks. The Happy Nappy is the only nappy insisted upon by swim teachers as it has a unique shape that’s specifically designed to hold faeces.

You can view the Happy Nappy range here.

Best baby swimwear for babies aged 0–3 months

The most important factors to consider for taking babies aged 0–3 months swimming are as follows:

Warmth —tiny babies can feel the cold easily, so you’ll want to prioritise swimwear that helps keep them warm . Check the temperature of your local pool before you go. For a baby aged 0–3 months, the pool should be heated to above 30°C.

—tiny babies can feel the cold easily, so you’ll want to . Check the temperature of your local pool before you go. For a baby aged 0–3 months, the pool should be heated to above 30°C. 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.

Newborn baby swimming top tip: Check the temperature of your local pool before you go. For a baby aged 0–3 months, the pool should be heated to above 30°C.

Babies aged 0–3 months tire very quickly so it’s unlikely you’ll be spending more than 10–15 minutes in the pool. Even though they won’t be in the pool for long, it’s important they wear the right swimwear so they’re as comfortable as possible.

What swimwear do you need for a baby aged 0–3 months?

Babies aged 0–3 months will need the following before they go swimming:

A swim nappy + Thermal all-in-one swimwear for babies who feel the cold (or for use in cooler pools) and have sensitive skin. or Baby wetsuit for babies who need a little extra warmth for their upper body. or Baby wrap folds flat for easy changing and keep babies’ torsos warm.

Best baby swimwear for warmth—babies aged 0–3 months

Thermal all-in-one swimwear

Keep your baby as warm as possible by dressing them in fleece-lined swimwear that covers their arms and legs. This will provide extra warmth and let them enjoy longer sessions in the pool.

Newborn babies often have sensitive skin, so all-in-one swimwear will help protect their delicate skin by ensuring barrier creams that protect against the irritation of chlorine stay in place.

If your baby has cream for a skin condition such as eczema, you can apply this before you put on their all-in-one. This will help ensure the cream doesn’t wash off, giving your baby’s skin an extra layer of protection in the water.

Best buy all-in-one thermal baby swimwear for babies aged 0–3 months

Splash About Warm in One for boys From £23.99 Many more baby boy styles available Splash About Warm in One for girls From £23.99 Many more baby girl styles available

Baby wetsuit

Wetsuits with an integrated swim nappy are another option for swimwear for babies aged 0–3 months. Look for baby wetsuits made from neoprene as this material provides extra warmth. The Splash About Wetsuit is the only baby wetsuit with an integrated Happy Nappy and therefore doesn’t require another nappy to be worn underneath, making it excellent value for parents.

You can read more about the benefits of baby wetsuits here.

Best buy baby wetsuits for babies aged 0–3 months

Splash About Happy Nappy Wetsuit for boys From £23.99 Many more baby boy styles available Splash About Happy Nappy Wetsuit for girls From £23.99 Many more baby girl styles available

Baby wrap

If you’re looking for swimwear that’ll keep your baby warm and is super-easy to get on and off, choose a baby wrap. They’re made from neoprene—the same material used to make wetsuits—to provide extra warmth to the baby’s core.

Baby wraps open flat so you can lay your baby on top of them before wrapping the fabric over their body and securing with the Velcro fastenings.

Best buy baby wraps for babies aged 0–3 months

Splash About Baby Wrap for boys From £21.00 Many more baby boy styles available Splash About Baby Wrap for girls From £21.00 Many more baby girl styles available

Best baby swimwear for babies aged 3–6 months

The most important factors to consider when taking babies aged 3–6 months swimming are as follows:

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 this age love to wriggle and it’s the perfect time to get them used to feeling the water on their arms and legs. . Warmth—younger babies in this age group will benefit from swimwear that keeps them warm so they can enjoy longer periods in the water.

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.

What swimwear do you need for a baby aged 3–6 months?

Babies aged 3–6 months will need the following before they go swimming:

A swim nappy + Warm swimwear that allows freedom of movement—choose styles that allow your baby to have a full range of movement while keeping them warm.

Best baby swimwear for warmth and freedom of movement—babies aged 3–6 months

Baby wrap

Standard swimming costumes are fine to wear at this age, but they still need a swim nappy. However, getting a tiny baby in and out of one can be tough, so choose a costume that you can lie flat and wrap around them, to make changing much easier.

Wrap-around swimsuits, such as the Splash About Baby Wrap are similar in style to a standard swimsuit but with the added benefit of being made from neoprene, a fabric used to make wetsuits. This material helps keep a baby’s core body temperature at the right level.

Best buy swim wraps for babies aged 3–6 months

Splash About Baby Wrap for boys From £21.00 Many more baby boy styles available Splash About Baby Wrap for girls From £21.00 Many more baby girl styles available

Baby wetsuits

These add extra warmth to a baby’s upper body but keeps their legs bare so they can get used to feeling the water on their skin. Choose a wetsuit with an integrated Happy Nappy swim nappy to save money and give you confidence that your baby can enjoy a leak-free swim.

Best buy wetsuits for babies aged 3–6 months

Splash About Happy Nappy Wetsuit for boys From £25.99 Many more baby boy styles available Splash About Happy Nappy Wetsuit for girls From £25.99 Many more baby girl styles available

Best baby swimwear for babies aged 6–9 months and 9–12 months

The most important factors to consider for babies this age are as follows:

Preventing leaks —your baby will be in the pool for longer periods now they’re older, so choose swimwear with an integrated swim nappy to avoid any accidents .

—your baby will be in the pool for longer periods now they’re older, so . Grip —your baby will be more active at this age, so swimwear made from neoprene is the ideal choice . This will help you hold your baby more securely and stop them slipping out of your hands.

—your baby will be more active at this age, so . This will help you hold your baby more securely and stop them slipping out of your hands. Warmth—younger babies will still need extra warmth, especially in cooler pools, so choose baby swimwear which is made from neoprene, or has a thermal lining.

Babies aged 6–9 months and 9–12 months have very similar needs when it comes to swimming.

At this age, your baby might start swimming classes and can stay in the water for longer. Standard swimming costumes are fine, but must be worn with a swim nappy to avoid accidents in the pool.

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.

For more information on disposable and renewable swim nappies, read our guide to swimming nappies here.

What swimwear do you need for babies aged 6–9 months and 9–12 months?

Babies aged 6–9 months and 9–12 months will need the following before they go swimming:

A swim nappy + Swimwear with integrated swim nappy—this means you don’t have to worry about buying or packing a separate swim nappy in your baby’s swim bag. or Neoprene swimwear—this will give your little one extra warmth and let you grip them more securely when in the water.

Best baby swimwear with integrated swim nappies—babies aged 6–9 months and 9–12 months

Swimwear with integrated swim nappy

This swimwear features an integrated swim nappy with thick, soft ribs that create a seal around your baby’s thighs and tummy to prevent any faeces from escaping. The unique design features a gusset to allow for a full range of movement, without the risk of leaks.

Neoprene baby swimwear

Neoprene swimwear has many benefits, including providing insulation to help babies feel warmer in the water.

Find out more about why neoprene is the best material for baby swimwear here.

The Happy Nappy wetsuit range combines an integrated reusable swim nappy with a neoprene wetsuit, making it the perfect choice for warm, leak-free swimming.

Best buy baby swimwear with an integrated nappy

Best baby swimwear for babies aged 12–18 months

The most important factors to consider for taking babies aged 12–18 months swimming are as follows:

Buoyancy —swimwear with integrated floats supports babies in the water and keeps them in a more natural horizontal swimming position.

—swimwear with integrated floats supports babies in the water and keeps them in a more natural horizontal swimming position. UV protection —swimwear with UV protection keeps kids safe when swimming outdoors.

—swimwear with UV protection keeps kids safe when swimming outdoors. 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.

From one year old, babies can start to wear float suits, jackets or vests in the pool. Although armbands are the first choice for many parents, swimwear with built-in buoyancy aids can help babies feel more confident in the pool and encourage them to maintain the natural horizontal position for swimming.

If you’re unsure of the difference between float vests and jackets, you can find out more here or read our guide to float suits here.

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.

What swimwear do you need for a baby aged 12–18 months?

Babies aged 12–18 months will need the following before they go swimming:

A swim nappy + Swimwear with built-in removable floats—these will help your baby stay above the water when they’re in the pool. or Buoyancy jacket or vest—babies can wear a swim vest or float jacket on top of their regular swimwear to help them maintain the correct position in the water when learning to swim. They can wear this instead of swimwear with integrated floats. or UV swimwear—if you plan to take your baby to the beach or an outdoor pool now they’re older, make sure they’re wearing special UV swimwear to protect them from the sun.

Best swimwear for buoyancy—babies aged 12–18 months

Baby swimwear with built-in removable floats

You can remove the floats once your baby becomes more confident in the water.

Best buy baby swimwear with integrated removable floats

Best baby swim vests and float jackets

Swim vests

These have floats which aren’t removable but are more compact, so they’re ideal for fitting in a suitcase for holidays.

Float jackets

These have removable floats, allowing you to adjust the buoyancy as your baby gets used to being in the water.

Combine your baby’s swim vest or float vest with one of Splash About’s cute baby girl swimming costumes or our range of baby boy board shorts.

Best swimwear for buoyancy and UV protection—babies aged 12–18 months

Float suits with UV fabric that covers arms and legs are particularly useful for outdoor pools and swimming at the beach. They’re the ideal option for keeping children covered in the sun, supported in the water and looking stylish.

Find out more about the benefits of UV swimwear here.

Splash About UV Floatsuit for boys From £26.99 Many more baby boy styles available Splash About UV Floatsuit for girls From £27.99 Many more baby girl styles available

Baby swimwear essentials for swimming outdoors

Being properly prepared for a beach holiday can guarantee your children have a fantastic time while staying safe in the sun and water. Below is a guide to the essentials they will need for safe fun in the sun:

UV swimwear

Choose swimwear made from UPF fabric to protect your children’s delicate skin from the sun. Splash About’s UV all-in-one collection features UPF 50+ sun protection. For sun protection with the added benefit of integrated floats, choose our UV floatsuits.

You can view the full collection of UV floatsuits here.

Wetsuits for cooler water

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.

Read our complete baby wetsuit guide here or view the collection here.

Rash tops for extra sun protection

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.

You can view our full range of rash tops here and our full range of board shorts here.

To find out more about the benefits of float suits, read our guide here.

Our Complete Guide to Float Vests and Jackets provides further information on these handy buoyancy aids.