Reviewed: Splash About Happy Nappy and Baby Wrap

In just over a week, Minnie and I will be starting Level 2 of her baby swimming classes (I even have a certificate of completion for Level 1…)

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Over the past few weeks, she’s graduated to excitable splashing in the bath every night and attempting to use her baby stomach muscles to sit up – a long way from her first lessons when she couldn’t even hold her own head up – so I’m looking forward to heading back into the water with her.

She’s even taken a dip into a pool in Lanzarote, so we’ve been getting good use from her swimming kit from Splash About, who sent me a couple of products to test out.

The award-winning Splash About Happy Nappy, like a pair of thin neoprene shorts, has been an unbeatable essential since the first lesson as most companies insist on them (over the top of a swim nappy for double protection).

Even if they didn’t, the reassurance that you’re not going to be the red-faced parent who’s to blame for the leak in the pool means they top the cutest mini swimming cossies – although there is a costume version if you’re determined to kit your little girl out.

The Happy Nappy comes in a string of colours and patterns, whether you’re looking for pink frills, a Union Jack design, spots, stripes, stars or fish, and sizes – I’ve had a couple of turquoise aqua shades so far although I’ve got my eye on the dark blue and white polka dot versions for next time.

The smallest size is suitable from 0-4 months or around 3-6kg, although I found Minnie grew out of it slightly before she hit 6kg and is now into Medium, which should last until around eight months or up to 11kg.

The material’s stretchy, useful when you’re trying to manhandle a cold, tired, wet baby out, with snug-fitting bands round the top and legs keep it secure. With a nappy to line it, it’s child’s play to clean, just soaking in cold water to get rid of the chlorine.

And while the swimming pool we use for lessons is lovely and warm, the Baby Wrap was hugely useful for our trip to Lanzarote where the baby pool didn’t seem to be heated at all.

Described as a mini wetsuit, it’s like a wetsuit jacket or vest – two armholes, a section to secure around the bottom, and Velcro to hold it closed at the front, with enough room to adjust for growth from newborn up to 30 months.

Again, easy-peasy to put on – and, thankfully, to take off after Minnie started yelling her displeasure in the unexpectedly cold pool, so I could swiftly snuggle her in a towel and scuttle her back to the villa.

Without the Baby Wrap, I doubt I’d have persuaded her in at all. In fact, it promises to increase time in the water by up to 100% which I can easily believe.

It had the added bonus of giving SPF50+ protection against the sun (even when the rest of her was slathered in suntan lotion, it ensured a large proportion was completely covered) and if you’re going from warm pools to cool changing rooms, it would keep the chill off.

The range of colours and patterns isn’t quite as extensive but with over a dozen to pick from, you’re hardly short of choice.

There are also other swim, post-swim and sun protection products aimed at babies, toddlers, eczema sufferers and older children up to around six years, while you can also find the Splash About Happy Nappy on Amazon as well as the Splash About Baby Wrap.

Check out my review of the Huggies Little Swimmers hygiene mat for getting babies changed after swimming lessons. And for more tips on getting your baby and kids used to swimming, click here – or for a more luxurious alternative to most baby swimming pools, there’s always Greece!

 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Image courtesy of Depositphotos