Top Products for Summer Safety with Water Babies
Ensuring your little one's safety in the water is our top priority at Water Babies. Water safety skills are at the heart of all that we do and form a key part of every Water Babies swimming lesson.
With the summer holidays fast approaching, we want to share some tips on how to build a summer wardrobe with your little one's safety in mind, including baby swimwear, UV protective clothing for toddlers, swimming accessories and swimming aids to keep practicing water safety skills outside of lessons.
To help keep your little one safe during the summer break, we offer a range of products which have been thoroughly tested to give you peace of mind while your child gains water confidence. Our products are backed by rigorous research and meticulous quality standards so that you and your little one can enjoy the water (and sun!) safely.
Whether you're setting up a kiddie pool in your backyard, planning a family day out at the beach, or a fun trip to the swimming pool, Water Babies has you covered. Ready to dive into our top products for summer safety? Keep reading to ensure a fun and worry-free summer, and learn more about baby and toddler summer essentials!
1. Baby Wetsuits: Keeping your little warm in the water
One of the most important baby summer safety tips is to always be aware of the type of pool that your little one is swimming in, and to check that the temperature of the pool is at least 32° for newborns and babies under 12 weeks or 12 pounds, and 30° for older babies.
Remember that outdoor pools and open water can be extremely cold, even on a hot day. Babies are more susceptible to temperature changes, so thermal layers and wetsuits for infants can play a vital role in their temperature regulation, helping keep babies and toddlers warm in the water for longer.
But children's wetsuits offer multiple benefits apart from temperature regulation and comfort; they contribute to hygiene and safety, protecting sensitive young skin and helping to keep lotions and barrier creams in place, while offering UV protection.
Concerned about potty protection? Fear not! There are also baby wetsuits which include a built-in reusable Happy Nappy, such as the Happy Nappy Wetsuit, saving you the hassle of needing multiple products (and also some money in the long run!).
Baby Wetsuit Tip: Always put the wetsuit on before your little one gets cold. After the swim, promptly remove the wetsuit and dry your baby thoroughly. Pay attention to the folds and creases where water might be trapped. Keeping your baby dry after their swimming session is as important for their comfort as keeping them warm in the water.
2. UV protective clothing and accessories: Shielding your little one against the sun
Protecting your little one from the sun’s harmful rays is essential during those sunny summer days. Apart from baby and toddler wetsuits, which will provide both extra warmth and protection from the sun while your little one is splashing about outside, there are lots of great things you can dress your child out in to keep them protected from the sun. Our range of UV protective clothing and accessories ensures your baby or toddler can enjoy outdoor fun safely and comfortably.
Swimwear Colours Tip: As well as getting your little one dressed in the right clothing this summer, it's important to think about the colour of their swimwear. Adult supervision is crucial to keeping little ones safe in, on and around the water. Similarly to being in a big crowd, brightly coloured swimwear and UV protective clothing will help you to spot your little one.The colour of the swimwear makes a huge difference as to whether they can be seen even on the surface of the water, let alone if they're older children and swimming underwater.
Here’s a brief overview of some infant summer must-have items for your little one's safety and comfort in the sun:
2.1 UV Protection: Happy Nappy Sunsuits
Our UV All-in-One Sunsuit is comfortable to wear and stylish to be seen in, a must-have for summer holidays! Made out of premium quality SPF50+ nylon Lycra, the UV Suits provide a high neck, long legs and long sleeves to keep sensitive skin protected in its most vulnerable areas.
The UV All in One is quick drying, protects from wind and sand as well as the sun and is easy to get on and off due to its soft and stretchy material, even when wet. It can be worn comfortably in and out of the water, the perfect solution for protecting babies from the sun!
2.2 UV Protection: Sun Hats
Protecting your child’s head, neck and face from the sun is just as important as covering their body.
Our Floppy Sun Hat features a wide brim that provides excellent shade for your child’s face, neck, and ears, all while looking super cute! Made from breathable, blended cotton, it ensures comfort and protection during sunny outings. The adjustable chin strap keeps the hat securely in place, even on windy days.
3. A word on swim vests, flotation devices and inflatables: Always keep a watchful eye on your children
At Water Babies, we know that flotation devices and buoyancy aids can make water play more enjoyable and build confidence for babies and toddlers. However, it's important to remember that these aids are not life preservers. Always keep a watchful eye on your little one, as currents and tides can cause floats to drift or tip over. Inflatables are another fun option, but they can easily be blown out to sea. When using inflatables, ensure your child is wearing the appropriate buoyancy aids and is always supervised. Ensure that your little one always wears a life jacket when on a boat.
While lifeguards provide an extra layer of safety, never rely solely on them. Always designate a responsible adult to monitor children in and around the water, keep non-swimmers within arm's reach and, if you're at the beach, always swim between designated flags and be aware of rip currents and tides, especially if you're in a foreign country where signage may differ.
4. Bonus Tip: Start swimming lessons as early as possible
There are few things in life more important than teaching little ones how to swim. Fear of the water is a learnt behaviour, so it is important to get your little ones accustomed to the water at a young age, and show them how to respond to this environment in a safe way.
At Water Babies, we see babies swimming from birth and have had students as young as a day old in our classes, although the average starting age is between 3 to 4 months old. Our immersive Oceans of Imagination program puts children at its heart to give a lifelong love of swimming and a skill for life.
As a crucial part of our swimming program, we teach babies, toddlers, and the early years water safety skills which could one day help save a life. Follow Bubba the Whale and his friends, The Swimvincibles, on a journey to share their swimming skills and love of the water with babies and young children through fun adventures and play.
Hear from our strategic partner Alice Dearing on water safety by clicking on the video below.