Full body sunsuits on holidays - really necessary?

[movingalot]

We went on holiday when DD was 4 and 7 months old, but found her full body UV sunsuit a complete faff, what with the need for swim nappies underneath, sand getting in her bum etc; especially at 7 months, her tolerance for it was minimal and she ended up in her little vest lots of the time.

She's now 15 months and we're off on holiday in a few weeks time - it will be hot .

JoJo Maman are doing cute swimsuits (with no sleeves, like grown-up swimsuits) with an inbuilt swim nappy, which just seems to me like the most practical thing ever. Obviously we would keep her in the shade, indoors at lunchtime, and slathered with Factor 50. But will I be considered negligent for not having her head to toe in UV-proof fluorescent pink nylon (she has v fair Celtic skin and blonde hair)?

[SweepTheHalls]

The inbuilt nappies don't contain anything really! The hassle of full body slithering in sun cream for me is a pain, whereas the uv suits significantly reduce the amount of skin to protect.

[exexpat]

I wish they had had those suits when I was little. I am Celtic-coloured (reddish blonde hair, burn in five minutes flat) and I had multiple episodes of bad sunburn when I was a child. I haven't developed skin cancer yet, but my risk is definitely raised.

A UV suit is much easier and more effective than trying to cover every exposed inch of a wriggling child in a good layer of sunscreen, which will then be washed/rubbed off.

[Tigresswoods]

We never used one. DS is fair. We're just sensible in the sun.

[BrianTheMole]

Up to you. I found it more of a faff to use loads of suncream. But either is ok.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Imagine a poo in that handy inbuilt nappy < that's vom not envy!

Putting suncream on a toddler - properly putting enough on, then the sand sticking to it, then rubbing more in on top of the sand....... .....not fun for anyone.

UV suits with a decent hat save a lot of that. We prefer the 2 piece suits though.

[Incacola]

I hate the sticky feeling of being covered in sun cream from head to toe, so choose a uv suit for dd so we don't have to do it to her.

[CMOTDibbler]

I am fair skinned, and despite being 40-something, and having been applying suncream to myself for 35 years I still find a UV top a much more reliable solution when I'm in the sun for any length of time than relying on making sure all of me has sufficient suncream, that I reapply it enough, reapplying when I've wiped sand off etc etc.

Hence, even at 7, ds still has uv shirts/rash vests

[movingalot]

Hmm, thanks for all the replies - summer is on everyone's mind obviously! Think that was a unanimous outcome - off to Boden for some UV proof suits so thanks

[SweepTheHalls]

You don't need to spend Boden money though, even Next have them in already

[BikeRunSki]

Get a 2 piece uv suit

[Chocotrekkie]

The supermarkets have them in - sainsburys had a cute one for about a tenner yesterday.

[Artandco]

I never did/do. When in nappies I used the splash ' happy nappy' perfect as enclosed around top of leg so no poo leek potential.

Remember all swim nappies only hold in poo not wee any due to absorbency so it's easier to whip a normal nappy off by sinners and swim nappy on rather than changing everything. So just wore that in pool. Thy come in diff couloirs and neoprene material

Then I just add a linen or cotton loose tunic with long sleeves and a wide brimmed floppy hat. We always try to stay inside 12-3/4 ish whilst they ate and napped anyway ( and we did).

Most suncreams actually say to use minimal on a child under 2 due to chemicals. We use Jason's factor 50 when it's on but try and not need to put everywhere. Ie won't put it on first thing if they have tunic/ hat/ and in shade. Will add some before going in pool, and have a spare hat so they wear a wide brim floppy hat in pool which protects face

[Indith]

I get all mine cheap from sainsbury. Best things ever. I tend to buy 2 piece ones for flexibility. Love not having to think about suncream too much. Mine wear them for mucking around in the paddling pool etc at home too.

[JoandMax]

2 piece UV suits for definite - much easier than the suncream sticky sand pain in the behind! Mine have had supermarket ones and they're just as good and well lasting as more expensive brands or sport shop ones

[Artandco]

Oh and doing above mine have never burnt and neither have we including 3 months living in the Middle East during summer

Most locals do the same. You should follow local ways of siesta in day during heat and eating/ outside later when it's cooler

[ReallyTired]

Artandco
most mumnetters have skin types more suited to Britain than hot countries. We need far more protection than the locals because we are not used to intense sun. Babies and small children are particular suspetible. Sometimes the affects are not obvious, for example severe sunburn at the age of two can lead to skin cancer in later life.

I favour 2 piece UV suits from a supermaket with a good hat. If a child is still in nappies then I would use a swim nappy. (Typically disposible swim nappy if on holiday) There is no need to spend a fortune as most the high street shops do sun suits in colours other than vomit pink.

[ihearttc]

We went to Dubai last may when it was around 43 degrees and the amount of young children just wearing swim nappies/swimsuits around the pool was unbelievable.

DS2 was 2.5 and he had full sun suit on and a UV hat as well and DS1 who was 8.5 had a 2 piece sunsuit on.

They didn't burn at all whereas even though I was smothered in suncream and we were hardly outside in the heat of the day I managed to really burn my back.

DH even went a got himself a Rash Vest (adult version of sun suit!) in a Mall while we were there as his back was getting burnt in the pool.

[Artandco]

Mine also have fair skin as do I. I don't mean follow locals with no cream, I meant locals with when they are outside. If you go to Spain/ Italy/ Dubai etc you will notice only tourists go outside between 11am and 4pm.

In Dubai yes it's 40+ degrees. But if they are in swimming pool longest time in eve from 7-9pm they aren't going to burn. During the day they stay in shade and go in pool for 5/10 mins max ( usually in shade also). Like I said then eat and 'siesta' during hottest hours. Then enjoy pool/ parks/ sights/ restaurants etc outside from 6pm onwards.

In Spain 6pm-12pm are the main social and playing hours, where as in the uk it's more like 9-3pm

[Nocomet]

Mine were older first time we went anywhere hot and I found 2 piece suits massively easier.

[Sunnydaysablazeinhope]

Sun cream here both dds hate the suits. I am v relieved.