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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why kids wear sunsuits in the swimming pool?

114 replies

sequin2000 · 16/07/2017 21:31

I know it's really none of my business but I don't get it. Do people think that sunsuits act as wetsuits? I'm fairly certain that it will be colder in a clammy uv sun suit than in a regular costume so wonder why at the pool last week about 1/3 of under 5's were wearing them? Albu to ask if your child wears a sunsuit to the local pool and if so why?

OP posts:
PurpleCrazyHorse · 16/07/2017 22:21

Because DS grows so quickly we only bought one and chose to buy a sunsuit because he might well wear it outside in the paddling pool. We did buy separates so he could just wear the trunks in an indoor pool, but often I put both bits on out of habit.

Yukbuck · 16/07/2017 22:22

Because until this thread I had no idea other people cared what children wore in the pool..so long as they aren't naked what's the issue? It's swimming material and if it's good enough for outdoors then why not use it indoors? And for what it's worth, I find that children are warmer in the pool with them on than without. And I have taken care of many children!

PassiveAgressiveQueen · 16/07/2017 22:22

sequin2000 and the previous page of people saying "because they only have 1 costume" didn't explain it to you?

colacolaaddict · 16/07/2017 22:23

The two piece ones are v popular at my DCs' indoor swimming lessons, age range roughly 5-10 years. I've assumed it's a cultural thing with covering up. Seems a bit rude to ask and none of my concern.

bigredboat · 16/07/2017 22:28

raspberrysuicide I was recently looking for a new 2 piece sunsuit for DD (easier for pulling down the bottoms only for using the toilet), they had long sleeve ones in Tesco, next and tk maxx.

OP, DD only has a sunsuit as I don't see the point of buying more than one swimming outfit, this way she's got something for the beach/splash pool/holiday that works perfectly well in an indoor pool too.

Blondielongie · 16/07/2017 22:29

Because (as a previous poster said) in a rash vest/suit they are not so slippery.
I also wear a rash vest in indoor pools. (Because I want to cover up my flab) They are not cold or clammy, same material as stretchy swimwear.

user1471443504 · 16/07/2017 22:34

Because he's Spider-Man and just the trunks don't cut it...

RightOnTheEdge · 16/07/2017 22:35

My ds age 4 wears trunks and a vest because he feels uncomfortable with no top on. We've asked him if he'd like to leave it off like other boys but he won't. He's happy in his vest and he likes the pictures on them.
He's not the only one a few other little boys wear them too.

TheRadiantAerynSun · 16/07/2017 22:39

DS wears a swim top in the indoor pool because he doesn't like the feel of the water on his tummy.

It doesn't do anyone any harm, so we let him crack on as he likes.

Inertia · 16/07/2017 22:39

Took DD swimming at the leisure centre wearing a UV swimsuit (fairly close fitting, knee/ elbow length, swimsuit fabric one) when she was about 3- only swimsuit she had that fitted her at the time.

Pool attendant told me off, because children were 'not allowed to swim in their pyjamas'. When I explained that it was a UV swimsuit, and the only swimsuit she had, the attendant just couldn't grasp that that would even be possible as it wasn't sunny indoors.

HeadDreamer · 16/07/2017 22:42

I actually wondered the same as OP. Now it all makes sense with only one swimming costume. DC only has swim suits and don't have sun suits. Feel like waste of money to me when the swim suits are cheaper.

PinguForPresident · 16/07/2017 22:47

My autistic 5y/o son finds water "too wet". The material stops him freaking out.

hazeyjane · 16/07/2017 22:47

Ds wears his in the fucking bath, let alone the swimming pool. It goes from neck to ankle too.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 16/07/2017 22:48

Grin he is very find of his crocodile suit!

EnglishGirlApproximately · 16/07/2017 22:48

fond

SoupDragon · 16/07/2017 22:52

I liked them because they made the child less slippery.

OrigamiOverload · 16/07/2017 22:52

Less slippery when wrestling with a stubborn little beast who thinks they can swim gently guiding a young child in the pool.

Gentlysnoring · 16/07/2017 22:53

Omg I had no idea I was being judged when I was taking my dd swimming in her sun suit. Awkward! She had the sun suit but no swimming costume so it didn't occur to me to go and buy and extra item so I could leave the sun suit in her drawer at home.

angelikacpickles · 16/07/2017 22:54

Because we don't go swimming often but always have sun suits around from holidays.

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 16/07/2017 22:54

We don't swim very often. 2 birds,1 stone etc. Although it's labelled as a swimsuit with uva protection.
Don't worry OP, I'm not stupid. I know that it's not a wetsuit. I'm well capable of dressing my child suitably.
Why are you concerned about this? Is it affecting your life in some way?

Didactylos · 16/07/2017 22:56

because she likes her sunsuit, she thinks shes a mermaid in it

ScarletSienna · 16/07/2017 22:56

So many reasons:
-gets them used to them so it's not a battle when using outdoor pools (including paddling pools)
-easy to get on and off
-it means your Spider Man percentage is much higher than if just in Spider Man shorts
-they're fun (a bit like dressing up clothes)
-it makes them less slippery
-stops them scrapping their bodies on the edge of the pool/stops skin irritation on the noodles and floats
-they work for indoors and outdoors so no need to buy two sets
-they hold nappies in place really well!
-they stop arm bands/float vests from rubbing

DiamondShine · 16/07/2017 22:57

My 15 month old daughter only wears the uv protection ones on the beach and will do at the pool when abroad. I only use normal swim suits on her for her swimming lessons

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 16/07/2017 22:57

Because it has a big shark on his tummy!

(It comes with shorts but they only have little sharks. They are very unsatisfactory.)

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