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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Kids sun protection outfits don't actually protect from the sun?!

26 replies

swim1 · 04/04/2024 20:22

This week I've been stocking up for abroad holiday which we are still paying for and have scrimped and saved for, so holiday outfits are only what we really need as we are buying for SDC as well as our own DC.

I've purchased long sleeve / cover up swimwear for the girls from Asda and sainsburys and nowhere on them does it say they offer sun protection.

I thought all cover up swimwear gave sun protection- AIBU to use them?
The last thing I want to do is allow the kids to get burnt, I'd rather go without something else and buy them one each from next where I know sun protection is in the swimwear.

OP posts:
Hoplittlebunnyhophophopandstop · 04/04/2024 20:25

The ones I bought from Sainsbury said sun protection but they were the ones with arms and legs.

Notcms · 04/04/2024 20:31

The Asda Minnie mouse with hat was the only one that says SPF50.
Next have lots more choice..
Polyester 90plus is naturally SPF but I decided not to chance it and went with specific SPF protection suits.

Saschka · 04/04/2024 20:33

M&S ones have an SPF tag! I’m surprised Asda and Sainsbury’s don’t.

Rainallnight · 04/04/2024 20:38

I probably wouldn’t risk it if it didn’t specifically say SPF.

Could you get some from Vinted if you’re on a budget?

whichschool24 · 04/04/2024 20:39

Is there a decathlon near you? Reasonable price and were SPF when I bought last year

mmgirish · 04/04/2024 20:47

I live in Asia in a hot place. Swimming costumes whether they say SPF on them or not have always protected my kids from the sun. They have never burned through a costume.

NoKnit · 04/04/2024 21:01

You need sun cream and to keep them OUT of the sun between 11am -3pm

You can't rely on clothing.

Out of the sun by 11 brief chill out fame of cards etc then a long lunch and back to the pool at 3pm. Always done this and my kids have never burnt. Only time was once when my husband insisted it was fine if they had cream on at midday. It wasn't and I was furious. It has never happened again.

Original poster
swim1 · 04/04/2024 22:15

Thanks everyone- omg does everyone keep their kids out of the sun on holiday 11-3 usually?

I wasn't counting on that, we are only going to Spain, where were you @NoKnit?

I feel awful thinking they'd play all day in the water as there's slides and a splash park area.

You can tell I'm inexperienced where abroad holidays are concerned. 😕

But back to topic, I can't understand kids sun 'cover ups' don't all offer protection.

OP posts:
olivehaters · 04/04/2024 22:19

I have always put my kids in any old swimsuits/ rash vests. And they have never once burnt through them. They are a physical block to the sun. I think it would be very hard to burn through them.
And paying loads of money for spf suits is probably a bit of a con!

Wellhellooooodear · 04/04/2024 22:22

NoKnit · 04/04/2024 21:01

You need sun cream and to keep them OUT of the sun between 11am -3pm

You can't rely on clothing.

Out of the sun by 11 brief chill out fame of cards etc then a long lunch and back to the pool at 3pm. Always done this and my kids have never burnt. Only time was once when my husband insisted it was fine if they had cream on at midday. It wasn't and I was furious. It has never happened again.

Good grief OTT much? My kids are very fair skinned and as long as you are careful they are fine. Neither of them have ever been sunburned.

PrincessTeaSet · 04/04/2024 22:24

All clothes protect from the sun surely. Have you ever got burned through any form of clothing? I haven't. Also I would never put suncream under clothing. Clothing is much more effective than SPF 50 suncream. I really wouldn't worry about an SPF tag - I think it's a marketing gimmick.

Keep out of the sun between 11 and 3 isn't because of the SPF of the swimsuit. It's because of uncovered skin. Reflections from water can burn even if wearing a hat.

If it's hot I would have a little break indoors for an hour or 2 at lunchtime, or at least away from water, for little ones, unless quite dark skinned.

creekpassage · 04/04/2024 22:24

This is lunacy! They will be fine in the ones you've bought. Honestly.

Wellhellooooodear · 04/04/2024 22:24

swim1 · 04/04/2024 22:15

Thanks everyone- omg does everyone keep their kids out of the sun on holiday 11-3 usually?

I wasn't counting on that, we are only going to Spain, where were you @NoKnit?

I feel awful thinking they'd play all day in the water as there's slides and a splash park area.

You can tell I'm inexperienced where abroad holidays are concerned. 😕

But back to topic, I can't understand kids sun 'cover ups' don't all offer protection.

No! That's pretty much the whole day! Factor 50, sun suits, hat, plenty of water and ice lollies they'll be fine.

MultiplaLight · 04/04/2024 22:25

No, I they don't need to inside 11-3. Clothes will be fine. I hope you have a great holiday.

mitogoshi · 04/04/2024 22:31

Best option is to keep them out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. You'll see locals flocking to the beach around 4pm, there's a reason for that!

Otherwise sunscreen and spf swimwear plus have shirts to slip on when sitting on the beach

mitogoshi · 04/04/2024 22:33

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun obviously is alive and well nearly 100 years after it was written based on these comments

Scribblydoo · 04/04/2024 22:34

Clothing doesn't need an SPF, unless it's like a sheer mesh they'll be fine.

Slip, Slop, Slap, Slide, Seek
Slip on a t-shirt, slop on suncream, slap on a hat, slide on sunglasses and seek shade 11am to 3pm.

CuntRYMusicStar · 04/04/2024 22:51

We always have lunch around 1, so out of the water drying off and cooling down by 1230. Then a siesta after lunch with plenty of water.

Back in the pool around 2.30. Dd was an angel who could nap from 6-7 then be in great form for dinner and bed around 10. Ds would have had a fit and been up until 2 inconsolable and over tired.

You'll find out what works for you, most important thing is hats on, regularly reapply cream (even the all day stuff after being in the water) and time inside/in the shade in the hottest part of the day.

ClareWilsonNS · 04/04/2024 22:55

Have you ever been burned through clothing? I haven't, even in very hot countries. SPF tags on clothes are a gimmick.

NoKnit · 04/04/2024 23:23

mitogoshi · 04/04/2024 22:33

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun obviously is alive and well nearly 100 years after it was written based on these comments

They don't need to be inside 11-3 but they need to be out of the sun. Honestly I fail to understand people questioning this. Do not go out in the midday sun. It doesn't matter where you are Spain, UK, Australia. The post about mad dogs ahd English men is true. You see loads of burnt children on holiday and they are pretty much almost all British due to parents ignoring this simple rule. I'm extreme on 11-3 perhaps but honestly anyone letting their kids play in the sun between 11.30-2.30 is totally irresponsible. Has skin cancer passed everyone by?

Katemax82 · 04/04/2024 23:27

Ok...2004 we took dss to Thailand and used high spf but he wore trunks and got burnt to shit. 2010 we took ds who is equally white to Thailand and he wore one of the all in ones and suncream ( he's autistic so hates suncream) and did not get burnt to shit...

Isthisexpected · 04/04/2024 23:40

swim1 · 04/04/2024 22:15

Thanks everyone- omg does everyone keep their kids out of the sun on holiday 11-3 usually?

I wasn't counting on that, we are only going to Spain, where were you @NoKnit?

I feel awful thinking they'd play all day in the water as there's slides and a splash park area.

You can tell I'm inexperienced where abroad holidays are concerned. 😕

But back to topic, I can't understand kids sun 'cover ups' don't all offer protection.

I never let my little ones out in the sun unless we're walking somewhere and there's shade along the way or swimming where there is shaded ends etc. If you look up sun protection NHS you'll find the guidance including eye protection. Obviously when abroad the sun is even stronger than a UK summer, so much greater caution is needed. Certainly don't let them play in the sun for hours regardless of sunsafe suits.

www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/

soupyspoon · 13/08/2025 19:48

Its a gimmick, just dress them appropriately and use sun cream. I also wouldnt keep them inside as such, but just keep them out of direct strong sun, shady areas or proteced by hats

vodkaredbullgirl · 13/08/2025 19:49

Zombie post

Helpwithdivorce · 13/08/2025 19:50

I’ve never been burnt through clothing. One of my kids is a red head so she burns just looking at the sun and I’ve used the long sleeved suits and she’s never burnt through it.
I don’t keep them in 11-3 either. You’re on presumably a weeks holiday. Like hell am I spending most of the day inside! We’re out in the pool morning til evening. Never burnt through clothing. I’ve even put one of them in a regular T-shirt as I was worried about her shoulders burning. Didn’t burn through that either and that had no SPF in it