Do you actually need swim suits for small toddlers?

[Cla7]

Never used the swim suits I bought for last summers holiday when my baby was nearly 1 year old, and I’m debating whether I need a swim suit this summer. My boy hates getting dressed in general and wrestling him into a full body swim suit will be a nightmare. I also feel it would be quite hot until he goes into the water? I’d hate having to put on a full-body tight-fitting swim suit on a hot day. Should I just take him to the beach in shorts and t-shirt (plus swimming diaper) and change his clothes to something dry after going into the sea? I imagine I’d have to change him anyways after swimming to put him in a dry diaper. Is there anything I don’t consider, or indeed any other clothes hacks for small toddlers on the beach?

I’ve never used a full body swim suit for either of mine. Unless you mean a wetsuit when it’s cold, but not in the summer. I do tend to use swimming trunks for my ds because they don’t just absorb a kilo of water and get really heavy. They also dry quickly so they aren’t just sitting in a puddle for lunch. But yes, just a normal thin t shirt on top (or rash vest, some of them are UV resistant too).

I tend to put the uv t-shirts over my dd’s swimming costumes just before they go in the water after taking off the normal t-shirt. I find it easier than top to toe suncream. Like previous posters said shirts and t-shirt will get heavy.

Its more for the sun protection for me. Neither of mine are allowed in the pool without rash vests on.

Unless you're only spending 10-15 minutes in the pool/sea at a time and covering up in between i'd look at getting a rash vest at the very least.

use a rash vest if there's no shade, really saves the constant SPF reapplication. and you can take it on and off easily for comfort.

I'm not militant about it at all, I just use swim shorts most of the time unless we are at the seaside where there's really no shade.

I have had them in a swim nappy only, but only when they were 18mo or under.

Normal clothes will become heavy once wet. Get a bigger size swimsuit that covers arms and legs, it's so much easier than putting SPF. We went two sizes up and they went on easily. Mine just stayed in swim nappy and swimsuit whilst at the pool / beach, only changed when she went for her nap and then for dinner.

I would get swim shorts and a UV rash vest.. they don’t have to be really tight so hypothetically won’t be any more uncomfortable than normal shorts and t-shirt.

It's easier than applying suncream for me :)

It's easier than applying suncream for me :)

If outside in the sun my kids are always in a UV swim suit. And I find it utterly bonkers at splash parks when there's topless kids running round. Size up so heure easy to get ton and comfortable.

Indoor pools I tend to put them in the same because if they're on slides it stops their skin sticking.

Also a second line of defence if little one poos as swim nappies aren't great.

We also put water shoes on if they're going to be running around near water so they don't slip. And it protects the tops of their feet from sunburn.

Travelling from room to beach/pool put a swim nappy on, their swimwear then a dry nappy. Then you don't have to undress them just take the dry nappy off but the dry nappy catches any wees, whereas swim nappies don't.

Swim shorts for sure. All in one suits are a pain to get on and off when wet.

We like the little jacket things which have floats built in - obviously you still must hold them at all times but it's a little extra help.

Don't put a swim nappy on before you actually go in the water, as they don't hold wee.

Check your pool’s requirements. Many want 2 layers on the bottom half of a non-potty trained child eg: swim nappy + swimsuit/trunks/uv suit.

@OtterMummy2024 we always felt the same! Much easier to put on a UV suit that just zips up over a swim nappy, or a UV top and swim shorts, than to apply and endlessly reapply sunscreen to a wriggly toddler who just wants to get back to the hole they're digging.

We often got Boden or Snapper Rock UV50+ swim stuff as they have matching cute prints for parents and kids. (And have regular sales!)

Cotton shorts and t shirts will be much more uncomfortable when wet.
The point of a suit is mainly sun protection, which yes is needed for a young child in and out of the water.
It will also keep a swim nappy on more securely which is nicer for everyone.

I do it more for sun protection and I get really cute ones she looks sweet in. Nothing wrong with just swim nappy though if you prefer. Some pools want the double layer though as others have said .

Rash vest and swim shorts sound like a good idea, I’ll try that!
Oh and I totally didn’t consider that swim diapers don’t hold pee (although it makes sense of course, now that I think about it 🤦‍♀️), I’ve only ever used them for a few days during a beach holiday last year and I guess we were lucky.

Yes, get a swim suit that is light weight and big enough to wear as a pair of shorts but you will need to swap to swim nappy before getting in the water anyway. I think int he see, a chid in just a swimming nappy would be fine, myself, although you might want a t-shirt of some sort to protect from sun, depending on where and when you are there.

I only ever used a reusable swim nappy. Cheaper than disposables.

then a long sleeved rash vest and hat for sun protection. Sun cream on face and legs. Much easier.

wrestling into an all in one neoprene suit sounds like a nightmare- who told you that was the only option?!

Assuming you're going on holiday somewhere hot. They help with:

• sun protection first of all. Reapplying it constantly on a toddler is even harder. But then mine is ginger, not a problem if you have darker skin.
• wind, especially in the evening; and
• mosquitoes. We're in Spain now and by the time it's cool enough to take toddler to the pool, some mosquitoes start coming out.

My 2 year old doesn't have a full on swimsuit, he has a long sleeve rash vest and big baggy swim shorts.

I always saw these one piece suits popping up that cover almost the entire body when I looked for baby/toddler swim wear, which of course makes sense for sun protection, but they also seemed a nightmare to me. I didn’t even attempt to push my baby in it last summer 😅