FAQ

Why do I need to use a Swim Nappy?

The Happy Nappyis the answer to what has previously been a serious risk with baby swimming. Any passing of solids (or semi-solids) into the water can create the serious risk of an infection called cryptosporidium being passed into the water. So that if an accident occurs and leaks into the swimming pool, it can mean the pool has to be closed and all classes cancelled for that day, with the possible necessity of having to drain the pool and clean the filters.

Precautions:

1. Put your baby in a Happy Nappy which will virtually eliminate the risk of leakage into the pool.
2. If your baby goes to the toilet in the pool, take him/her out of the water immediately.
3. Wash hands after every nappy change.
4. Protect others by not swimming if your baby (or you) are experiencing diarrhoea.

Note:

Cryptosporidium can be spread in a chlorinated pool because it is resistant to chlorine and, therefore, can live for days in chlorine-treated swimming pools. For more information on recreational water-related illnesses, visit the Healthy Swimming website at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming

Why teach your baby to swim?

Many children every year either drown or suffer severe disabilities from water accidents. If a child enjoys water, is used to it and knows what do if they suddenly find themselves in it, they will be far less likely to panic and will be more able to save themselves.

Take your babies and children swimming – teach them to love the water and you will reap the benefits too, it is a bonding experience swimming with your children and so much fun!

Don’t let your babies get cold in the water, they will remember it as an uncomfortable experience - use our mini wetsuits to keep them warm and make them firmer to handle.

When your child reaches the stage when they are pulling themselves up on the furniture they can start using buoyancy products, see our learn to swim products - also excellent for children and adults who have lost their confidence, are afraid of the water, or just never got around to learning before.Why teach your baby to swim?
Many children every year either drown or suffer severe disabilities from water accidents. If a child enjoys water, is used to it and knows what do if they suddenly find themselves in it, they will be far less likely to panic and will be more able to save themselves.
Take your babies and children swimming – teach them to love the water and you will reap the benefits too, it is a bonding experience swimming with your children and so much fun!
Don’t let your babies get cold in the water, they will remember it as an uncomfortable experience - use our mini wetsuits to keep them warm and make them firmer to handle.
When your child reaches the stage when they are pulling themselves up on the furniture they can start using buoyancy products, see our learn to swim products - also excellent for children and adults who have lost their confidence, are afraid of the water, or just never got around to learning before.

Why is Sun Protection important?

Over 75,000 new cases of skin cancer are registered EVERY year in the UK alone!! Sunburn during childhood can double the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult, according to Cancer Research UK. It only takes minutes for sunburn to happen and the damage can be permanent is long-lasting!

• Children’s delicate skin makes them very vulnerable to sunburn. However, skin cancer is preventable and one of the best ways to protect your children is to cover them up.
• Always use UV protective clothing and check it is certified, then you will be sure they keep their UV protection properties in water and out of it.
• Use sun screen if the skin is not covered – there are high level sun screens available but these can block pores, we think the best is about SPF25 and keep them covered up or out of the sun the rest of the time.

All Splash About fabrics are tested by Arpansa and are SPF50+.

Would you recommend buying the Baby Wrap or the BabySnug to keep a baby warm? And should we use a Happy Nappy underneath?

Personally (and I designed them) I would go for the Baby Wrap as it is thicker, opens flat, so easier to put on and more adjustable. However, some people like the smaller lighter fit of the snug and the arms - I don't think the arms are needed on most active babies as they are constantly moving them and keeping them warm. If a baby is frail or small for his age it is an ideal product though. You do need the nappy with the Baby Wrap but not with the BabySnug.

Could you please advise if eczema suits are suitable for swimming and, if so, how do they protect the skin? Would they protect eczema behind the knee, for example, which is very common?

They come to just below the knee. They have proved invaluable to so many children and are used extensively. Eczema affects so many people in so many different places, we need to minimise the problem where we can.
If you apply barrier cream, which is what will help create a barrier between the aggressive chemicals and the skin, the main places where the cream can rub off is the core body. This is also where the child is held. With many fabrics the cream seeps through and the fabric becomes extremely slippery, or is absorbed by the fabric. With our fabric that does not happen. If you put the barrier cream on our eczema suit will help keep it there (even behind the knee) and your child will have a better chance or enjoying the water.

Why does my child tip over when using her floatsuit?

Too much buoyancy can cause your child to become unsteady. Simply remove some of the floats from her suit. She should be at the same level as you are when treading water, quite low so that the water is around the shoulders. When she is at this level, she will be able to control her buoyancy with ease.

Why are there so many floats?

We use 16 floats so that the buoyancy can be adjusted to suit anybody. In the jacket this means you can adjust the jacket without making it too big.

My child fiddles with the zip on his jacket, what can I do?

The jackets are cut especially so that they can be worn with the zip to the front or to the back. So just turn your child¹s jacket around, that will sort it out!

Does the Happy Nappy work without another nappy or a liner inside?

Yes, absolutely! The Happy Nappy is specially designed to work alone. You may, however, still use it with an inner liner or disposable nappy should you wish, to make it easy to remove solids.

Does your swimwear contain Latex?

NO. There is no latex in the fabrics, including the neoprene, we use for our swimwear.

Does your swimwear contain Phthalates?

No. The fabrics we use for our clothing do not contain Phthalates and have been tested on this basis.

I'm hoping you can help me with a small problem. I accidentally left my son's swim nappy inside a plastic wet bag for 3-4 days before remembering to put it out to dry. Unsurprisingly, it now smells terrible, even when dry! I was hoping you might have some suggestions for getting rid of the smell without ruining the nappy! Can I wash it with Soap Flakes?

Whoops! Yes, you could wash it with soap flakes, just use coolish water and rinse really, really well.