Millennial Mother

Full Review:

I have a confession to make. I can’t swim. I hate the water. I am petrified of not being in control. My mum took me to swimming lessons, I did swimming in school, my siblings are all good swimmers but me … I don’t even like going above my belly button in a swimming pool. You can imagine this makes it difficult to teach Nancy to swim. But, I am determined that she will love water.

It seems the done thing to do when you have a newborn is to attend baby swimming lessons. I personally didn’t attend baby swimming lessons partly because I hated my body and the thought of getting in a swimming pool in my swimming costume made me want to curl in a ball and partly because I was worried about the water with a little one. We tried to take her swimming once in a while during the first year of her life but she cried and I was so nervous. It didn’t really work. Everyone told me she had to start swimming for birth because otherwise she would never swim, she would hate the water and the whole world of swimming would collapse.

When Nancy was two we thought that maybe we needed to try swimming lessons to help us both feel confident in the water. At this point she didn’t even like baths and washing her hair left us both distressed. We signed up to one and we lasted maybe 4 weeks. Nancy cried and cried and clung to me in the water so tightly. I nearly exposed more than I wanted to as she clung to my swimming costume straps! We decided that her screaming for 30 minutes was a waste of time and money so we stopped swimming lessons. Plus when she cried I became nervous and I honestly think she picked up on my nerves. We tried to take her swimming a couple of times a month for the next 9 months. Although neither myself or my husband knew how to teach her to swim but we did help her develop confidence in the water. When we went on holiday this year she really fell in love with swimming.

Last month we decided to give swimming lessons another try. We spent a lot of time researching and found a lovely small business called Dolphin Swimming Academy run by Rich and his wife, Charlotte. He invited us to attend a free trial to see how Nancy got on and it really worked. Her instructor was so lovely and really took his time to make Nancy feel comfortable. He also has a magic watering can which is totally awesome.

We then made it fun by giving Nancy some fancy new swimming items from Splash About. She received a lovely swimming costume matched with a warm poncho to wrap around her when she got out the water. The idea of having something special for her swimming classes really made her feel excited about going. The costume itself is a beautiful design and Nancy definitely approved. I also find it so durable and we have used it a number of times and washes it with no problems. The poncho is an ideal purchase for putting on when Nancy gets out the pool, with a hood which keeps her head warm. The best part is that it washes and dries easily, so I imagine on holiday this would be a dream.

We then took her to a swimming class and from day 1 she went in the water on her own with the swimming teacher. This wasn’t too difficult because Nancy attends nursery so she is pretty confident without me. I honestly think going in the water on her own with a fabulous teacher is the dream combination. She now practices back stroke, bubbles in the water and even jumping off the water. For a girl who cried a year ago I couldn’t be more proud.

As I mentioned before, I’m nervous in the water. To try and help me with this and to increase my confidence I used Splash About’s floatsuit with Nancy.  It’s different to armbands, because the floats are centred around Nancy’s chest and back so she can move her arms and now has more freedom in the water, it also puts her in a natural learn to swim position in the pool – watch this short video of the floatsuit in action here

I really hope the swimming lessons help Nancy grow into a strong confident swimmer who is able to enjoy the water safely. And in light of my title ‘what happens if you didn’t do water babies?’ Absolutely nothing. Nancy is learning to swim with children her own age. She grows more confident every week.

Splash About have a variety of products. I have previously purchased their happy nappies and they are ideal for youngsters as nothing is escaping those trunks. Here are my top picks

•  Baby wrap to keep your newborn warm. Personally I love the Nina’s Ark print
• Happy Nappy Dragonfly costume. No number 2’s will escape those beauties.
• If I had a boy I would definitely be purchasing the Board surf shorts because they are so cool!
• Goggles are a great purchase. Nancy loves wearing them in the water and only lets the swimming teacher adjust them.

Thank you for reading everyone.

Kelly Yasmin Bayley
Millennial Mother

Guru Reviews: Baby Swimwear Bundle

Reviewer: Abigail Fields

As a Mum of a very active toddler, I know first-hand how important it is to engage in stimulating activities. Swimming has always been a love of mine and it was always something I wanted to involve Carter in. Finding swimwear for babies and toddlers that are suitable for all types of water, be it regular swimming pools, hydrotherapy pools and the sea, can become very expensive. And the fact that your child is continuously growing at the speed of light, doesn’t bode well for our bank balances! The Splash About Baby Swim Kit combines all of those separate swimming costumes into one, for an affordable price, ensuring that they are long lasting and reusable.

The kit comes with the iconic ‘Happy Nappy’.A staple for every mini swimmer’s wardrobe. This is something we have used since Carter was 8 weeks old at his first swimming lesson and I will forever continue to recommend it. This soft neoprene nappy is kind to delicate skin but secure enough to prevent any leakage into the pool, (which is great peace of mind for any parent). The Happy Nappy, which is worn over the top of a reusable swim nappy can be used in warmer water or can be worn underneath the Baby Wrap for colder swimming conditions.

The Baby Wrap is perfect for those colder pools and the sea. It is incredibly easy to slip on, and with a wriggly toddler this is something I was extremely grateful for! The shoulders, torso and waist are secured with Velcro which enables you to adjust it specifically to your child’s body shape. (Another incredible money saver!) Both the Happy Nappy and Baby Wrap offer SPF 50+ protection against the sun and come in an array of designs which are certain to excite any young budding swimmer.

Finally, the kit comes with a reusable swim nappy and a pack of liners. This is something that is very new to me as I’ve always been guilty of buying disposable swim nappies. Not only do they cost a fortune, especially if your child swims on a regular basis, but they are harmful to the environment. The reusable nappy is an incredibly affordable alternative and the liners are 100% biodegradable (you can even flush them). They fit under the Happy Nappy perfectly and work just as well as the disposable nappies, but save you money in the process!

Featured Product:

Baby Swimwear Bundle

How safe is it to take your baby with eczema swimming? It is well documented that swimming is extremely beneficial for babies. It can help aspects of their growth and encourage positive behavioural developments such as confidence and patience, as well as improve balance and coordination. Despite this, the pool can be extremely daunting for parents of babies with eczema as some might worry that chlorine will aggravate the skin and cause infection. However, research shows that it can provide long and short-term health benefits. Although there are concerns to consider before taking the plunge, there are a variety of ways to help protect your baby’s skin before, during and after swimming.

Bernadette Spofforth, managing director at children and baby swimwear specialist Splash About, says: “Swimming can be a bit of a worry for parents of babies with eczema, which is understandable, but if you do your research you’ll find those fears can be put to rest and swimming can become an enjoyable experience for everyone.

“It is an important skill for anybody to master and having eczema doesn’t necessarily mean that learning how to swim isn’t a possibility for your child.”

Research how the pool is cleaned

The majority of public swimming pools are cleaned with chlorine, which can make skin dry and cause aggravation. As part of an eczema and swimming factsheet, the National Eczema Society advises you to contact the facilities to find out what time they add the chlorine into the pool and to avoid swimming immediately afterwards. The higher the level of chlorine, the larger the risk of skin irritation.

Other options that can be kinder but are much more uncommon are pools containing ozone, which usually aren’t as drying to the skin, and salt water, which can be soothing but can also sting the skin if the child has broken skin.

When exploring each possibility, it is advised that you only spend a short amount of time in the pool in case it worsens your child’s condition.

“Unfortunately, it is trial and error to find the most suitable option for your baby’s skin. You may want to arrange a taster session with a swimming teacher, which most are happy to do,” Bernadette said.

Apply barrier cream and moisturiser

As swimming pool water can be quite drying due to the cleaning chemicals it contains, applying a generous amount of moisturiser an hour before can stop these chemicals from angering the skin. If a child has unhealed scratches, a barrier cream will help protect them from external irritants and infections. After leaving the pool and showering, apply moisturiser again.

Dr Adam Friedmann, from The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic, said : “Chlorine is quite an irritant to eczema, so often parents complain that the children get dramatically worse after swimming. Before swimming, I suggest applying a greasy moisturising cream all over the child, as this acts a little like a barrier and can prevent the chlorine irritating the eczema, whilst hydrating the skin.

“Ensure your child showers afterwards and moisturises well before getting dressed. I normally advise to wash the child using only creams, not soaps or detergent (EG aqueous cream, Dermol 500). Then, re-apply the child’s regular moisturiser immediately.

“I’d recommend when bathing or showering to use warm water, as hot water can make eczema worse, and keep baths/showers short as the skin can get irritated if kept in the water for too long.”

Use a protective wetsuit

A baby wetsuit is ideal for preventing children from scratching vulnerable areas of their body. Another benefit is that it will stop any barrier cream that is applied underneath the suit from being rubbed off or absorbed by the fabric. Equally, such suits allow parents to keep a firm grip of their child in the water. A wetsuit also helps protect the skin from abrasions due to the material on swimming floats, and from being in contact with other external irritants.

Water temperatures that help and hurt

Baby swimming classes are often held in warm temperatures, which are usually ideal for infants but not for eczema sufferers. Health experts warn that this can be drying to skin and worsen existing symptoms, while cooler water can be extremely soothing towards angry skin. Before taking your child, it is always worthwhile ringing the centre to find out the pool’s temperature.

Prevent itching at night

Many babies with eczema struggle to sleep due to their itchy skin and anything that can be done to change this is a huge help for parents. Recent findings discovered that for every hour of the day a child is inactive, three minutes are added on to the time it takes them to fall asleep. Swimming is a great way to get children active from a young age and although it isn’t guaranteed that they will sleep well every night, using the extra energy can improve sleeping patterns.

Short and long-term health benefits

Research shows that up to 80% of children with eczema develop asthma later in life. However, swimming can help control the symptoms by strengthening the heart and lungs.

Swimming can help irritated skin because chlorine kills the bacteria that develops infections. However, the National Eczema Society advises parents to avoid taking their child swimming if their skin is already infected or flaring badly.

Mumii VIP Jonathan

Full Review:

Mumii VIP Jonathan, his wife Louise and their 2-year-old daughter had lots of fun while testing the Go Splash Swim Vest from Splash About!

First impressions:

A really lovely design and great fit. Our daughter is quite petite for her age so we selected the 1-2 year old size. It fitted perfectly and was really easy to put on.

Review:

My daughter loved the vest. She would even try it on and wear it around the house, as you can see!

The fit was great and it had a really easy-to-use big zip, which was great with wet fingers. There was plenty of space between the top of the vest and my daughters chin, which was good – given its buoyancy, I was worried in case it kept rising up in the water, but it didn’t. It floated really well, though, and was definitely helpful. My daughter is still learning to swim and she was able to practise (and enjoy herself!) far more effectively in the Go Splash vest than when using standard armbands.

The design is also really pretty and I think this helped as there was never any fuss about putting it on; my daughter loved wearing it.

It’s also easy to get off whilst in the water. Some swim items are really fiddly and when it’s just one adult in the water it can make them almost impossible to use. This vest, however, was super straightforward.

The material is soft and dries really quickly.

I would definitely use this product again and would recommend it for use.

There were some lovely design choices, but I’d like to see more and have personalisation available too if possible. I think they would make a great gift if you could.

PROS:

• Really soft
• Easy to fit
• Useful cover to prevent the child easily unzipping the vest

CONS:

• I think the sizes are quite wide-ranging so having one for ages 2-4 could be very large for a 2-year-old; maybe half sizes would be better

I would recommend this product to other parents!

Last month we put out a shout out to all our fabulous splash parents in order to gather the best tips and advice for staying safe in the sun. We know the best advice comes from real people and real parents, not some marketing graduate in an office and you have done us so proud! If we could we would show all the advice that was entered but then it would be 100 pages long! So we have chosen a select few (plus our two winners) of our favourite entries…

We hope you enjoy and find them as useful as we did…

MarTina Mik

1. Cover your little one as much as you can, including sun hats and UV swimsuit
2. Use sunscreen. Best with no chemical filters, those in supermarkets not really the best choice. Use non nano uncoated Zinc Oxide, as it’s not chemical filter and saves environment as well.
3. Plenty of water but be careful not to drink cold water as it’s the worst you can do in hot weather for your body and especially your baby’s body
4. Snack, Bucket, Sunshade tent and you’re good to go

Melanie Feltham

Make a game out of putting cream on. We ask our little one to count the squires of cream or how many he wants on each part of his body so he has some control. We also let him see us put cream on - advice make it fun (meltdowns will happen). Also making a shade den is a good tip - however- we've only managed a parasol this year- I'm in the middle of sewing a teepee right now - but will use the sheet over a washing line tip any day. Ohh and lots of hats to choose from -2 year old likes choice! Haha

Becki Jo-Ann

Keeping out of the heat at the hottest part of the day is important, especially with little ones. Making sure you have well and frequently applied suncream with a 5 star uva and uvb rating is a must, as is keeping your skin covered with loose clothing. Always make sure you have a hat on too! Keep hydrated, but be careful not to drink icy water as this can actually be harmful especially for little ones. Be safe and make sure your sunny days are enjoyable!

Margaret Gallagher

1st and foremost: SPF - cover up with cotton / UPF clothing and hats with childproof sunglasses too

2nd: Teach water safety

3rd: Always ensure one person is watching at all times on the beach. Do it in turns

Common sense to say – don’t let your children go out to far in the sea especially with inflatables.

Katherine Howard (Was Shore)

In addition to the usual - high factor sun cream, hats, correct uva sunglasses, good swimwear with a high UPF rating, plenty to drink, get a flannel and soak it in water, then freeze it. Take it out in the morning and put into a plastic bag (in a freezer bag if possible for longer use) and take it out when you go out with little ones. Give their face a cool wipe for a nice cool break from the heat. Works a treat x

Gemma Louise Davies

My children love to wear the sunscreen bands which monitor uv sun exposure and change colour to let you know when to reapply sunscreen and when to cover up and get out of the sun. My daughter also has a doll (Sonny Ciccibello Doll) which actually tans when he is left in the sun- however these marks magically vanish when the doll is no longer exposed to sunlight! I think being sun savvy is of upmost importance.

Beth McQuade

Cover head to toe in protective clothing. Apply sun cream at least half hour before going out. A decent hat that covers the neck and ears.

Regular suncream application...

And on top of that staying safe in the water with a parent always watching. Swimming between the red and yellow flags. Learning the dangers of the water!! (I’m a baby and pre school swim Teacher)

Joanne Atkins

If going to the beach you can take a cheap shower curtain dig a little pool in the sand line it with the curtain and fill with a little water for a perfect size baby pool anywhere on the beach keeping your little ones cool! To keep baby safe from the sun while they play in it take a pop up UV tent without a base (or cut the base out) and place it over your little pool so it’s safe and in the shade!

Such excellent advice! We also just want to say a huge thank you to everyone that entered. We’ll be a lot safer in the sun next year after reading all your advice!

Happy Splashing!

Guru Reviews: Go Splash Swim Vest

Reviewer: Samantha Humphreys

The Splash About Go Splash Swim Vest is an excellent swim aid when your child is learning to swim and needs that extra bit of confidence in the water. Logan has swam in lessons since he was 8 weeks old but when I was about to pop with Evie we took a break from lessons as he was dealing with some separation anxiety and his next lot of lessons required him going into the pool by himself. After this he was very reluctant to try and practice his swimming and nearly lost all confidence he had in the pool, even with armbands on he felt like he was going to sink.  

When we received the swim vest he was unsure at first at wearing a vest around him while swimming. However he soon realised how incredibly comfy it was to wear and easy enough to put on and zip up himself.

We took it away with us on holiday to Butlins for the week and it is compact enough for travel and can fit rolled in his swim bag or flat in a suitcase as it is nice and flexible.

After reassuring him that he was ok to swim with it in the pool he took the leap and left my arms and swam over to the side. Excited that he didn't sink and he felt more freedom than he did with armbands, there was then no stopping him! He was off and swimming away, it was such a lovely sight to see after we had struggled for so long at getting him to try.

To quote Logan 'It's awesome! Good and great!' and got a thumbs up when we got out the pool. He couldn't wait to go swimming again.

There are some gorgeous bright designs on the Splash About Website. They are a great alternative to armbands - easy to hook over your arm when heading to the changing rooms and no prep required before you head into the pool. We also found due to the high quality neoprene it was so fast drying and perfect for Holiday when kids are in and out of the pool. We've used it quite a few times now and it has washed up lovely and we have experienced no fading to the product.

Lots of people have asked me about it when we've been in the pool and always comment on the great design. Logan would have one in every colour if he could. We will be packing it in our suitcase when we head to America later in the year!

It is especially good that it gives that extra layer of sun protection when around the pool and at the beach without making them too hot.

I can't wait to see how Logan's swimming develops with his confidence at having the vest on. It allows us to relax a bit more while swimming knowing he isn't in a panic about being on the surface. It is a swim aid but he has never gone under the water while wearing it and quite happy to swim out into water where he can't reach the bottom of the pool. It has made all the difference to our family swimming experience and we highly recommend it. They come in ages 1-2 Years, 2-4 Years and 4-6 Years and I can't wait to try one out on Evie too to allow her more freedom in the pool, I don't think we'll ever go back to armbands now!

Featured Product:

Go Splash Swim Vest Vintage Moby

Guru Reviews: Happy Nappy Wetsuit Nina's Ark

Reviewer: Kelly Edmonds

Eliza has loved swimming lessons, holiday pools and paddling pools this summer. Her super cute swimsuit has enabled her to take full advantage of water play .

So I was a bit skeptical at first that the swim suit actually did anything other look great and work as a nappy., we did a bit of a experiment. I took her swimming with her brother (Age 5) in just a regular swim suit.Eliza had so much fun but only lasted about 30 min In the pool before she got cold. Her brother was not a happy boy with as he was still enjoying himself.

The following week we tried again, but this time put her splash about suite on. What a success ! she stayed in the pool happy until we were all ready to get out, not only this but I noticed she was happier when getting changed and when I took it off her tummy was lovely and warm!

The swim suit made the whole experience less rushed and more fun and relaxing for us all.

The suit has also meant that she can enjoy the big padding pool in the garden and take advantage of this glorious weather with all the family.

It’s so quick to dry that she is able to take it off for a food break and then when she is ready to play in the water again the suit is dry and ready too!

This gorgeous suit is so easy to get on and off her too. I would advise putting a splash about nappy liner or disposable nappy underneath, just incase !

I highly recommend this product, I love how it fits her and will last from 6 to 14months so we can get good use out of it. It’s tight like a nappy should be so we know there will be no pool accidents. It’s comfortable for her to walk and swim and just so practical and looks amazing!

It’s definitely a must have for fun in the water !

Featured Product:

Happy Nappy Wetsuit Nina's Ark

Adventures of a Yorkshire Mum.

Full Review:

It's no secret that my children are water babies. I mean, if there's water around, it's safe to say one, if not all, of my children will be paddling. We have the pool out most of the school holidays and they love the rain. We also go swimming once a week to help them build confidence around water.

Have you ever tried keep a wet child warm, and drying them off, after a play session in the water though... hard isn't it? Towels just don't hang around well and children either end up all wrapped up and unable to move or freezing when the towel keeps falling off.

Splash About has introduced a brand new range of ponchos and hooded towels in two beautiful designs, to ensure babies and children are warm and cosy after coming out of the water - whether it’s swimming in the pool or the sea.

Soft, super absorbent and made from luxurious natural cotton, the towels start from £16.99 in price and are available in two designs - the powder blue Noah’s Ark with a bold orange lion, and Nina’s Ark with a striking zebra on a baby pink backdrop.

Designed to complement Splash About’s range of Happy Nappy swim nappies and baby wetsuits, the Hooded Towels are one size but suitable from birth to two years and retail at £16.99, whereas the Splash About Ponchos are longer length to fit children 2-6 years and are priced at £19.99.

They fold flat so are the perfect beach cover ups and are easily packed into suitcases or swim bags. J much prefers having a poncho to wear after being in the water because the hood dries his hair and stops it dripping onto him.

Adventures of a Yorkshire Mum.

Ester Formenko

Full Review:

Hi Friends,

Happy Friday! Finally we are getting some sun in SoCal. Aria is starting swimming lessons next week and I’ve been researching the best swimwear for her. One of my friends told me about Splash About and I decided to check them out. They have a huge verity of swimwear and swimming aids for babies, toddlers and kids.

I got Aria a Floatsuit to start getting her comfortable in the water. It’s has sun protection and contains 16 piece adjustable system which helps your child correctly learn how to swim.

Now that Aria is starting swimming lessons, they require reusable swimming diapers for preventing unwanted leaks into the pool. Happy Nappyprovides excellent leak prevention and made from soft nylon – lycra top.

Also, New Happy Nappy is the most reliable swim nappy in the world, sold in over 30 countries worldwide and insisted by many swim schools. The improved Happy Nappy has been technically constructed to move as your baby moves ensuring the safest most leak free fit.

If you are wanting to start swimming lessons for your child, I would definitely recommend Splash About products.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Essie

http://lifewithessie.com/2018/06/08/summer-time/

Featured Products:
Happy Nappy Costume Pink Blossom
Floatsuit Apple Daisy

Parenting website Slick Mummy posts “I’m delighted to see Splash About’s new range of hooded towels, with cute Noah and Nina’s ark designs as ponchos for bigger kids and hooded towels for little ones.” 

http://slickmummy.com/apres-swim-wear-from-splash-about/

Featured Products:
Hooded Towels
Hooded Poncho Towels