The summer is here and where better to take your baby but to the beach or maybe your local swimming pool.

Most babies just love splashing about in the water, and swimming is both fun and really good exercise for your baby. However, until your baby is potty trained you will need to use a swim nappy to help combat any little accidents.

There are some great washable swim nappies on the market with lovely bright sunshine colours and funky patterns. You can even get matching tops for baby girls and some of the fabrics also include UV protection.

Washable swim nappies are made of soft stretchy bathing suit material, and come with either a plastic inner to contain the nappy’s contents or an inner mesh which contains the solids but lets liquid out until baby is safely back on dry land.

A good swim nappy should have snug and soft elastic at the legs and waist so nothing can escape. Poppers or Velcro side openings can be helpful when taking off a soiled nappy or you could opt for a conventional pull up design. You will need to check the size and weight carefully before you buy, as with all nappies, an ill fitting swim nappy will leak! And as always, change your baby regularly to avoid nappy rash.

Washable swim nappies have many benefits:
• They look and feel like normal swimwear
• They are great value for money
• They won’t weigh your baby down in the water
• They take up next to no room when packing
for your holidays.

They also have a considerable environmental benefit, helping to reduce the hundreds of disposable nappies that end up as litter on our beaches every year.

So whether you are enjoying the many miles of our beautiful coastline or jetting off to foreign sands, travel light with washable swim nappies but don’t forget the sun cream!

Swim Nappies are available from:

• www.mothercare.com
• www.babykind.co.uk
• www.fill-your-pants.com
• www.nappyeverafter.co.uk
• www.stratfordnappies.co.uk
• www.thenappylady.co.uk

Or to find a retailer local to you please use our Nappy Finder at the top of this page.

You can see view product reviews on swim nappies at www.goreal.org.uk/product

If you have some good advice or find any bargains, please post a comment below to spread the word!