Are you looking for a new swimming essential?
Child friendly, bright and fun?
The summer has been hot and Maxwell and I have enjoyed trips to the swimming pool. Maxwell loves to splash around and cool down in the heat however one of the main things that puts me off taking Maxwell swimming is all the fuss of getting him dressed, washed and dry as well as sorting myself out and having to worry about what is around him. Huggies recently sent me their new swim mat and I was amazed at how much it has helped me over the last month.
The swim mat we were sent is a non-slip mat which folds into a small waterproof pouch. It is the perfect size to throw into a changing bag as it doest take much room up. It is child friendly as it is bright and is decorated as a frog and it is very eye catching. Maxwell loves the frog design and often points to the frogs big googly eyes.
The material of the mat is quite thick and it is slightly cushioned which provides comfort to your child. The mat is machine washable which is a huge plus as it can be thrown into the washing machine after each swim along with other washing such as towels and swimming clothes.
Whilst I have been getting myself ready after our swim I have been placing Maxwell on the mat with a little toy and he has sat there playing quietly. When using the mat I am confident that Maxwell is not going to have to be uncomfortable or have to sit on a cold, wet, dirty floor.
The only thing I would like to see on the mat is a small raise so that Maxwell is able to rest his head more comfortably when he is laying down. I would also like to see Huggies bring the mat's out in different animal characters as they only offer to at the moment - The frog and penguin designs.
I have found that the mat has come in handy for other things such as when Maxwell gets out of his paddling pool he is able to step onto his mat rather than the grass. I have also found it great to take to the beach when we go paddling as he can simply step back on the mat rather than stepping in dirty seaweed or sharp shells.
Olympian and swim teacher Karen Pickering has come up with some fantastic swimming tips to keep your child happy and safe when swimming.
TOP TIPS FOR BABY SWIMMING
It’s never too early – your baby doesn’t need to be immunised before swimming so get them to the pool as soon as you feel ready
Planning your swimming trip is essential for ensuring a stress-free session. Put your swimming costume on under your clothes before heading out so you can focus your attention on changing your little one at the pool
Always put a swim nappy on your little one before going into the pool. Huggies® Little Swimmers® are made from absorbent materials that won’t swell in the water, have unique leak guards to avoid little accidents escaping and easy open sides to make change time as hassle free as possible
Stay by your little one at all times – not only is it safe, but it also helps to form a close bond
Maintain eye contact with your little one; smile, relax and drop down to the same level – your baby will love seeing you splashing too!
You may want to have your partner or a friend with you when you first start swimming, just whilst you get used to handling a wet baby – or even better, join a baby swim school like Water Babies to help with both yours and your baby’s confidence in the water
One of the best ways to get into the pool is to lay your baby safely on the poolside, enter the water and then lift them in – your Water Babies swim teacher can teach you the best way to do this
Keep your little one safe and hygienic at the pool side and avoid any trips or falls with the durable non-slip Huggies® Little Swimmers® Hygiene Mat, available in fun frog or penguin designs!
The Huggies swim mat is priced £6.99, it’s currently available from Boots, Tesco and Amazon. For more information please visit Huggies website.
I did not receive any financial reward for writing this review.
However we did receive the product for review purposes. Everything written in this post is my own, honest opinion.
