Why do swim schools recommend a Happy Nappy™ over all other Swim Nappies?

Baby swimming lessons are a popular activity for parents with young babies and toddlers. First and foremost, it is a time for bonding, but these lessons also play a key role in helping children develop a love and respect for the water, preparing them for the next steps in their swimming journey.

What are the main differences between a disposable and a reusable swim nappy?

A crucial part of creating a successful, stress-free swimming experience for young swimmers is choosing the right swim nappy. The main choice is between a disposable swim nappy or a reusable one.

When first taking your baby swimming, it’s important to remember that no swim nappy—whether disposable or reusable—will hold in urine. A nappy designed to do so would become swollen and heavy, potentially weighing your baby down or even causing the nappy to fall off. Swim nappies are specifically intended to contain solid waste.

Disposable swim nappies are single-use and primarily made from plastics like polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyethylene. While they offer some protection against leaks, they can start to gape around the legs and back, reducing their effectiveness. It’s wise to bring a spare or two to the pool in case of an accident, but the need for multiple nappies can make disposables a costly option over time.

Reusable swim nappies, on the other hand, are designed for repeated use as long as they still fit your baby. Typically made from neoprene or polyester, they offer a snug fit that prevents gaping. Though they may seem more expensive initially, reusable swim nappies can be more economical in the long run if used regularly.

Baby Swimming Lessons

Around the world, baby swim schools are moving away from disposable swim nappies and increasingly recommending reusable options. Most require a double-layer nappy system: either a disposable swim nappy or a reusable under-nappy paired with a neoprene reusable swim nappy on top. And it’s not just any reusable swim nappy; the Splash About Happy Nappy™ in particular.

For this article, references to the Happy Nappy also include the full Happy Nappy™ range: the Happy Nappy Costume™, Happy Nappy Wetsuit™, Happy Nappy Sunsuit™, and the Happy Nappy Duo™.

Angela Caballero from Water Babies says:

"Happy Nappy is the go-to brand for Water Babies to keep our pools clean and super safe during swimming lessons. Comfy and super reliable, with over 20 years of know-how, we’re convinced it’s the top pick for reusable swim nappies, so you can enjoy a leak-free swim with your little one both during and outside of lessons.”

According to Heidi Reiss, co-owner of Aqua Beba Swim, speaking with the New York Strategist, the Happy Nappy™ is “like Fort Knox”—high praise, indeed, and exactly the level of reliability we aim to provide: a safe, leak-free swim experience. Anya Hall, owner of Little Whale Swim School in the USA, agrees, stating:

“Little Whale Swim School proudly requires Splash About’s Happy Nappies for all students under the age of 3. This was an easy transition for our customers as the designs are adorable, fabric and stitching are high quality and pricing is fair and affordable. Since implementing the uniform requirement, Happy Nappies have reduced our incidents of AFR’s [accident frequency rate] and closures by 80%! Splash About’s customer service and ordering process is top notch, we enjoy working with such a high standard company!”

So what is it about the Happy Nappy™ that makes us the Number One choice for these respected and valued swim schools?

Reliability:

The Happy Nappy™ is made from flexible neoprene that moves with the baby, with a shape specifically tailored to fit snugly around their bottom, preventing any gaps. It features no poppers, zips, or velcro, ensuring it stays secure even during vigorous movement. Specially designed nylon and elastane ribs around the waist and thighs create a close fit to prevent any solids from leaking. This unique ribbing, exclusive to Splash About, ensures the Happy Nappy™ is both durable and retains its shape with each wear, unlike many other reusable nappies that can stretch and lose effectiveness over time. While the ribbed areas of the Happy Nappy™ are designed to fit closely, you should still be able to run a finger between the rib and the baby’s skin to avoid red marks or chafing.

Rose Cholewinski, owner Swim America Davis USA endorses this:

“Since requiring the use of Happy Nappys for kiddos under the age of 4, we have significantly reduced the number of times we have had to shut down because of a ‘code brown’. The Happy Nappy properly contains any solids that occur unexpectedly and saves the day”  

The neoprene used in the Happy Nappy™ is naturally anti-bacterial, providing protection for sensitive bottoms against germs associated with faeces and helping to soothe nappy rash. When all babies in the pool wear the Happy Nappy™, the risk of contaminating the water with germs is significantly reduced.

Furthermore, the Happy Nappy Duo™ features an additional layer of antimicrobial protection with its silver inner nappy. This innovative silver layer has been tested and proven to kill viruses and germs before they leave the nappy, making it the first of its kind in the world. Swim schools that approve the Happy Nappy™ also endorse the Happy Nappy Duo™, eliminating the need for an under nappy.

Perfectly designed for Babies and Toddlers

Rose Cholewinski, owner of Swim America Davis USA told us:

“We have appreciated the design of the Happy Nappy. Proud ‘potty trained’ children feel confident the Happy Nappy is simply pool pants, required equipment for swimming and do not look like a pool diaper.’

The Happy Nappy™ is designed to fit children from newborns up to 5 years old and stands out from typical swim nappies. With a variety of adorable prints available, there’s a style to suit every taste, making it easier for swim schools to encourage their use. Parents and carers enjoy selecting from the cute designs, while older toddlers appreciate the nappy's discreet appearance.

Brendan O’Melveny, Imagine Swimming USA concurs:

“as the parent of two young children, I can say that they're easy to use and come in prints that my daughters love. I think every swim school should use Happy Nappies.”

So why are swim schools choosing the Happy Nappy™ over other reusable swim nappies?

Splash About has been a leading name in the baby swimming market since its establishment in 2005. All of our products undergo rigorous testing in laboratories and are trialled on real users before being launched for general sale. This ensures our products are as perfect as possible, which our loyal customers truly appreciate.

We maintain strong relationships with the swim schools that use our Happy Nappies and are always open to their feedback. Since its launch in 2005, the Happy Nappy™ has proven to be reliable and trustworthy, with no reported leaks from the swim schools that have used it for several years. Many swim schools worldwide endorse its use in their pools, reporting an 80% reduction in closures once the Happy Nappy™ was introduced.

Not only is the Happy Nappy™, along with the Happy Nappy Duo™ and the wider Happy Nappy™ product range, adored by parents and carers, but it also continues to dominate awards ceremonies. Most recently, the Happy Nappy Duo™ received platinum awards for Best Swim Aid and Best Travel Invention, as well as gold for Best Swimming Product at the Loved by Parents Awards 2023. Meanwhile, the Happy Nappy™ won gold in the Best Swim Nappy category at the Nappy Lady Awards 2023.

The widespread adoption of the Happy Nappy™ by swim schools, combined with the high praise from parents and caregivers, solidifies its position as the leading reusable swim nappy on the market. With its innovative design, exceptional performance, and commitment to safety and hygiene, the Happy Nappy™ continues to make waves in the world of baby swimming lessons, ensuring that every child's experience in the water is a happy one.