The Best Baby Swimwear for Your Junior Beach Bums
Splish, splash! These swimwear picks will keep baby cute and covered in the sun and water.
By Latifah Miles | Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
A chance to splash around in cool water on a warm, sunny day is a dream for most little ones. And having a swimsuit and sunscreen (and a sun hat and pair of baby sunglasses too) on hand is essential.
You can find swimsuits for babies and toddlers in all the classic styles: one-piece, two-piece and trunks as well as fuller-coverage styles like rash guards (i.e. sun shirts) and rompers (i.e. sunsuits) that have short or long sleeves. Rash guards and rompers are particularly popular because they’re made with material that has built-in sun protection for sensitive skin, so you aren’t chasing kiddos down to slather on the sunscreen every hour or coping with aloe vera the next day. When choosing colors and designs for your baby’s next swimsuit, here’s something to keep in mind for water safety: Certain colors are harder to see in a pool. White and shades of blue can make it harder to spot your little one in the water, while bright and neon shades of green, purple, red and orange are much easier to see.
To help you prepare for those water-filled, sandy fun days, we’ve rounded up some of the cutest and most comfortable suits around.
Best One-Piece Swimsuits for Babies
One-piece swimsuits for babies come in a variety of styles but the styles you’ll see most often are long sleeve and tank tops. For younger babies who aren’t old enough to wear sunscreen, long-sleeved one-piece swimsuits can protect their delicate skin from the sun while still allowing air to flow to keep them cool. For older babies who can be slathered in sunscreen, you can opt for a tank style. Here are some adorable options that we love:
Best Two-Piece Swimsuits for Babies
Just like a one-piece, two-piece swimsuits are available in a dozen different styles but for little babies under a year old, most of them will have sleeves and a longer top to amp up the sun protection. Here are a few super cute sets:
Best Rash Guards for Babies
Rash guards are long-sleeved (but there are also short-sleeve options) one-piece rompers or single tops that protect your baby’s skin from the UV rays of the sun. If a long-sleeved top on a hot sunny day seems counterintuitive, rash guards are usually lightweight and airy so your baby won’t feel stifled. A rash guard can be worn as a swimsuit or in addition to your baby’s swimsuit. Here are a few that we love:
Best Swim Trunks for Babies
Swim trunks for babies are great for a pool day because you can mix and match them with different tops plus since they allow easy access for diaper changes too. Here are a few stylish options:
Best Reusable Swim Diapers for Babies
If you’re going on a beach vacation or plan to fill your summer with endless pool days, having a few reusable swim diapers on hand can save you a few bucks. Unlike the standard diaper, reusable swim diapers are less absorbent to prevent them from sucking up pool or beach water and sagging. Instead, they are designed to just hold in solids. Here are a few to choose from:
Best Swimsuit Cover-ups for Babies
Once they’re done splashing around, a cover-up is a nice accessory that can carry your baby from the pool to lounging without getting too chilly. We really like these:
Best Water Shoes for Babies
For little walkers, cruisers, and standers—water shoes can keep their tiny toes safe from rocks and gritty dirt. Water shoes allow water to flow freely and are usually made of firm plastic or neoprene, allowing them to dry quickly so your baby’s feet don’t feel soggy. Here are some tried and true favorites:
Best Life Jackets for Babies
Planning a boat day with your baby in tow? According to the United States Coast Guard, a USCG-approved life jacket is highly recommended. There are hundreds of life jackets on the market but one of the most important things to keep an eye out for is a USCG stamp of approval. This ensures that the life jacket has been tested and meet a set of neccessary standards. Additionally, you should make sure you have the right fight by taking a look at the weight and age range on the life jacket. To learn more about find a life jacket for your baby, please visit the United State Coast Guard information page. Here are a few well-rated USGC-approved options:
Latifah Miles
Senior Commerce Editor
Latifah Miles is the Senior Commerce Editor at Babylist.