The Swimsuit Edition (making a nappy-accessible toddler swimsuit)

Sorry if you saw the title and thought you were going to see me in a swimsuit on here, I don't mean to induce panic!!! I promise you, that will NEVER happen!!!

No, no, don't worry, this post is about adding snaps (or press studs) to baby girls' swimmers so that they are easy to change them into a swimming nappy (diaper). 

nappy accessible swimsuit nappy accessible swimsuit nappy accessible swimsuit nappy accessible swimsuit 

I have always had a bit of an obsession with baby shoes, and these days I have an obsession with baby swimsuits. They are just so cute! I have been taking Maddie to swimming lessons since she was 6 months old and she is such a little fish. She just loves being in the water and gets so excited she jumps in first (much to the horror of the lifeguards!). 

The whole process of going swimming though is not without its effort. The pool is about a half an hour walk from home, so we get suited and booted, pack all essentials and snacks and head off. I learned (the hard way) a long time ago that whilst swimming nappies are great for the actual swimming part, they don't actually hold that much on dry land, and so doesn't survive the 45 minute home-to-pool process without drenching baby, clothes and pram. Not fun!

So, I started adjusting Maddie's swimmers to have snap closes at the bottom to remove this problem. 

The hardest part of this little project is cutting into a pair of gorgeous swimmers!!! I mean seriously, how cute are these...

(Aunty Julie, this one is for you!)

 You will need matching thread, scissors and snap closures, which you can buy as individual snaps or in strips. I used strips but either would work.

I like to cut at the natural seam at the bottom of the swimsuit because it makes them more easily line up when you are finished. Pin the snaps in place and sew into place. 

Remember that one strip will be on the inside and will snap onto a strip on the outside (makes little sense now but when you are doing it, have a test before sewing!!). 

The finished product looks like this:

And you'd never know that they have been altered, other than we are now the first ones in the pool each week, not frantically running late and joining in half way through The Wheels on the Bus!!

It is so simple and I truly don't know why the makers don't factor them in already, but it makes the world of difference! So then you can get them all in their togs with a regular nappy and when you are poolside just change the nappy without having to get them fully undressed. 

Here's where I got each pair this season (and there may be a few sneaky hidden ones ready for summer, but shhh don't tell Husband!).

Hatley Whales
USA: Saks 5th Avenue
UK: Little Sunflowers 

Baby Gap (SOLD OUT)
http://www.gap.com

Zara Baby (RED ONLY)
www.zara.com

If your bub loves swimming and you are irked by the whole swimming nappy capacity issue, this is a quick fix that will make you do an internal pat on the back every time!

Psst!! If you are looking for a little more meg-made, I'd LOVE for you to follow along!