5 Top Tips to get in the pool with your little one by Rebecca Adlington

"Olympic swimming champion and Huggies Little Swimmers brand ambassador Rebecca Adlington is already taking her baby daughter Summer swimming, and hopes to encourage other parents to take the plunge with their little ones. Here she shares her five top reasons to get in the pool:

I loved being in the water from a young age and my sisters and I were fortunate to have parents who took us swimming every Saturday. It was the most fun we had as kids and created lots of wonderful memories. And it doesn’t cost a fortune!

Swimming is a life skill everyone should have - it could save your life one day as well as being great for your health and wellbeing. I’d love Summer to follow in my footsteps but whatever she decides 

to do, I’ll be happy as long as she’s a confident swimmer. Just like my parents, Harry and I plan to take her swimming every week.

Getting back in the water is empowering for new mums as well as being a great confidence 

booster. It’s easier said than done, but women should try not to worry about their post-pregnancy 

figure and instead embrace spending time with their new arrivals. It’s also worthwhile remembering 

that swimming is a fantastic all over body exercise which can help tone your body. You actually burn 

300 calories for every 30 minutes of swimming, which is why it is one of the most effective forms of cardiovascular exercise.

Swimming is one of the few activities you and your little one can actually participate in and enjoy 

together – it provides that real special bonding time for parents and children.

Once you’ve been swimming with your baby a few times you’ll realise that it’s a huge amount of  fun and really not much hassle. Preparation is key of course and a well-packed swim bag can make it even more enjoyable. I never leave home without Huggies® Little Swimmers, which won’t expand or leak in the water, a change mat and oversized towels to wrap up in when we come out of the pool.

For practical advice, support videos and a step-by-step guide to baby swimming, visit 

www.littleswimmers.co.uk".

Disclamer: Huggies have provided baby wipes (couple of packs) for the purpose of this post. 

Review: Huggies Little swimmers swim pants

When I was pregnant with L I used to read My two mums adventures in a swimming pool with the little man as I was interested how a baby can handle swimming pool, in particular what happens when they do a wee or poo. I have never considered an idea that a baby can wear swimming pants simply because I wasn't aware of their existence. 

Since I gave birth I wanted to take L to the swimming pool but was either waiting when she had a full set of jabs or when I can be bothered to go to the swimming pool (yes, I'm a little bit lazy these days). We had few sunny days in June which meant lots of fun in a paddling pool for L. Huggies have kindly sent us a pack of Huggies Little swimmers swim pants.

Swim pants are available in 3 sizes: 2-3 (3kg-8kg), 3-4 (7kg-15kg) and 5-6 (12kg-18kg). 

 I like the principal of pull up pants as I think they are much easier to put on a wriggly baby and I was pleasantly surprised to see that Little swimmers are pull up ones. 
We have tested Little swimmers in size 3-4 (£5.90 in my local Sainsbury's) which fits perfectly on L. 

The waistband, side panels and material around thigh area are stretchy which mean that you baby won't feel restricted or uncomfortable. 

The side panels can be adjusted it you think that they are too tight or too loose for your little one. The front and back of the swim pants is clearly marked the front has Nemo clown fish and at the back it will say "back". 

Once L was out of the water I decided to check Little swimmers pants if they were full of water from the pool and they were as full as normal nappy would be which means that they hold the wee and don't soak any water from the outside.

Overall, a great product which we will be using on our holiday. Would be great to see maybe gender- specific or a lager variety of designs.

Disclaimer: I was sent the pack of swim pants mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.