Talking my 3 year old fashionista into a rash guard over her swimsuit is painful. The combination of tears, sweat and inflexible fabric make me want to jump in a lake…or pool or anywhere cooler than the heat that arises between us.
A rash guard/swim shirt provides an alternative to sunscreen to protect your little one’s skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Many swim shirts carry a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 50+, which blocks out over 98% of the sun’s harmful rays. According to KidsHealth.org, “repeated unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer.” If getting your child to stand still long enough to properly cover them with enough sunscreen is a challenge or if your child has allergies or sensitivities to sun lotion, rash guards offer an easy solution.
If the health risk of sending your little ones out without coverage (#nomorebittybikinis) isn’t enough, then maybe these fashion forward combinations will convince you to keep your kids covered!
Maldives Rash Guard Set by Cabana Life, $48 – I love the combination of prints and the zip neck. Practical and cute.
Skirted Swim Tights by Coolibar, $39.50 – Mention the word skirt to my daughter and she’s down! Everything on this site is UPF 50+ and the site offers fitness wear for moms too.
Striped Heart Rash Guard Set by Gymboree, $20.97 (on sale) – Gymboree suits have amazing quality and the price is right. You’ll heart it.
Daddy’s Little Girl by SwimZip, $29.99 – Full zip with bows and tagless, no wonder this company was on Shark Tank!
Bow Rash Guard Set, Baby Blue by Floatimini, $65.10 – If there ever was a time to spend over $60 on a kids swim suit, now would be it. Don’t let the price scare you. One trip to their website (and sale section) will have you feeling better in no time. P.S. Floatimini has been a regular on Zulilly as well.
And finally, I can’t forget about my little man Jack. While he’s perfectly content in any swimsuit, he’d opt for superheros or marine life if given a choice. I’d love to see him in this lobster set by Cabana Life, $49.