**CLOSED** From Childish Notions: A Bambino Mio Swim Nappy Review and Giveaway

I am very happy to be sharing another product review with you terrific readers. This time, Judith from Childish Notions sent me a swim nappy from Bambino Mio to review (I like saying that in a British accent--how 'bout you? ;)

I have very much enjoyed partnering with Childish Notions for this review and giveaway process.  Once again, I am pleased to announce (for all you Canucks!) that this is another homegrown Canadian company!  Childish Notions is run by two moms (turned best friends) who are passionate about all things necessary to make life pleasant and practical while raising little ones.  From this online shop, Judith and Leanne offer up a wide variety of kiddie goods--they have everything from feeding utensils to baby bathtubs to BPA-free sippies  to--of course--cloth diapers.  When they said they would like to offer me a swim diaper to try out with baby Aurelia, I was excited and nervous at the same time.  A swim diaper, hey?  I wasn't even sure I knew how those worked.  I had never taken any baby swimming before, much less my five month old darling.  How would a swim diaper work, anyways?  I saw my friends toting their little ones to the pool in disposable swim diapers, these things that would come out sopping and dripping after an afternoon of fun.  They never looked like that much fun to me.  In my mind I was dreading a 'cloth' swim diaper even more.  How could layers upon layers of cotton or bamboo or microfiber not drink up half the pool?  And what happens to the pee?  I was intrigued.

I began researching about a month ago, doing reading on the topic of swim diapers.  I was a little surprised to find out that any type of swim diaper, disposable or not, does nothing to deal with the pee situation.  I suppose the premise is that anything you're swimming in is so heavily loaded up with either chlorine or salt that it will just take care of itself.  I mentioned this to my child-less sister in passing, thinking she would be grossed out.  After all, I had never before considered the fact that babies were just swimming around peeing in our pools.  When I told her, "Yeah, if they pee, I guess it just all escapes into the water."  She replied, flippantly and with a goofy grin, "That's no different than if I decided to pee in the pool."  And though she was just joking (I hope!), I suppose she does have a good point.  Diapers or no diapers, if people want to pee in the pool, they will! ;)

So, throughout my poking around, I found out that the sole purpose of a swim diaper--to put it bluntly--is to simply contain the poop.  As such, any variety of swim diapers need to be snug-fitting around the legs and waist so that no "surprises" can sneak out.  I know another major brand of swim diaper uses a wrap-style cover (think of a diaper cover with no liners or inserts inside).  I thought those may have some major bunching issues (especially under a cute, girly swimsuit).  So, I was presently surprised to receive the Bambino Mio pull-up swim diaper from Childish Notions.  It pulls on just like a little pair of shorts would, with elastic around the waist and legs.  Additional to the elastic in the waist, there is also a drawstring on the inside of the diaper for optimal cinching.

These swim diapers are available in four different weight ranges:

the drawstring tucks in at the tummy

S: 11-16 lbs
M: 16-21 lbs
L: 21-27 lbs
XL: 27-34 lbs

I pulled the swim diaper on to Aurelia with no fuss at all!  In fact, I like how soft it is--with no closures of any kind, there is nothing to scratch at baby's soft skin on the way on.  The waterproof fabric itself is super soft and the elastic is well-covered to provide a barrier between it and baby's skin.  Once on, this really just looks like a slim little pair of panties or underwear.  In fact, it was quite cute to see Aurelia's true tiny little shape in there after all her months of having a super fluffy bum! ;)  I flipped the waistband inside out to cinch in the drawstring a little and then tucked it back over to go swimming.

We had a terrific first ever experience 'swimming' in our large master bedroom bathtub.  I got my bathing suit on too, and we splashed around.  I was shocked by how well babies float!  All the while I was checking the diaper.  It did not get baggy in the water (the waist and legs kept a good fit).  I kept hoping that Aurelia would "do the dirty deed" so that I could indeed see if the nappy would contain it all, but we had no such luck.  However, after my numerous checks, I was reassured that we had a very good seal and am certain the diaper would work to contain all it had to if the time came.  Aurelia also had a very fun time checking out all the cute little fish on the print as we splish-splashed around!

When the time came to finally get out, Daddy simply gathered Aurelia into a big towel and dried her off, just like any other adult or child would do when they climbed out in a wet bathing suit.  I gave the swim diaper a good rinse in the sink and then simply hung it up to dry with my own bikini.  I absolutely love that there was no waste with using this diaper--nothing to awkwardly try to remove and chuck in the garbage at the end of a fun day swimming.  I love that it is an investment piece that is cute enough to wear, quite frankly, without any other swimsuit over top at all.  I love that when we go away on holidays, all we'll have to take is this one tiny little item as opposed to a whole package of disposable swim diapers (which also cost $10+ per pack!).

So, after saying all this, aren't you going to be pleased to hear that you, too, can win your very own Bambino Mio swim diaper from Childish Notions!

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BUY IT:
Head over to Childish Notions to purchase your own Bambino Mio swim nappy!

WIN IT:
Childish Notions is generously offering one lucky reader a gender- and weight-appropriate Bambino Mio swim nappy for your little one!


GIVEAWAY ENDS 02/27/11 at 11:59 PM MST
OPEN TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
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Final details: I received no financial compensation for this review or giveaway, though I did receive the sample item free of charge. All opinions shared are my own, and I was not persuaded to share anything other than my own thoughts. This giveaway will end on February 27, 2011 at 11:59pm MST and is open to residents of Canada only. Winner will be chosen randomly using random.org’s services. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen. The prize will be supplied and mailed out to the winner by the sponsor of this giveaway.