  We study the baby Skyrme model as a theory that interpolates between two
distinct BPS systems. For this a near-BPS approximation can be used which,
however, involves a small deviation from each of the two BPS limits. We provide
analytical explanation and numerical support for the validity of this
approximation. We then study the set of all possible supersymmetric extensions
of the baby Skyrme model with ${\cal N}=1$ and the particular ones with
extended ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetries and relate this to the above mentioned
almost-BPS approximation.

High Energy Physics - Theory