Taking my 5 month old swimming - random questions.. please help!

[Puddingsmummy]

So I've been thinking about taking my 5 month old swimming for a while now and think it's about time we took the plunge.

I'll be going alone with him and I'm just wondering how I go about getting us both changed, do I just put him on the floor on a towel?
Am I best carrying him in rather than taking a pushchair as I'm guessing there's nowhere to leave the buggy?
What should he wear? Obviously swim nappies but just shirts over or something else?

What else do I need to know?

I haven't been to a swimming pool for years if you haven't guessed 😳

• shorts not shirts

Following, need to take ds too.

I think the all in one suits are better for babies as it keeps them warm in the water as well as keeping a secure second barrier for the contents of the nappy lol

As for changing - it all depends on what the changing area of your pool is like. If it’s a small filthy cubicle then I’d probably change on a thin travel nappy change mat in the pushchair / pram / car. If you go somewhere like David Lloyd it’s probably good to change on the floor with a nappy change mat.

What about showering?

I think it’s probably better to give them a bath at home. The showers can be hit and miss in terms of hygiene and temperature for babies.

A lot of swimming pools have a family change room with a fold down baby changer with straps so you can strap him onto that. If not, then floor is really your only option.
Swim nappy plus either an all in one swimsuit or swimming shorts. Don't take him in wearing a normal T-shirt or anything.

Don't take the buggy if you can manage carrying him; it just gets in the way. And it's a good idea to pick up a floating baby chair thing incase you want to float him along the pool.

I just went into the shower holding mine and got a good rinse. Then showered properly at home.

I used to take three towels - one for me and two for DS. Wrap DS in a towel after swimming, strap him onto the changing table (if it's a public pool there's almost certain to be one, IME), he's now snuggly and warm, with a little toy to keep him happy - one with buttons and lights always went down well for us! I then got dry and changed, then I had a second dry towel to properly dry DS off and get him dressed. Always chose easy, loose fit clothes for us both so no wrestling into jeans when I was damp, and generally a onesie for DS.

DS was always hungry after swimming so before he was weaned I would go straight to the leisure centre coffee shop for us both to have a drink. So make sure to take a bottle etc if you are bottle feeding.

DS and I swam from about the same age. Most pools have a changing table or similar and possibly a play pen to pop them in afterwards. Keeps them safely out of the way while you change.
You can buy reusable swim nappies rather than disposable ones. A floating chair is a good idea at this age.
In a normal pool, babies can get cold in about 10 minutes. Find a warmer one if possible and be prepared for the sessions to be short. I used to bf after a swim to warm him up, then moved to a warmed bottle when we stopped bf.

Oh and DS used to wear a swim nappy with neoprene nappy cover over the top - Happy Nappy or similar. He's never pooped in the pool, but I wouldn't chance it! You can get reusable swim nappies to go under the cover which fit for ages - DS can still use his, and he's 3.

I always take a towel dressing gown. I put it on over my cozzy while I change Dd and I’m almost dry by the time she’s done.
I also found that taking the car seat in with us and leaving it on the side of the pool was helpful as there were never enough baby seats or change tables.

I take DS in an easy outfit (zip onesie) and change him into swim nappy plus neoprene bodysuit. The bodysuit keeps him warm and gives me a better grip on him. Most pools have a changing table, you just need an extra towel to lie on. I also wear easy clothes myself (leggings and jumper). On the way out we just rinse with water and chuck on clothes then shower at home. Definitely don’t bring the buggy or anything.

Blow up swim seats are great but blow it up at home and carry it! Otherwise you’ll be there for ages with a screaming baby while you try to inflate a huge rubber ring.

That's a point, how do you get out the pool carrying a heavy baby? I seem to remember it being a haul climbing the ladder by myself let alone holding on to a baby?!

Maybe I need to pay the pool a visit before we go for a swim!

Good advice above. I used to strip DD first, keep her wrapped up in a warm towel, get myself dry and changed and then get her dressed. Other mums used to do it the other way round if their babies were really crying.

That's a point, how do you get out the pool carrying a heavy baby?

Most pools will have a smaller, family pool that you walk into down steps. I've never taken 3 and 1 year old DC into the main pool. We'd just be in the way of the proper swimmers.

Is there not a baby pool? Our local has a baby pool which is shin deep and it has slides and a big pirate ship etc. So you can go in the baby pool easily.
The leisure pool has stairs going down into it so you just walk up and down the stairs. No one takes babies into the big pool with only ladder access if they are on their own. At least, I've never seen them.

climbing the ladder

You might be pleasantly surprised by the changes in design for swimming pools. Our local authority leisure facility has a separate 'fitness pool' with lanes which looks like a traditional pool and a 'family pool' which has a very gentle slope to enter one at least one side. You can easily a baby into the water and as soon as they can walk they can toddle in at your side. And warm, the water and the air temperature warm like summer.

It's all good. Enjoy.

If you're going to a leisure centre you'll want the small pool which will have steps to get in/out rather than a ladder.

Use a "double nappy" system - a disposable swim nappy with a neoprene swimming nappy over the top to contain any poo incodents - www.splashabout.com/baby-swimming/happy-nappy-products/brand-new-happy-nappytm.html

Find out the temperature of the pool (if you phone they should be able to tell you). If it's under 30-32 degrees (depending on your baby, a small skinny baby will get colder quicker than my massive chunk!) get one of the wetsuits with built in swim nappy. If it's warmer (32+), just the nappy will do. The normal adult pool will be far too cold without a wetsuit. When I swim alone with my baby, if we use the large pool the lifeguard will hold him for me while I get in/out.

Go with your costume on under your clothes to save time. Don't be tempted to do the same with baby as swim nappies aren't absorbent, they only catch the solids!

Swimming with a baby is stressful when you start! There will be changing tables. When you're done, bundle him up in a towel, strap him on then quickly get changed yourself (easy to put on clothes!) then get baby ready. He's likely to be very tired after (30mins swimming is like 3 hours in the gym for us) and very hungry. Be prepared for screaming some crying and to feed immediately afterwards. He may only last 10-15 minutes before losing it. Go after nap time and give him a good feed at least an hour before you go.

The more you do it, the easier it gets for both of you!