Taking 6 month old swimming - what do we need?

[Rarfy]

Hi

Just as the title says, can anyone help? What do I need for baby and do I need to check anything in particular with the pool? I was just going to ring and ask what temperature it's kept at then I assume I just need a swim nappy? Should I get any blow up things for support?

I know probably sounds really silly but the only people I know who go, go to a private pool and I think due to the temperature they have their babies kitted out in all sorts that I don't think I need if the pool temp is right, 32degrees I think I read?

Also the swim nappies can be tight to take off, imagine how messy it would be if they had done a poo without a nappy underneath.

I live in fear of the day DS poops in the pool, your poor pal!!!

I was wondering how grim removing the wetsuit would be if full of poo. Dds poos are more often than not very wet and runny so will double up. Thanks for the advice, that would be mortifying!

I think I'm maybe less usual but I swim with DS twice a week at least and we have been going since he was about 8 weeks old- he is now 10 months. Our routine:

• I put my swimming costume on under my.clothes and pack my bra and pants
• get to the pool, I strip and put stuff in locker
• change DS into a reusable swim nappy and happy nappy. Our pool is warm and I've never bothered with the suit but we used it loads on holiday as it is UV proof
• take towel to the pool with us and lay it out on bench
• swim for up to 40 mins
• get out. I take DS's nappies off and then wrap him in the towel (otherwise they just soak the towel!)
• get in cubicle. I strip myself then dry and dress DS. If he is happy he sits on the change mat and plays while I dress (I just use his towel - I'm almost dry anyway. I always have a roll on deo in my bag too as I dont like him being close to aerosols). If he is wriggly I pop him on his pushchair.
• go home.

So total stuff needed: usual change bag, happy nappy swim nappy, costume for me, one towel, roll on deo).

Have fun!

Milk or snack for after, my kids are older now and still really like a snack on way home. It seems swimming makes them very hungry :)
And nice warm clothes for the way home (if you live in a climate like ours) :)

You might want to take a little toy for your baby to hold in the water - my daughter enjoys holding one of her bath toys when we go swimming.

Also, remember that swim nappies (even reusable ones) are not designed to keep wee in, so best to put these on as late as possible before swimming and change your little you out of them as soon as possible afterwards to minimise the risk of being weed on!

I did not know that swim nappies didn't hold wee. So glad I started this thread. The roll on deodarant is a great tip too as I would also worry about aerosol. These are all great tips. Laying out the towel beside the pool is a great idea.

Dp is trying to get me to go to a pool about 40mins away as it's a decent kids themed pool, which probably means it will be heaving. I'd much rather go to the more local pool which I think will be much quieter and saves on the commuting time too. I'll take a freshly made bottle. Thanks.

Just remember that the first couple of times probably won't go completely smoothly as you work out what order of getting dry/dressed etc works for you but after a couple of visits you'll be a fab hand at getting sorted either side of the swim (and then your child will learn to walk and will start running around naked while you try and wrestle them into a swimsuit and suddenly it all starts taking twice as long again!)

If children are wearing ordinary swimsuits or those all-in-one suits they come off easier when you are still in the pool. I used to remove their costumes just before we got out but left the swim nappies on until we got back to the cubicle or shower.

I would stay locally in the beginning, there is no point in driving so long until you really know how your baby is in the water.

Save the fancy pool for a weekend and take your DP, a lot easier with two people anyway. When they are older then they really enjoy little slides or water jets but keep it simple at the beginning.

I will go back to dp with that sound piece of advice.

Would never have thought to take costume off in pool, will give that a go.

Yes I will go prepared for the worst and hope for the best haha.

Good luck @Rarfy! As much of a military operation it may feel, swimming with baby is lovely and so good for them! Enjoy x

Thanks so much!

Lots of time!

You will enjoy it if you take the obvious and a snack/feed for afterwards.

Plan it so they are not to tired and can enjoy it they will sleep afterwards!

It takes longer than you think to get you both changed afterwards the first few times so do it when you have nothing to rush back for.

We had a lovely time, thank you everyone. Fortunately the changing rooms were very famil friendly with a pull down changer and a stand changer with sides on in the cubicles. Really enjoyed it and dd lasted a good half hour in the water with her wetsuit.

Great to hear.