How the hell do I manage this?

[MillshakePickle]

About to go on holiday with a 10m old. Planning on swimming and doing our first baby swim classes while there.

Slightly freaking out about how the fuck do I manage to get him changed and me changed before and after? He is fully mobile. Not walking yet but not far off either and doesn't sit still.

Getting changed first shouldn't be a problem will wear swim suit underneath our clothes. Might be tricky but manageable.

Are you allowed to bring strollers into the change rooms?

H won't be there for the first day. It's UK based so leaving swim stuff on after isn't an option as I'm sure it will be fucking cold!

Any advice appreciated. And, yes feel free to state the bloody obvious because I haven't worked it out. Happy to be called a moron. Especially, when this is a second baby but huge age gap!

Thank you so many fab tips.

Cringey, but doing trial runs in the shower. Getting him use to his suit costume and me changing.

So far so good, but it's warm in my bathroom. We will see what cold and excitement add to the mix

After swimming, I lay my toddler on the bench covered in two towels and then dry myself (not well) quickly and throw on my clothes. I make sure I dress in things that are loose and won't stick to my skin.
She's currently 21 months so unsure of how long she'll tolerate lying on the bench for, but luckily she's been ok so far!

Snacks!

Many changing rooms either have kid play pens or the seats with a lap strap. Pop little one in there with a snack while you get changed. They will be hungry after swimming!

Or aim to use a family changing room and pop them on a towel on the floor with a snack.

They often have a play pen in the changing room so you can change little one and pop them in or some have a seat on the wall in the family changing room that can strap them in to. DH and I used to alternate taking the younger one to swimming lesson whilst the other stayed with our older one so we did it a lot. It depends on the venue. Places that do baby swimming lesson are generally kitted out for this exact scenario. Could be worth ringing and asking maybe.

I’d either take a poncho type towel or a robe for you to keep you warm (stop your towel falling off) whilst you change LO, the wearable towel was a game changer for us 😂

double nappy means a swim nappy (disposable or reusable) then a nappy nappy, it that helps. Happy nappies are quite tight neoprene things that seal the waist and leg holes against those lovely poop- splosions we are all familiar with 🙈

Pretty sure CP's have little baby seats you can actually strap them in, in the cubicles and some of the bigger ones have playpens in too, change him first, pop in chair/strap in and then change yourself. They do not allow buggies past the changing room doors.

I've been twice a week since 4 weeks PP, baby now just over 1.
Try not to get own hair wet whilst swimming makes things 200x easier.

quick shower rinse, strip baby in shower. Get stuff and baby into changing room, triple check door locked. (Most important. I forgot once. 6 weeks PP. Might owe some other parents therapy costs for their littles.)

Strip off own cossie and wrap self in towel. Dry and dress baby.
Hand it tiny pincer grasp snacks. Cheerios/rice crispies in suction bowl attached to bench always a winner for mine.
Throw own outfit, preferably loose fitting clothes, on to your own semi dry body. Inside out/back to front/upside down all fine as long as no major decency laws broken.

Throw everything apart from your dignity into huge, sturdy, open top bag for life to deal with later. Including toddler if needs must.

Walk out with your pendulum tatas swinging proudly, sweat on your face/every pore, and your hair resembling a sweaty wet grunge rocker in the 90s.

You are fucking brilliant! Long lost soul mate, I've found you.

And awesome tips! Thank you. Pincer grip snacks will be used. They need baby's concentration. Love that.

And if I can avoid wet hair I will!

An excellent and accurate summary! 🤣

most swimming places i’ve ever been have a family change with either a playpen of a seat you can strap them in to
night be worth calling ahead to ask