Baby swimming - what do I actually need?

[hereismydog]

Clueless FTM taking my baby swimming for the first time this week and not sure if I need a washable swim nappy AND a baby wetsuit, or if the wetsuit does the same job as the swim nappy. I’ve Googled and haven’t been totally satisfied with the answer and I don’t want to risk my little one having a poonami in the pool thanks in advance!

You need both (a disposable swim nappy and then a washable thing on top). This is how it was with mine anyway

Swim nappy first and then swimwear over the top. So if you're using the items you mentioned you'd want to use both the reusable swim nappy and the wetsuit together.

You need a swim nappy under the wetsuit, either disposable or washable is usually fine, but some pools ask you to double up with a disposable underneath the washable one, so check what the police is at the pool you're going to.

Thank you told you I was clueless! I’ll go for the belt and braces approach and use a disposable liner, washable swim pants and a wetsuit. Hopefully there will be no poo escaping on my watch 👀

Here’s where I buy all this gear and it will transpire that he hates swimming 😂

Just remember, the swim nappy only holds solids for a very short period of time. If they do a poo get them out pronto!

Even if your baby 'hates' swimming, persevere, it's a very important skill - life saving in fact!

Baby swim lessons are just a bit of fun and getting used to the water. From about 3yo, they can learn properly, but don't "persevere" at a very young age (still in nappies) if you and / or your baby hate it

Most important thing is be ready to change baby really fast after swimming. They often howl when they get out and are in the cold air so be quick with towel and warm clothes etc.

Disposable swim nappy (you can buy from boots/amazon) and then a waterproof outer swim nappy (Reusable and washable. 'Splash about' is a good brand)

I remember this confusing me too hehe.

And gawwwwd the prep to take babies swimming. Make sure you have warm milk/snack for after as they will be hungry!

Agreed! DP still can’t swim due to a crippling phobia of water after a near-drowning as a child so I’m determined to get our little one happy and confident in water as soon as I can. He does absolutely love the bath (even when I rinse his hair!) so I’m hoping he also loves the BIG bath. He’s only 9 weeks old so I imagine we will just be standing in the pool for 10 minutes and then getting out as I don’t want him to get chilly, but it’s a start. I’m desperate to get in a pool again, I went swimming every chance I got in the last few weeks of pregnancy because I was so uncomfortable on dry land 😂 it’s a bloody lovely, warm little pool so I hope he enjoys it 🥰 if not, we’ll try again in a couple of months!

Definitely get a baby wet suit. They get chilly so quickly. And a hooded towel. I found take swim stuff off baby, wrap them and then you quickly get changed as they're wrapped up.

i like these so easy to get baby in and out of.I use with a disposable swim nappy

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261480598942?_skw=baby+wetsuit&itmmeta=01JMWRYGEM9Y0AWJVMZ4FH60WN&hash=item3ce1754d9e%3Ag%3AycgAAOSwofdluOCc&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fHv988TgM4MgYWqtjoNrHpHyjHwtaMOILXvIDC2z9SyfMdpml5%2FGi%2FKknMF3bRG%2BjAcPqszJIh0wv2dk%2BYmf%2BBOM6HdEJ1wD5kXP1md7jgSpDht--wqoeMghWAMpKo9%2FOxqPfcYirh9Djy8I0dU3UpyShglM5ypLUjfnSJLejPV0aAWE75i9O%2F2E25prUuL5b%2FJLHhxFjw2XUZt%2BWEoYK8%2FqUshP%2FO1tefeK4W6QgTkn79ZLTV04hElkYkbSDFJHU%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8SH-pinZQ&var=560359305915

I have developed quite the baby swim routine over the last year. My DD is 15 months and we’ve been going since she was 3 months.

At home right before we go I dress her in the swim nappy (we use the yellow disposables) and swimming costume - she wears a long sleeved/long legged outfit with poppers and a zip. Over the top of this I put a normal nappy. Over this a thick zippered onsie with a hood. We have this one www.polarnopyret.co.uk/collections/0-1years-new-arrivals/products/soft-sweatshirt-baby-all-in-one-60602071-9015?variant=54811507818870

Then at the pool it’s easy to undress her, I do take extra swim and normal nappies incase if accident but it’s only happened once.

I also take a bath mat with me which I use to lay her on either on the bench or changer after swimming.

Then final tip is if you find it difficult getting the costume off once wet it’s much easier to do in the water.

Post swimming just important to get them warm (in the thick onsie) and fed quickly and usually a massive nap follows - the perfect time for a coffee or shopping!

Side note - it’s worth trying the splash about slightly thicker wetsuits especially if the pool is a bit cooler, my DD didn’t seem to like it as reduced her movement, and the pool we go to is really quite warm. So might take a bit of trial and error.

I saw a post somewhere just the other day saying that you can wash and reuse the disposable swim nappies... never tried but maybe worth a go!

You will need lots of towels. Don't bring big unwieldy bath sheets, just several (as in at least 5-7) hand towels. The sports ones that are very light and dry fast are good for this. You basically want one for the floor for while you sort the baby, so at least your feet aren't still dripping when you eventually get to shoes, one for the changing table, at least one on top of the baby while you're changing them so they don't get too cold, a couple of spares for when they wee all over the first two, and then whatever you need to dry yourself. Lots and lots of hand towels...

Also don't make plans for immediately after swimming because then your baby will wee on all the spare towels too before you get dried.

You don't actually need to use a disposable swim nappy.

What you actually need is a "catch" layer to hold the solids, a neoprene layer to prevent leaks, and the costume/wetsuit.

I used a Zoggs reusable swim nappy (but Bambino Mio ones are nicer) then a Splash About Happy Nappy when we first went but I've now upgraded to a Happy Nappy Duo which is the catch and leak-proof layers in one. The Duo is a pain in the arse to get on and off as it's really tight-fitting but it's very convenient.

We went with a Happy Nappy and Swimbubs fleecy wetsuit in the end! Pleased to report that he LOVED it, and there were no trails of poo following us about

The pool had lovely sensory lights, it was toasty warm and very calm and peaceful. Going to make it a weekly thing now that I know he enjoys it we even made new friends!