In tears about swimming

[SoloMumJustMuddlingThrough]

I have been desperate to take my DD swimming for months (she is 17 months) but am struggling with coming to terms with post partum body and swimming costumes. I'm a healthy weight but it's the proportions that are making it impossible to find a swimming costume I feel confident in. Huge GG breastfeeding boobs that are odd sizes and come down past my belly button. I'm not overweight at 57kg and 165cm (though about 5kg more than I'm happy).

Its not even about looking good, it's just I cant find a costume that fits my boobs and body. all the fancy bikinis for bustier girls are way out of my budget - like £80 for a swimming costume?! 😅 That's more than I have to spend in a whole week! I'm looking for a basic costume to take my kid to the pool not a holiday beach sexy number.

I feel really terrible. I've bought a couple of vinted over the past few months but they have all stretched out of shape (sold as very good condition but about to fall apart on reality) and don't fit which has made me feel worse.

What would you do. How can I over come this?

M&S do a sporty one that zips at the front that is good for big saggy boobs and mum tum https://www.marksandspencer.com/active-zip-through-plunge-swimsuit/p/clp60375735?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

have a look at the Bra Stop website. they sell discounted good quality bras and swimsuits for larger cup sizes

I have J cup mahoosive boobs and can can't go braless in anything! I have this tankini and its the only swimwear that holds me in, gives a nice shape and isn't wired. It looks like a 1 piece but has the beauty of being 2, so its easy to go to the loo etc. They have high waisted bottoms or you could wear board shorts. I think they have a swim skirt option also.

www.matalan.co.uk/clothing/black-tummy-control-wrap-front-tankini-top/14307768.html

Once you figure out the right size you can buy from Vinted. Can you go to a proper shop and try loads on? I went to John Lewis and figured out what size I was in Pour Moi - quite different in cup sizes and band from what I had expected. Then could buy the same size on Vinted for £5 - happy days!

This morning I was emotional because I felt crap about my body. Now I feel emotional because of all the kind comments & great suggestions. 😅

Thank you everyone who commented. I've bought the Freya bikini top to try and will have a look on decathlon for a rash vest or something similar.

I'm planning to start swimming regularly with DD in September so have a month to loose a couple of kg and get the swimwear department sorted (for both of us). I'm assuming reusable swim nappies are the way forward?? 😅 At this rate I'm going to have to take out a mortgage just to get into the pool!

Once again I'm very grateful for all the comments and suggestions. Collectively everyone has made me feel a lot better than

Freya do swimsuits as well - worth keeping an eye out for sales (M&S and Next definitely stock Freya).

I have a few of their bikinis and really rate them. Hope you have a fantastic time swimming with your DC!

Swim leggings and rash vest! Then any bikini top that fits you under it. Don’t panic, you’ll find something you feel better in. It is hard though. I got cheap back swim leggings from Amazon (3/4 length) and I love them.

splash about happy nappy for bubba and they do a wrap for warmth depending if you’re going to a pool at a leisure centre rather than a warmer one

I also highly recommend this swimsuit with legs and a sports bra underneath.

Yes or a nice bakini top under it. I have a very cheap Primark swimming costume with zero support and wear one under

https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/zne317/zone3-aquaflo-plus-women's-top

something like this, with your own bra and bottoms/shorts.

They are great. DD also wore their wetsuit for several years. Very useful in a totally cold pool in Majorca, DH was freezing and DD wouldn't want to come out.

What about a tankini? You can get bottoms to fit and then a top designed for those with a bigger bust. Mix and match is the way to go usually.

Decathlon also so surf t shirts that don’t absorb water and therefore don’t cling as well. I have a few of these and they are Greta

I am an FF, not big but squishier and definitely of a lot different body at the moment and have found the control crossover swimsuits from Next suit me most, give enough support and coverage at the top (and space!) and the pull in tummy makes me feel of a sleeker shape!

OP- to add to my earlier suggestion of the matalan tankini up thread, I find having some fake tan on makes me feel a better better. My skin rarely sees the sun and my thighs are the pastiest of white. I've also have had stretch marks on them (and boobs) since a teen, so always an area I'm not keen to show in public. I've also put on alot of weight since WFH the past few years and I think peri didn't helping.

I've recently started joining an early morning sea swimming group. All shapes and sizes- the same as you'd see in a pool. People are more interested in their swimming/conversation etc than scrutinising others bodies. I hope you find an outfit that you feel comfortable and confident in. x

Buy a supportive bikini top, pair of bottoms and a rash vest. Lots of end of season bargains to be had

I’m a GG and wear pour moi swimsuits. Really flattering.

my favourite top is Freya, I have M&S high wasted control bottoms (I have 3 pairs of those because whilst I’m willing to rewear the top, not so much the pants and they were only £5.80 a pair in the sale a couple of years ago

https://www.pourmoi.co.uk/products/beach-bound-high-neck-suit/?styleid=59149

Also get a towel poncho for yourself as nothing worse than having to stand there dripping wet & cold whilst you get the little one changed first. At least wearing a towel or dressing gown your arms are free to then sort them out and if need be strap them into pushchair or seat to then get yourself dry. It’s great taking kids swimming but if your on your own it does feel like you spend more time in the changing room than the pool at that age.

I second this suggestion. You can get some bargains in the sale section.

What pools are you all swimming in that allows you to wear anything besides a proper costume/bikini or trunks?
our local pools don’t allow anything else

@SoloMumJustMuddlingThrough good luck with finding a swim “suit” that works for you. On the high street, Mountain Warehouse does rash vests and board shorts at reasonable prices.

Re: nappies - ask at your pool what their policy is. My youngest is nearly 14 now, but when my dc were babies, the (several) pools we went to wanted a Huggies type disposable swim nappy under a neoprene Happy Nappy type of thing. They included the disposable nappy in the price of a parent & toddler swim.

At 17 months old your daughter may not need a wetsuit wrap, but maybe an all
in one uv suit type of thing.

Also ask if you can take your pushchair in with you, to keep your dd safe while you are changing.

good luck!

Nothing stopped me from taking my young baby swimming and I am huge compared to you.

Nothing has stopped me getting myself out there so my children can experience the world and I am huge compared to you.