To try and take a baby and 3 yr old swimming on my own

[Whirliwig72]

Reality check needed please. Ds1 wants to go swimming - he's 3 and can only really doggy paddle if holding on to me. Also have 8 month old who I'll need to keep hold of. The local pool is shallow enough for ds1 to paddle about in on his own in shallow end but deepens quite quickly. He's quite sensible and I don't think he'd do anything silly like try to jump in out of his depth but you never know. In torn between thinking I'm being a bit paranoid to worry and thinking its a mad and dangerous idea. I'm too tired to be logical today - please tell me what to do!

You'd better check with the pool first, a lot of pools have rules that you are not allowed more than one under a certain age per adult. They may not let you.

Are you allowed to?-at our local pools you have to have one adult for every child under 5?.

Does your pool not have a baby pool you could stay in?-itherwise you need one of those inflatable seats for baby so you can hold on to your toddler if needs be.

Call the pool. They may have a policy whereby each under 8 needs an adult with them so it might not be your decision to make anyway.

If they allow it, either put baby in one of those floating ring things or put armbands on DS. Ideally I would wait until someone can look after baby and take DS alone.

Thinking could have baby in baby bjorn sling and still have hands free for ds1 anyone done that?

I have done this at the same ages. I got ds (the 3yo) a noodle type float. Whenever we went in the deep end he stuck it under his arms, then could propel himself around without having to hang onto me.

We also had a chat before going in about not going too far away from me etc. He's always been pretty sensible and rule-abiding and it all worked well.

That sounds like a logistical nightmare, I wouldn't.

Maybe I'm a wimp though?

At our local pool both DC would need proper inflatable gear, either armbands or a shark fin for older DC and inflatable seat for younger DC.

I can only take my 2 without this once DD2 is 4 (3 months and counting!!!!)

Def wouldn't do sling, what if you tripped and fell over, baby's head would be underwater.

Our pool's rule is one adult for every 2 kids under 8.

Oh and mine can both swim a width, so i have no worries about them being ok.

I know our local pool wouldn't allow you to, it is 1 adult per child under the age of 5.

I did . I left the baby in the carseat poolside and went in the pool with DS .
Would recommend the baby swimseat and noodle idea though .

Our local pool allows it but only in baby pool. I have done it before but only when dc were older. 3 and 5 I think.

I guess another factor is that baby is likely to tire much more quickly that older one so then there would be a row when i called time after 20 mons or so

our local pool policy is 1 adult to 1 child under 4, 1 adult to 2 children between age 4 and 8 and if they are 8 they can go in by themselves. I wasnt able to take the kids by myself until last year when ds turned 4.

Not allowed to in our local pool, 1 adult to each child under 4.

If your pool's ratios are slacker, I suggest a seat for the baby and arm bands for the older one. Lots of towels and snacks - get yourself dressed first while they eat whilst wrapped up, then when you are finished get them dressed.

Wouldn't advise a Baby Bjorn. They're very badly designed for both mothers and babies. But I have two water slings, a ring sling and a woven wrap, made of polyester so they're thin and light and dry quickly. If you are allowed both of the children on your own, one like that would help. It's also useful when you're trying to put everything in the locker as you have your hands free.

Of course you can! I used to do it with two similarly aged DC (and I don't swim). I had the baby in an inflatable seat and the toddler wearing armbands, & stayed in the shallow end of course. My toddler was briefed on how to behave (as much as you can with a child that young) and would grab a float or inflatable cylinder etc and have a whale of a time. I hate the swimming pool and have a real issue with water except in my bath, shower, tea, coffee and whisky but even I was perfectly confident with the set-up.

Have had baby in an inflatable seat and 2 year old in arm bands, and baby in car seat by pool side and 2 year old in pool, or mixture of both.

Now at the stage where 11,13 and 15 year olds cycle on their own to the pool and do what they like in there!

With regards to the time issue, think you just have to be clear about it and give penty of warnings. For example, if older one is used to going for longer, tell them in advance you won't be able to stay in for so long and then give eg 5, 3 and 1min warnings before you get out. If possible try to start warnings when the baby is getting restless but before they start screaming...

Actually I'm really surprised about all these pool rules - plenty of my friends took their babies and 2/3yos on their own, as did I, we never really thought of it as a problem. Going with a friend made it easier, especially at the drying/dressing stage.

Does your pool have a creche? I take dd1 swimming, and leave dd2 in the creche. But, I think you're mad to take both of them. My dd1 is 2.8, and dd2 is 11mo. Would never do it myself x

You might need to consider the fact that your baby might not like the inflatable seat... I had a velcro baby who hated it. Suggest you don't base your entire trip on the baby sitting happily in the seat for half an hour!

Water sling sounds brilliant.

You wouldnt be allowed in our local pool - need one adult per child!

I used to do this with my 2 - the older one (aged 3) would go in wearing arm bands and a rubber ring, and could then pootle around unaided. The younger one (aged 1.5) in arm bands, but being held my me most of the time.

I would be super-organised about changing them afterwards - take time-consuming snacks like raisins and bananas to keep one occupied whilst you change the other. And a separate bag for each child.

Thanks everyone - wish it wasn't a water strike here then I could just take them along to the play fountains locally. Seems really mean that they have extended the ban to cover parks and playgrounds

Still in two minds - both are napping now so will try and get together some inner steel

I take mine nearly everyday. Ds used to wear a life jacket thing for kids I got from the us, or arm bands, but he is a top swimmer now:) dd wears arms bands now but I used to just hold her . The hardest bit is greeting everyone dry and dressed in those tiny cubicles. Am not ready to flash my droopy body to anyone:)