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Original poster

To be petrified of taking baby swimming

41 replies

Xfirefly · 16/01/2014 11:27

I suffer with awful anxiety. I panick in busy supermarkets, unfamiliar places etc but I never avoid them as I don't want to let it beat me.

We've decided to take DD (4months) for her first swim tomorrow and I'm already panicking! Once I've done something once I'm fine to do it alone later.

Our local leisure centre doesnt have a family changing area so I'm taking DD in with me. please tell me how you approach changing etc with a baby. I'm panicking about the silliest things like where do you put the baby whilst you're changing etc.

do you think I'm worrying and being silly for nothing?

tell me what you do when you go alone with your babies. some handy hints will calm my nerves.

DP offered to take her in with him but I need to do it so I can start going weekly when he's in work.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 16/01/2014 11:29

Why do you want to take her swimming?

TantrumsAndBalloons · 16/01/2014 11:30

You dont have to go swimming if it is causing you to worry so much. The baby is 4 months old, you can wait a while.

Thewhingingdefective · 16/01/2014 11:31

YANBU if you suffer from anxiety, but you know yourself that your fear is not of an appropriate level.

You and your baby will be fine. Please believe that.

Do you have any techniques or coping strategies to get your anxiety under control so it doesn't disrupt your life? If not, you should speak to someone that can help you work through things.

Starballbunny · 16/01/2014 11:34

Some pools have changing tables and play pens. I have been known just to stick Dzd on the bench and get changed leaning against her so she can't fall off.

It's a bit of a juggling act, but you'll get there.

Isisizzie · 16/01/2014 11:34

Change them on the floor. They can't go anywhere. Take 2 towels with you 1 for by the pool so you can wrap them as soon as you get out. Lay them on changing mat get the nappy off then wrap in dry towel. Get yourself dressed I find by the time I'm dressed DD has wriggled herself mostly dry then get her dressed and then a feed as she is always starving.
A drink for you as well and a bit of chocolate to be your treat for doing so well at swimming/changing on your own.

Original poster
Xfirefly · 16/01/2014 11:34

I've always coped with it. I want to do these things but have worries beforehand. I'm excited about taking her, just keep having these panicky thoughts about what to do whilst changing etc.

I want to do this as there's not much to do groupwise in the area and she loves a bath so think she would enjoy it.

OP posts:
CocktailQueen · 16/01/2014 11:34

Why do you need to taker her swimming?? it's not something you NEED to do with a 4 month old. I found swimming with the dc when they were young stressful by myself.

Why not do something nice with her, then perhaps take her at the weekend with dh so he's an extra pair of hands for holding your dd while you get changed etc.?

Thurlow · 16/01/2014 11:35

It's ok to panic, the swimming pool changing room is an eye-opener first time around! But a 4mo is easily manageable so you'll be well practised by the time they can run away Grin

Put your swimming costume on at home under your clothes (and don't forget to pack your underwear for when you get dressed afterwards!) Then take several towels and a dressing gown/wrap if you can

When you get there, I found it easiest to leave the baby in the pushchair - we could take pushchairs into the changing room - or car seat, though if she's not rolling you could lie her on the bench on a towel. Get yourself quickly undressed, get into the dressing gown if it's chilly. Then get your DD undressed, into her swim nappy, and into her costume if she has one, wrap her in a towel again to keep her warm and put her back in the pram/car seat if you have one. Don't put the swim nappy on at home as they actually aren't absorbant and she'll pee all over the pram - on which note, put a towel underneath her if you put her in her pram.

When you get out the pool you get into your dressing gown so you don't freeze to death while getting the baby ready! Get her dried and in a clean nappy as soon as possible. Young babies can seem really upset at this stage as they're a bit cold and confused, so be ready to feed her really quickly if she needs it, even before getting her dressed.

It is all a bit of a faff that first time and it's easy to get flustered, which is why the dressing gown or cardi or something for you is my biggest tip, so you are more comfortable and feel calmer while you get your baby dried and sorted.

prettybutclumpy · 16/01/2014 11:35

I think you're doing a good thing in facing up to your fears, but as another poster says above, you don't have to go!

If you decide to go, try to find the biggest changing room. Just put the baby on the floor on a doubled over towel while you change yourself. You should probably get changed first, so your wee one doesn't get cold. Remember a swim nappy and imagine the feeling when you have a fun time splashing around.

Isisizzie · 16/01/2014 11:36

You can get a splash about changing mat for about a fiver from the supermarkets if you don't want to use your normal one.

PerpendicularVince · 16/01/2014 11:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

soupmaker · 16/01/2014 11:37

Hello. I swim with my DD2. We've swam since she was 8 weeks as DD1 loves swimming.

You just need to be organised.

You wear your swimming gear and have clothes that are easy to pull on. I do t-shirt, hoodie and yoga pants.

If there really are no baby changing tables take a travel/roll up change mat and two towels for baby. Change baby on the mat on top of towel. Shove everything into your changing bag in the right order for getting dressed. You get undressed first then do baby, but it's the opposite on the way out.

Take towel and any baby wash to side of pool.

On getting out, shower holding baby - don't even attempt to shower yourself properly. Wrap baby in towel.

Get baby dressed first and keep them on the floor while you get dressed.

Baby is likely to be very hungry afterwards so be prepared to feed.

You'll have a brilliant time. Just takes a bit of getting used to the juggle.

You may also find pool staff will help with ensuring you get a big changing room and assist with getting stuff out of your locker.

Thewhingingdefective · 16/01/2014 11:37

Okay, so here is what to do:

No family changing cubicle, so take her into a cubicle with you, or change in the communal area (where there is off a changing table.) Leave DD in infant carrier while you get changed, then change her. Fasten her back in infant carrier and take her with you while you put belongings in locker, making sure DD's towel is at front. Take baby out of infant carrier and leave that in changing room while you go to pool, or take infant seat with you if you want and leave at the side.

After swimming, get DD's towel first and wrap her up. Get belongings and find changing table. Dry and dress DD first and put in car seat, then you dry and dress yourself.

It will be fine.

MrsCakesPremonition · 16/01/2014 11:37

Can you call the pool and ask about changing facilities for babies? Or even pop in on your own and ask to have a look so you can plan in advance?

PerpendicularVince · 16/01/2014 11:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PenelopePipPop · 16/01/2014 11:41

I felt like this the first time I took DD swimming. But DD loved swimming so for us it was worth it.

A lot of places have nice big changing tables with curved sides so the baby cannot roll anywhere. But at 4m you can wedge a baby safely on a bench with towels so they cannot roll anywhere whilst you change.

So go in. Get baby settled. Change yourself. Change her. Go swim. Only stay for as long as she is happy which might be 10mins first time.

Get out, wrap both of you in towels to get snuggly. Back in the changing rooms have some milk or a breastfeed. I used to get DD dressed first then me.

Job done.

As you say once you have done it once it will be easy.

MrsSteptoe · 16/01/2014 11:41

I completely understand your anxiety. I had exactly the same problem with anxiety over the unfamiliar when DS was a baby, and I can still have it now, including over details like what do you do with the baby while you're changing.

Lots of good practical advice above, but just wanted to say that you're not alone in suffering anxiety.

curiousgeorgie · 16/01/2014 11:41

I've taken DD (and now DD2) since 12 weeks.

In the pool where they have lessons there are large cubicles with pull down changing mats..

I prep by already having DD in her swimsuit and swim nappy, with just a big coat on over the top. In the cubicle I put her on the mat ( strapped in) and get undressed and put everything into a big bag, then hold her with one arm, two towels over the arm...and put the bag and her coat into a locker.

When I get out I wrap her in a towel really tightly and go back to a cubicle and put her back on the changing mat (strapped in) in the towel, so she's cosy and safe, then step out to the locker (always get the closest one) and get our stuff. I get dressed and pack away everything but her stuff, then get her ready and back in a coat.

Sorry, that was long, but I used to worry too!

Original poster
Xfirefly · 16/01/2014 11:43

I've sent an email asking if they've got a changing table etc but I know there's no family changing just male and female.

DP is coming with me tomorrow so he could take her but I want to do it because I want to take her regular. my fondest childhood memories was going to the pool every Wednesday with DM and my nan and I want to do the same for her.

if I let the anxiety get the better of me then I wouldn't do anything.

OP posts:
IneedAsockamnesty · 16/01/2014 11:43

If its causing you so much stress why don't you do a planning visit just before you go.

Write down the things your concerned about and then look around in situ with the sole intention of solving the concern and planning for it.

Look for areas you would feel comfortable using your lap or a towel on the floor,have a look at those heated boxes that you put £1 in and they dry you (sounds odd but they can be handy whilst your getting to grips with stuff and gaining in confidence).

Things that feel impossible on one day the next can often be simple

Original poster
Xfirefly · 16/01/2014 11:49

I know after I've done it once I'll be better the next time. we're going on holiday next month to a holiday park and it has a big pool
and there is a big family changing area so I'm OK with this because I know the facilities are great. This leisure centre is old.

Im feeling much better now reading your tips.

OP posts:
soupmaker · 16/01/2014 11:59

I hope you've never forgotten pants like me perpendicular! Shock

MrsSteptoe · 16/01/2014 12:11

pixie genius. The old "travel to the exam venue the day before to check you know where you're going" trick, updated for a new challenge. Thank you! Thanks

PerpendicularVince · 16/01/2014 12:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OnTheBottomWithAWomansWeekly · 16/01/2014 12:17

Practical tip which I learnt through bitter experience - make sure baby's finger and toenails are nice and short - DD made me look like I'd been attached by a cat on our first visit! Mind you she was about 2 so you will probably be fine with a 4 month old.

Bring easy to eat snacks for yourself for afterwards as well - you'll be hungry and thirsty too.