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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave baby in pushchair, at the side of the pool, while I go swimming?

220 replies

Zootopia · 22/09/2016 16:05

Hi, not sure if this would be unreasonable or not.

I have a son who has swimming lessons. It's at a country club, so you need a membership card to even have any kind of access to the pool and it's pretty small in there. Just some nice seating around the sides. I have a newborn baby who I'd rather not take swimming when DS is there as I like to focus on just him in the water (he is 3) and he is encouraged not to use floats, as he can swim underwater, but we're just getting him to do it on top, so not an option for the time being. Also, I'd just rather wait until I do baby classes.

Would I be unreasonable to leave baby in pushchair (asleep) while I go into the pool with DS? It's not mother and toddler classes, it's just him and a couple of other children but I can still use the swim lanes and would be nice to swim. Also, he likes to have a free swim before lessons start.

Thanks Smile

OP posts:
user1473282350 · 22/09/2016 16:23

I would worry that other people's over-excited children would rush past screaming and frighten the baby (sound echoes horribly in swimming baths), or worse, knock the pushchair/carrycot in.

This. Happened a few years ago to me. Nobody realised and I suddenly saw the pushchair at the bottom of the pool whilst swimming across the pool

The toddler was thankfully fine. It happened so, so quickly. And it is not easy to unbuckle clips underwater (particularly when you are not familiar with the clips).

I feel really strongly that children need to be supervised 100% poolside. There is no other alternative but to have them close to you and in your line of sight at all times.

gigglingHyena · 22/09/2016 16:24

It's always fairly busy round the edge of my local pool, kids getting out to jump in etc, so not something i would feel safe doing.

You might also have to check the ratios, i know quite a few pools where you need 1 adult per child for young children. I suspect that would still apply even if you don't intend taking both children into the pool.

blueturtle6 · 22/09/2016 16:25

One hotel we recently stayed at had a playpen to the side of the pool, thought was an excellent idea, id check with lifeguard first.

fukkigucci · 22/09/2016 16:28

I did it. I checked with the pool manager first and she said it was fine. I'd leave dd in her car seat next to the pool. And then I'd have a 20/30 minute swim. It was great! I'd check her every couple of laps but she almost always slept the whole time. Sometimes when my 4 year old was having a swimming lesson I'd do the same thing.
Dd is now 11 months, and I think too old to just doze off in her seat

fukkigucci · 22/09/2016 16:29

Just want to add, the pool was always very quiet, maybe 5 or 6 people there at the times I went.

TheBestNamesAreTaken · 22/09/2016 16:36

My gym didn't allow me to have baby DD in her car seat at the poolside, whilst I was also at the poolside watching oldest DD in a lesson. They were concerned about overheating in the car seat between the padding, clothing & heated pool environment.

TwigletsMakeMeViolent · 22/09/2016 16:38

I think it's fine, so long as it's a quiet pool and you can easily keep an eye on the pushchair.

Strokethefurrywall · 22/09/2016 16:42

I used to do this with DS2 when he was newborn and DS1 was having his lessons on Saturday morning. From about 2 weeks when I could get back in the water with DS1.

Different country though so I guess different rules apply, the baby was in his car seat and slept through.

Wouldn't have bothered me in the slightest.

QueenArseClangers · 22/09/2016 16:43

On a totally different thing I'm jealous that you're obviously not still bleeding after the birth (you mentioned baby was

1busybee · 22/09/2016 16:52

I used to lifeguard.....many moons ago and people used to bring small sleeping babies onto poolside and t them in car seats either against the wall on the floor or in a playpen. Most of the time the baby just slept, some woke up and played with a toy attached to the seat and if they cried the parent got out of the pool, with sibling and got changed early. It was no big deal. I'd ask at the pool OP.

Lunde · 22/09/2016 16:54

I was allowed to bring DD2 in a baby carry-carseat to the edge of the pool at the physio pool when I was having treatment for SPD

skyyequake · 22/09/2016 16:54

I second PP who say do you have a friend who could watch the baby for you? So baby would be in the same room as you, but still actively supervised by another adult? Maybe if you're friends with a parent at the swim class who doesn't go in the pool? Or a family member who's free?

OneEpisode · 22/09/2016 16:54

I remember midwife led swimming sessions. Babies in a row in car seats for the first part, then babies in the pool for the next part.
This was a quiet pool where babies could be seen and heard by own parent, not a big busy one with long lanes. Lots of pp are imagining the big version...

hownottofuckup · 22/09/2016 16:57

That's what most people do at our club, once the babies settled/asleep pop them in the buggy or car seat and have a swim.

Evergreen17 · 22/09/2016 16:59

I wouldnt!
It an be pushed and fall in the pull. No. Please don't.
I had to witness a friend's baby being pretty much brought back to life after falling in a pool.
Dont.

jennymac · 22/09/2016 16:59

I think I would try it and see how you go. If you were doing it at a time when the baby would normally be having a nap then it would probably be fine.

MrsDeVere · 22/09/2016 16:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Zootopia · 22/09/2016 17:03

There is lots of room around the sides and a bit where people sit, so could leave car seat /carry cot on a lounger. It's a small pool. I have sent an email to ask Smile

OP posts:
Obsidian77 · 22/09/2016 17:06

I think you're being optimistic in hoping your DD will sleep nicely through the lesson. Seems a bit unfair to your DS if you have to drag him out of the pool because the baby is screaming. From a safety perspective I wouldn't feel comfy about watching them both. but you're very brave for appearing in swimwear so soon post-partum

Original poster
Zootopia · 22/09/2016 17:09

Optimistic maybe Grin however, she sleeps for long periods, if it's the right time, without waking.

Oh, about the bleeding, yes, I'm all good to go. As for the swimwear Blush erm, not great Grin but hope people would notice the baby Grin

OP posts:
Evergreen17 · 22/09/2016 17:09

Oh gosh!!! Awful typing BlushIt can be pushed and fall in the pool.

itsmine · 22/09/2016 17:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Strokethefurrywall · 22/09/2016 17:11

Just as an aside OP, I used to feed DS2 right before we left to go swimming, he'd fall asleep in the car and sleep through the session so if you can time a feed right beforehand it will help.

The only reason I stopped bringing him was that by 10-11 weeks, he wanted to sit up more and see what was going on, and was more likely to shout for attention. At 2-8 weeks he did nothing but pretty much sleep!

DoNotBlameMeIVotedRemain · 22/09/2016 17:27

Get 3 year old a float jacket ( my two didn't use them for lessons but invaluable for leisure swimming) and take baby in a swim float suitable from birth. You won't be able to lane swim but both kids will be able to enjoy the pool. Then use crèche for lane swimming or go in evening if you have a DP. If you feed a breastfed baby first the can manage without you for a enough time to swim.

Obsidian77 · 22/09/2016 17:33

I suppose your DS's lessons are pretty short so if DD is a good sleeper you'll be fine. Smile

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