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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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

OP posts:

carefreeeee · 22/09/2016 17:35

Sounds ok to me but if not then 4 weeks isn't that long to wait till the baby can go in the creche

WellErrr · 22/09/2016 17:52

I've done this loads.

Feed baby before you get in, they're asleep in the same room as you and you can hear and get to them at all times.

As long as the pool is quiet it's absolutely fine. I sometimes used to take DS swimming after aqua aerobics and there'd usually be a granny or 6 happy to sit next to a sleeping baby anyway.

Blueskyrain · 22/09/2016 17:54

Providing the pool is reasonably quiet, I really don't see the issue here.

Rumtopf · 22/09/2016 17:58

Ask the club.

When dd was newborn (nearly 14 years ago) I would take her in in her car seat and pop the car seat down in a travel cot they had positioned to one side near the loungers and other seating. She was fast asleep, post feed, and it meant I could enjoy a proper swim. This was at a country club type place too.

redisthenewblack · 22/09/2016 17:59

My DP is a lifeguard and he regularly has to tell swimmers they can't do this.
It's more about if you got into some difficulty. Who would then be responsible for the child/ren?

RitchyBestingFace · 22/09/2016 18:02

It doesn't really matter whether we say it's reasonable or not. It's whether the pool will allow it. I think it's unlikely a pool will allow an unattended baby at poolside given the protocols they will have to follow from their insurance company, etc.

PrincessLuna · 22/09/2016 21:27

Redisgnewblack: Surely if you get in some difficulty in the pool it's better if the baby isn't in the pool with you!

foreverandalways · 22/09/2016 21:32

I cannot believe that you are seriously, actually asking the question!! Water is the most dangerous of all...accidents happen so easily and I am sure that you would not forgive yourself...surely a swim for yourself at that time is not that important!!

powershowerforanhour · 22/09/2016 22:02

I'd be very nervous about having a 3yo in a float jacket plus a baby in a swim float under my care without another adult helping me. I think carrycot by the loungers (not pushchair) or creche would be safer options than that.

fiorentina · 22/09/2016 22:11

I've seen people do this at my gym and I don't see the issue. Tiny sleeping baby in a secure place, you leave the pool if they cry? I don't see the issue. Creche wouldn't take babies until after jabs I don't think.

LyndaNotLinda · 22/09/2016 22:27

Are you sure it's a good idea to be in the swampy soup that is a public swimming pool when you're less than 4 weeks post-partum? I thought you had to be 6 weeks pp?

If the gym has a creche, I can't see why they would let you take the baby to the pool. That's the whole point of the creche surely?

AldrinJustice · 22/09/2016 22:31

Not so much unreasonable but dangerous more than anything else? As PPs have said, what if you got into difficulty, or your child who is swimming and at that same time your newborn wakes up. I would have someone watch the newborn for peace of mind. Also I would hate being wet from the pool and having to hold newborn if it did wake up and needed attention

ProudAS · 22/09/2016 22:33

A crowded 10 by 25 metre pool no!

A 5 by 10 metre pool with not many people and a suitable place on poolside for baby to be nearby but not in danger of getting knocked in is different.

Still think crèche would be the best option though. Those four weeks will soon pass.

Asuitablemum · 22/09/2016 22:36

I think it's fine.

CoffeeAtLukes · 22/09/2016 22:40

No no no!

You're swimming with your head down at the other end of the pool? That's an unsupervised baby next to a body of water!

MrsMook · 22/09/2016 22:43

My council pool runs a "bring baby" lane swim for mothers with babies under 10m in car seats. They advise that the poolside is warm and humid.

Like many others at our swimming lessons, DS2 came in the car seat while DS1 had his swimming lesson. When he got a bit bigger, he sat in the play pen. When DS1 was 3, he began sitting poolside during DS2's lesson. There was a stint where their lessons were back to back, so I spent an hour in the pool and swapped children on the change over. I was within pool age ratio of one adult to two under 7s. DS was near the instructor and I was always within a close distance. He's a sensible child and understood the concept that they took turns to have a swim, and sat nicely with his toys until his turn.

Ask at the pool. If there's sufficient space, the risks to an appropriately dressed baby are low. They're not mobile enough to get into many difficulties. They're within earshot if they're not happy about anything. I can remember getting out once to feed DS2, and DS1 came out with me. That was typically a photo session which is why the memory stuck, and I can't remember any more.

Avok · 22/09/2016 22:45

Do people realise that babies can't walk? Or just me?

Ameliablue · 22/09/2016 22:53

Sounds like a bad idea to me.

VerbenaGirl · 22/09/2016 22:54

Ask them, and then at least you know if it is an option?

Eva50 · 22/09/2016 22:57

I think it's fine.

WittyPutDown · 22/09/2016 22:59

I don't see any problem with it at all as it's a small pool and not too busy.

Verticalvenetianblinds · 22/09/2016 23:00

i do this all the time, i time my swims with 15month olds sleep. he sleeps in car seat or pushchair. its a private health club and ive never had anything except 'arent you lucky to get a swim on your own!'

Temporaryanonymity · 22/09/2016 23:02

I really can't see the problem tbh so long as it is a small quiet pool. In a large, busy public pool not so much.

Wondermoomin · 22/09/2016 23:08

I put my young baby in a car seat whilst in the water with my toddler during lessons at a private pool. The biggest problem was the temperature - it feels fine if you're in the water, but spectators get extremely hot, and even stripped off to a vest the baby overheated. I ended up getting childcare for subsequent lessons - either someone who would come with me and take care of her, or a childminder whom I left her with while I went to the classes.

minipie · 22/09/2016 23:10

I think if it was just baby in carrycot and you in the pool then it would be ok.

Once you add in 3yo DS I think it becomes too risky. Actually I think your Ds is more at risk in this scenario than your newborn.

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