to take my baby swimming?

[SoyaSoy]

My DS is 7 weeks.

I LOVE swimming and want to take him next week.

DH says I should wait until he's 1 because he's 'too small' and 'no point In taking him now' - he thinks it is dangerous. He has no evidence to back this up but really doesn't want me going.

I'm a strong swimmer and would only be in the baby pool...

Anyone take their babies swimming and get on fine?

If so, any tips?

Thanks.

I didn’t but know lots who have. There are dedicated baby sessions in many pools.

I waited a few months with DD more because I wasn't organised enough, no need for a year. The only thing I can think of is I've heard little babies need a wetsuit for warmth. I'd go for it.

We started Waterbabies at 7 weeks! DD1 is 5 and still loves the water

Your DH IBU!

I took my little boy swimming from about 6 weeks, he loved it and still does. It’s not like you are going white water rafting! Enjoy the swimming with your babe and tell DH to shush x

Thanks all.

I am a bit nervous to take him. Though pretending to be extremely confident in front of DH!

Does anyone have any tips?
Are the swim nappies good?
He's a 'tiny baby' so no wetsuits to fit.

I’d go in an extra warm pool but probably not in a normal leisure centre one with a dc that small. Simply because it’s bloody freezing atm, if dc is cold before he even goes in he won’t enjoy it, you’ll be in for about 5 minutes and it will just be stressful.

You might find that you're not there very long. DD nodded off in the water the first time we took her swimming, after about 15 minutes, and she was never the nodding off type :)

I don't think you can start them too early. They have been in fluid for most of their existence after all. Just make sure she doesn't get too cold, and bring a hooded towel.out to the poolside. Also I highly recommend a Happy Nappy over a disposable. Poo leaks from a disposable on its own. Trust me. I know.

Took DD from 9 weeks and D's from 5 weeks. Both love the water. It's a lovely bonding experience when they get used to it. We went to baby swimming sessions but no need to book these if you don't fancy. Best tips think about the warmth. Mine only got upset if cold. So if pool 30 degrees or colder then consider investing in a baby warms type wrap to keep LO cosy. Otherwise try and find a local hydrotherapy pool you could use or a pool that is heated. Take 2 towels for baby. One to wrap up in straight from pool to keep warm and the other for drying once getting ready. A travel change mat would be good as some facilities don't have benches or changing tables. I had a neoprene cover to go on travel mat so we could always use floor and baby was safe and protected.

Enjoy. Hope bubs loves the water.

We started DD at 8 weeks. She’s nearly 4 and loves swimming.

Get him a wetsuit and be prepared to stay for only 20 minutes or so- many babies like swimming pools but they get cold quickly.

Use a swim nappy with a happy nappy over the top.

YANBU. I took DS from 6 weeks. He’s 10 weeks now and absolutely loves it. It’s great for both of us. Why on earth would he be too small or it be ‘dangerous’ (anything specific?!) before 1? Of course there’s a point - It’s fun and spending time together. Plus getting him confident in the water now is very helpful for future swimming lessons. Go for it.

I took DD from 12 weeks as that was the minimum age for the classes at the leisure centre and I didn't really get my act together to go alone earlier than that. With DS I was too daunted to take him much earlier than a year and he took ages to get used to it whereas DD has always loved it. Definitely get a little wetsuit for warmth (the ones with loads of Velcro bits are good!) but I would totally go now, it's a lovely thing to do.

Oh yes tips. Use a wrap/baby wetsuit if the pool is a bit cold and don’t expect more than 20mins or so. When getting out I get DS changed then put him in the car seat while I get changed or I feed him then do that if he needs it.

Look to see if there is a hydrotherapy pool near you that do sessions. My niece has been swimming weekly from 6 weeks old. She absolutely loves it. The hydrotherapy pools are a bit warmer normally. The one we go to is like a mild bath. It’s lovely. Top tips:

1. have something warm to wrap either you or baby in when you get out. Eg large towel or we take a mini dressing gown for niece whilst we get sorted.

2. leave towel etc out of bag so you’re not having to rummage round wet.

3. have food/bottle/boob ready to go after they will be hungry and you will be too.

4. don’t worry if you only stay in 15 mins the first time it’s totally normal

5. have a look at the inflatable seat type things. We have one for niece and she loves it and is perfectly safe. Also get a little work our swimming and pushing her along.

Ignore DH he will be jealous when he realises what a fab time you have both had and will soon want to come along!

Took DD as soon as she'd had her first set of jabs done.

Theyre only in there for 30nins but its a nice thing to do together. Your DH is being a little ott

If they go from when they're little, they get used to the water and if they go regularly then they don't develop a fear of the water.

There are lots of dedicated baby swimming lessons so take a look at these.

You need two nappies - disposable swim nappies on the bottom then a wet suit or other nappy on top (happy nappy type thing).

At that age it's just about getting them used to the water and having fun. Don't use armbands or anything just hold them, splash them and sing songs and take a couple of toys like a rubber duck or watering can.

If I was you I'd consider doing a term or half term at proper lessons as there are various 'holds' that are both safe and encourage the baby to kick independently. Or even a taster session as lots of people do them. That will give you an idea of what to do.

The main thing is finding a warm pool - look at where lessons are held or for advice on warm pools on parents facebook pages

I took mine from about 4 months and it did seem to calm them and I'd say they really started to enjoy it from around 7 months.

I do think it's a bit difficult in the first 12 weeks only because they're always sleeping or eating and don't really have the attention span for how long it takes to get them changed and dry. It's easier when they are in a routine so you know when their best time of day is for them

I'd maybe run a really deep bath and hold them in that and see how they get on as to whether they would like it

I took DD at 8 weeks but to swimming lessons in a hydrotherapy pool so it was warmer than a normal pool. DD wears a swim nappy with a happy nappy over the top

Has your dh ever been in a public swimming pool? There's lots of tiny babies in there, it's a perfectly normal thing to do.

I took my DD when she was just 5 weeks and she absolutely loved it. I have taken her every week since. I bob her about for 30 minutes (sometimes she falls asleep on me) but she smiles and gurgles every time.

I’ve also enrolled her onto baby splash in the new year. Go for it!

We've done water babies from 4 weeks. DS loves it

Both my babies swam as soon as they could (jabs etc) they are both strong swimmers and were were completely at home in the water from the start. When I was pregnant, being in water was my great relief.

I wish we could afford water babies! It looks great.

Can't believe how expensive the happy nappies are though :( I can get a bikini or swimsuit for myself cheaper!

I was told to wait until DS was 12lb as our local pool is 30 degrees (they can swim from younger if the pool is warmer, I.e. hydrotherapy pool etc).. He's a big lad so this was around 11 weeks. Most baby swim classes require a double nappy approach - 1 x disposable or reusable swim nappy plus an overnappy (the brand Splash About do one called a Happy Nappy). Then on top of that you need a thermal wrap to keep them warm.

Took ds1 for swim lessons when he was about 4mo. Bit of a waste of money but gave me confidence with him in the water. I'd just say if you are recovered from birth and dc has had their immunisations you are fine.
Swim nappies are available in supermarket or boots. Then you need a happy nappy. Can also get a neoprene wetsuit wrap from Splash About or similar. Check eBay.
We have a couple of pools in our city which are warmed up for part of the week for baby and elderly sessions. Also hotel pools can be warmer.
Ds2 was in the pool from about 7weeks when he'd had his immunisations.
Both loved the water but hat being dunked under. Also they get cold in normal temp pools until they were old enough to swim themselves.
Have fun.