Anxiety over 16 month old starting swimming lessons!

[elm26]

Swimming tips needed! Shamefully posting in AIBU for traffic.

My 16 month old starts swimming lessons tomorrow and I feel so anxious! Not about the pool but about everything before and after.

She’s not a massive fan of getting changed, having nappy done etc. so I need to obviously take her out of regular clothes, put swim nappy on and then her swimsuit which is one of those wetsuit type ones with another swim nappy built in, I’ll have my swimming costume on already with just a jumper and jeans or leggings over top. Then when we get out, I need to get her dry, put regular nappy and clothes on, then get myself dry and dressed and I just feel like it’s going to be stressful/a faff, she’ll probably try and run away/shout or scream when I’m trying to get her dry and dressed.

It’s not a leisure centre which I think would be easier as I feel like I’m going to try and rush to get out of the changing area ready for the next lot of children, it’s a private pool and I just feel in a tizz about it all.

In the bag I’ve packed:

Her swimsuit
2 x swim nappies
Underwear for me as wearing swimsuit there
Regular nappy
2 x towels

Is there any thing else I’ll need? Or any tips on how to make this easy?

Have a snack ready for as soon as you get in the changing room.

Sort her first -
costume off
Swim nappy off
Nappy on
Clothes on

Make life much easier on yourself and have a fluffy onesie to just shove her into. Give her the snack and leave her to it while you dress yourself.

Don't bother trying too hard to start with. Wear your easiest clothes and focus on being fit to walk in public then get home pdq and shower etc there.

After a few sessions you'll know what she (and you) can handle and then maybe you can plan other stuff but to start with get on and get out should be your motto.

Also get a poncho towel with a hood for her. Much simpler.

Take off her wet stuff and wrap in towel. Take off your wet stuff and wrap in towel so you don’t drip water on her while getting her dressed. Dress her and get snacks out as quickly as you can then get dressed yourself. Take easy to put on clothes and easy to take off swimsuit for both of you.

I've been taking DD1 swimming since she was 9months (now 3yo). Deffo put your swimming costume on at home. I just wear joggers and a hoody over the top. Don't forget to pack a pair of knickers for you! I never shower either me or DD at the pool - just quickly get her into something warm, get her home and we do proper bath and hair washing as soon as we get home. Snack and water bottle. I just keep the whole pack of swim nappies in the swim bag so you always have plenty. Poncho towels are great. The changing room might have a playpen that you can put her in whilst you get dressed (ours does). Everyone hates getting changed after swimming so I really wouldn't worry about rushing / the next group etc. Everyone just makes it work.

On swimming days, DD is always exhausted so plan for long naps (if its morning) or early bed if it's latish afternoon.

But most importantly, have fun! It was always my favourite class of the week and I'm quite sad that I don't get to go in with her anymore. Luckily I've just signed up DD2!

Snacks! But nothing that melts! And something that will take a few minutes to eat, possibly something that she doesn't normally get/a bit of a treat?

I disagree with previous poster. I always dryed and dressed myself first otherwise you drip all over then and if they're dressed, do a runner you might have to chase them whilst you're half naked.

Is there showers? I'd always let mine play in the shower a bit, get them naked. Then bundle up in a towel and plonk them on the bench whilst I sorted myself. They were generally tired/ watching everyone/ absorbing the change in environment. So I had 5 mins to sort myself then deal with them. Also always a snack as they can be famished afterwards.

If you feel it's too rushed please be aware that at 16 months your baby really isn't going to learn to swim and they'll benefit just as much by just going in a swimming pool with you from time to time.

Hopefully you're there to enjoy the social aspects of it but please don't get stressed by it.

Make sure both of you wear comfortable clothing that are easy to put on after swimming. Take off swimming nappy and wrap your toddler up in a towel and give a snack. She’ll probably be quite distracted with looking at the other parents and children while you get yourself dressed first. Maybe bring another small towel, she can sit on. Don’t worry if your toddler cries, there is always going to be one unhappy after swimming. Next time, it will be another toddler! Have fun and enjoy!

You could just take her in your own time to a pool with slope or toddler area or family swim time to practice first before going to lessons as she is so young.
Save your money go in your own time for some weeks first and practice getting dressed etc
When you worked it out thru experience book lessons

Change her first after coming out. I made the mistake of leaving her run about while I got dressed then I got absolutely soaked from her soaking wetsuit and towel and hair.

If taking a babygrow to quickly get her into (without leggings sticking to her legs or a fussy outfit with various layers), try one without feet or they’ll get wet and can be a source of misery for them! 🤦‍♀️

I agree with just have a shower/bath when you get home. I never feel fully clean after it at the pool anyway.

The first was stressful for me but I quickly got the knack and it’s easy now so don’t let tomorrow put you off. It’s worth it, seeing them in the pool.