How to take a toddler swimming? tips please

[Andcake]

I have finally bitten the bullet and booked swimming for my 21 month old. A bit scared TBH - so talk to me about practicalities and tips. He is boisterous - does holding hands occasionally - when is it best o put swim nappies on there - what is the best method for getting oneself and toddler dry or into swim gear! We live 5 mins from the pool so happy to go with my suit on underneath etc

It isn't that bad. You'll be one on one.

Basically swim nappy etc on under clothes. When you arrive check change for the lockers! Find a good sized cubicle and get changed. I find it easier if I have something to distract my DC while I pack up eg a little toy. Then chuck stuff in locker - I take a hooded towel pool side with me.

Getting out and showered is harder. So get DC out, head for shower. Rinse then wrap in towel, get stuff from locker and get to changing room. Plop spare towel on floor, wrap DC up in another towel to keep extra warm and give them a snack while I get dressed. Then get them dressed. Job done.

As you live so close to the pool, I wouldn't bother showering there (or at least nothing more than a quick rinse. You may want to take him home in just a towelling cover-up (boden do boys ones) - whatever shoes go on easily without socks. I'd wear clothes that can be thrown on faster than a child could eat a snack!

Thanks - is it essential to do the two nappy thing on the first visit!
Also and I am going to call the leisure centre to check but do you park buggy outside change rooms or wheel them in and out - guess it depends. Ds is v good at moving with snacks but a box of raisins might work. Agree a a quick rinse before washing properly at home!

Don't put swim nappy on under clothes, if he does a wee he'll be spake through.

Get him changed first gate and then bribe with food while you get ready.

with a swim nappy, wee comes straight thru

Go in - Change yourself then baby

Coming out - Get baby dried, warm and dressed FIRST then sort yourself out.

Snacks, toys, etc are a good idea.

Some swimming pool changing rooms have a chair with straps where you can sit your baby, or you could maybe put them in the pram?

Towelling dressing gown for my marauding toddler while I sort DD and myself out. Then he's already dry for me to catch him and shove his clothes on before he destroys the place (or my last vestiges of sanity).

He likes climbing into the lockers. Terrifies me, but maybe it would be a useful place to keep him...

You'll be fine

I've been taking my 21mo since she was 2mo and we're in and out in a flash now

At our pool there are 2 large family cubicles that will fit the pram in so I try and nab one of those, she stays in the buggy whilst I quickly get ready, then I get her ready. We use reusable nappies but I believe the disposables aren't that absorbent so I wouldn't put him in that until you get there. If we can only get a small cubicle she just comes out of the pram and in with me. Then the pram goes in the buggy room, our stuff in the locker apart from our towels which I take poolside and we get in

Afterwards I don't usually shower as dd2 isn't keen on the showers. I get out, wrap her up in her towel (taking her wetsuit off first so it doesn't soak the towel), wrap my towel around me (still in my costume ) and then get her dressed first. Everything on except her shoes and socks whilst I get dressed. Then back in the pram and home, easy

It is much easier with a baby who can stand as you don't need to put them anywhere. Our pool has loads of changing units with straps that helps, or when dd1 was a baby and they didn't I used to put her in her car seat which fitted into the smaller cubicles whilst I got dressed.

Went swimming with my toddler (22months) today. It's not that bad once you're there and doing it.

Definitely wear your swimming costume under your clothes but get your DS into nappy and changed when you are there. Like PP said, if he wees in swimming nappy he'll soak through. Try and get a family cubicle so lots of space and you can lock him in the cubicle...otherwise he'll be off hiding in lockers before you know it!

Personally I find it helpful to put my clothes in one plastic bag and my DD's clothes in another plastic bag so I'm not faffing around trying to find things when I get out and try to get dressed. In fact, I just try and have everything in bags so that when you are getting out you can just grab them out of the locker and take to the cubicle. Don't have loose stuff in the locker...it just makes it harder when you get out! I take towels with me and put somewhere near the pool.

When you get out, strip him off down to nappy, wrap in towel so he's warm and find a nice big cubicle. Sit him on the floor with a drink or snack or something to keep him happy. Get yourself changed first...otherwise, you'll be trying to get him dried and dressed but you'll be dripping all over him and making it much harder for yourself! Once you are dressed, you sort him out.

Enjoy!

Tip. If the family changing rooms aren't free try the group change. Then you'll have enough space to manoeuvre and benches to put your things on.

I've been circulating 4 different pools with my 9mo. All have family change. Some can be colder than others but for a 21mo it'll be fine.