Organising for a first swimming session...

[BillieBanger]

Hello

I would love some advice before I take my 5 month old swimming for the first time.

Things like is it best to put her swim cosy on at home under her clothes, what things to take other than the obvious towel, smellies etc.

Can you take your pram in to the pool, or do you have to carry them in the car seat or just in your arms?

Can you shower with your baby or is it best to just dry them and do it properly when you get home?

Any little bits of advice to make it as stress free as possible.

Thank you

Thinking back....if you have a small padded changing mat (the type that folds), take that, because you may have to change her on the floor or slatted bench. Two towels, one to lay on, one on top for drying her.

Chnage yourself first going in, her first coming out. Take a towel large enough to tie round yourself or you'll drip all over her and get cold while you dry her off.

Take the car seat, and she has somewhere dry and safe to sit while you get changed.

If you're going regularly try and get a neoprene swim nappy. Nothing escapes.

I wouldn't shower there, just because the temperature is so variable, but a rinse off afterwards is a good idea.

Enjoy it!

Depends on your pool and the facilities I think.

Try it once and then you'll be able to see what you need, ie car seat etc. I doubt you'd be able to take your pram pool side anywhere though.

I would, personally, change your LO pool side at the beginning and end of your swim ( tends to be warmer there than walking back into the change rooms), have your car seat with you so you can then pop baby in there whilst you shower. I tend to bath my LO at home afterwards at the moment but as he gets older I will prob shower with him.

Enjoy it. Tis lovely swimming with your baby.

I shower with babe there, rest depends on your pool. 20 minutes is max. you might expect her to last for first outing. Big soft towel to get her warm quickly afterwards.

Exactly what nobiggy said! Swim nappies aren't very absorbent so wouldn't put that on with costume at home.

Thank you for the tips NoBiggy. I can't wait to go but have been avoiding it because of the stress of it all. Hopefully it will be a breeze.

Take a few small towels rather than one big one in case she wees all over the first set while changing her.

The main thing is being able to hold her safely and make sure she doesn't get too cold. Everything else is just details.

At 5 months you will want something to entertain/soothe her while you get dressed, so fix a toy onto the carseat or whatever you're using to put her in after she's dressed. Or if you use a dummy take it for after [clueless about dummies really]

thank you so much everyone, I can't believe how quick everyone is to respond on this site. Can you tell it's my first time here!? (-:

also if possible make sure you have a warm bottle (if FF) or give her a breastfeed once she's changed after. My DD started at 9mo and was always STARVING after, as well as tired.

Some pools have family changing rooms with little seats that you can pop them into (with a strap to secure) while you change yourself. If you're on your own with her I've always found other mums and dads more than willing to help

Make sure that you are very organised with your change bag - i.e. all her stuff at the top for easy access, yours at the bottom.

Bear in mind that she might take a while to acclimatise - pool big and loud and unfamiliar from baby's pov.

FWIW dd loved it immediately, but hates getting cold