Taking 7 week old swimming

[Fibilou]

I have a few questions:

Do I need one of those body warmer things (pool has a baby pool "like a bath" apparently)

Do I need a nappy inside the swim nappy ?

Can I use one of those mothercare float thingies so young ?

All tips gratefully received -DD loves the water so hopefully will enjoy swimming

Has she had her immunisations? Especially polio? and check the advice for when you can swim after the immunisations - is the polio a live virus?

A lot of pools ask for swim nappies - you can get washable ones to re-use. Its to contain solids in case of accidents.

Hope she enjoys it!

She is having jabs next Tuesday and we won't be swimming until the 2nd week of April - but HV said immunisations aren't necessary before taking baby swimming anyway

Nope you don't need baby to be jabbed before swimming. Go have fun, the only thing we found was that they got cold quite quickly.

No need for nappy inside swim nappy
No need for vaccinations before hand
We first took DD when she was 10 weeks - put her in swim nappy and swimming costume (only because someone had bought us one - prob wouldn't have bothered otherwise)
I just held her and let her kick on her front and back
We only kept her in for about 20 mins max - she loved it but didn't want to push it.

Getting changed before and after is the tricky part - are you going with anyone else?

Def have swim nappy (disposable) inside costume or trunks - almost every time we took ds swimming he would have a poo, and as soon as the water hits it it goes everywhere - if he hadnt have had a disposable on to "contain" it, then it would have been an evacuate pool job.

No need for injections

Best thing to take them in is one of those fleecy sleepsuits - you can pick them up really cheaply in Primark etc. easy to get them changed, and when you come out it takes a minute to strip them, clean nappy on and zip up fleecy suit - then they are nice and toasty while you get ready.

If your pool will allow it take car seat with you also, as it means you have somewhere to put baby.

Just read mine back and just to be clear - swimming nappy essential - swimming costume / trunks - non essential (but most wear them which surprised me!)

Yes - those fleecy suit are excellent

Be prepared for the fact that by the time you have got baby dressed and sorted you will be dry yourself without needing a towel!

Thought you were crazy very brave for taking baby without swim nappy MrsJ

Gawd no - imagine the carnage!

Although what is the deal with the sea? The majority of my baby photos seem to be of me naked at the beach!

no idea, tbh every time we have taken ds abroad the majority of european babies only have wee trunk/costume/nothing on in pool

I would wait for baby to have at least the first set of immunisations.

I took my charge swimming from 10 weeks. Our local pool has a training pool where they put the water temp up to bathwater temperature and it's LOVELY. We can stay in 20-40 minutes depending on how she is that day, she loves swimming (and I love it too as she naps for 2+ hours afterwards )

Oh and definitely wear a swim diaper... no need for a cossie. Recommend a fleecy or towelling zip through cardie or sleepsuit for afterwards.

Check with the pool with regards nappies. My local, council run one is really not bothered but the posher one my friend takes her little girl to insists on 2 nappies - disposable inside a tighter thing.

I've never used a body warmer for DS. He's always been a chunky little thing though! When he was little, we just got out if he started to look chilly.

Brilliant idea about fleecy suits, wish I'd thought of that! I used to take a dressing gown for myself when DS was tiny so I didn't get too cold while drying and dressing him.

I'm still confused with the nappy issue - I've got wht Boots describe as a "swim nappy" which looks a bit like a bikini bottom with an inner (bit like the bambino mio). Do I need a disposable swim nappy like the huggies as well, inside it ?

I'm not convinced by the "swim nappy" that it would contain my bf baby's poo !!

Fibilou, I have one of those and also use a swim nappy inside.