Baby swimming class next week

[Doireallyneedaname]

After much back and forth I’ve booked my 13 month old in for a baby swim class next week. Obviously it’s an indoor pool.

Suddenly I’m feeling nervous. I know babies are generally low risk but I’d rather he didn’t catch it.

Cases in our area are low, around 40 last week. Still, I’m worried.

I’ve never attended anything like this with a baby before so no idea what to expect. Has anyone else booked in?

We are returning to our lessons next week and I can’t wait! Our swim school (huge national franchise) operates out of lots of pools and they have specific instructions for each pool based on the layout of changing rooms etc. They may have already told you this, but go in your swimsuit so you just have to whip your clothes off and you’re ready and just need to get baby ready. I also take clothes for us both that are easy to throw on, so we dry off, Chuck our joggers, jumper and flip flops on and leg it to the car! We also have to wear masks until we get in the pool so a spare nappy bag to put your mask in while you swim is handy.

I've booked in for swimming and all our usual baby/toddler groups for my 1 year old and 2 year old, I can't wait! We have had guidelines from the swim school re changing and distancing to minimise risk. Personally I don't feel it's a very risky activity but my kids do also go to nursery so I suppose it comes down to what you're comparing it with!

I hope you like it and once you get there all your worries are put to rest and you can enjoy a bit of normality with your little one!

Yep we’re returning. So excited! Just make sure you prepare beforehand with everything ready in your bag so you’re not rushing around, you may it have had to get you and baby ready and out for a set time for a while!

I dress him in his swimsuit at home and chuck a onesie over the top to just undress him there, and take the car seat in so once he’s dressed after I can strap him in somewhere safe and get ready myself. It’s impossible without a way to contain them afterwards imo, I’d end up driving home in my wet bikini under my clothes cos I couldn’t dry myself and get dressed while trying to avoid him slipping on the wet floor.

Have fun, it’ll be great for you but even more importantly amazing for baby to do something new and exciting around other people. If you feel nervous allow yourself to experience the emotions but make sure you go anyway, just keep reminding yourself it’s for baby.

Don't put the swim nappy on until you get to the pool, they are poo catchers and not absorbent as I found out the hard way...

We are back swimming & gymnastics (elder child) 🥳 I’m SO excited. But then, my babies been in nursery since 10 months & my 3 year old has been in nursery solidly since June 2020 .. so it doesn’t feel remotely concerning to go back to activities.

Swimming is fab but can be a bit faffy. As PP, swim nappies are not very absorbent for wee’s! They just catch poos! Have your cossie on so you can quickly get undressed.. you can shower after with baba if you want, my youngest thinks showers are really funny! My eldest hated them so play it by ear! Make sure your bag is packed in advance & leave plenty of time! Have fun!

@idontlikealdi thanks for this, I was looking at hers the other day and wondering how it was meant to keep her dry?! Makes more sense now :D

Enjoy every minute op, try not to worry about Covid honestly there is so much chlorine in the pool it is a really really low risk activity

Thanks everyone

Yes, our toddler's classes resume this week and I'm so happy for her. She loves it and I'm sure your DC will too. She has been during covid times when they were allowed to be open and it was all fine. We've never been a risk-averse family though anyway as none of us are high-risk and DH is a front-line NHS worker so the highest risk of catching covid was always going to be from his work than anywhere else.

Ugh I HATED baby swimming class. But I wouldn't be worried about covid. Pools are unlikely places to catch it.

Most babies are very tired and hungry and thirsty after swimming so take a drink and snack. They often don't enjoy changing as it can be cold.

Take plenty of towels and hand gel, and for yourself don't expect to get a proper shower, and take shortcuts eg don't bother with socks, wear slip on trainers and clothes that pull on quickly and easily, skip deodorant, take a beanie hat and pull it on wet hair as you won't have time to dry it properly.

I am looking forward to getting my 2yo back to activities. She’s oblivious to what she’s missed out on compared to my eldest but I worry she’s a bit behind compared to her sister. I think they learn so much from having to follow instructions from a teacher for activities and if your child takes to swimming (not all do) it’ll provide a lot of pleasure.

I couldn't be bothered with baby swimming as I don't believe they can learn to swim at that age and they're so expensive.
However my daughter is 13 months and I have booked to take her and my 4 year old next week.

When my eldest was a baby we bought a really good neoprene mat thing to put on the floor when I changed her. Kept her dry and didn't have to put her on the cold hard slippery floor or bench. I would also recommend reusable swim nappies as the disposable ones are a rip off considering they're only worn for 45 minutes.