Swimming Lesson at 4:30

[Ozanj]

Hi,
DS will have a swimming lesson at 4:30. He finishes school at 3.

We’ve been told they shouldn’t eat less than an 90mins before the lesson - but he’s only 4 and so can’t wait. Would a small sandwich etc about an hour beforehand be okay?

He has an afterschool club straight afterwards but can eat there so I can pack a lunch for after.

I had a swimming pool growing up and we were in and out, eating, sometimes eating IN the pool, all through the summer, I don't understand why it would matter?

I think it's because eating a heavy meal before swimming can cause cramps. I'm sure a small sandwich would be fine though!

yeh that not eating before swimming is bobbins.

Plus at 4yo he is hardly going to be powering up and down the pool is he? I would give him something light - banana, cereal bar, carrot sticks, cheese for protein - when he comes out of school.

You’re overthinking

give him a sandwich after school and then more to eat after the swimming

absolutely fine to eat between school and swim lesson. Snack to keep them going, something once they've finished and then dinner once home

The whole cramp thing has been debunked.

Pools prefer children not to eat beforehand, to avoid toilet accidents, but you'll know if that's likely to be a issue for your child better than they will.

It's fine to eat before swimming. I swam this morning and had a bowl of porridge beforehand and I didn't sink

Minw had 30 mins between school and swimming at one point and had a snack!

I think a snack 30 mins before swimming is fine and actually ideal so your kid has some energy to swim and isn't distracted by hunger.

However, when my DD was learning to swim she had a habit of swallowing lots of water and puking in the pool! So we had to really restrict food before swimming for that reason. Thankfully that phase is over 😅

Never occurred to me that this would be an issue, DD has swimming lessons at 4.30 and often has a snack in the cafe before she goes in

I hate to eat anything less than an hour before exercise as it makes me feel sick, always has. If your son feels this way just give him a light snack like a sandwich before swimming.

If he doesn't, then just feed him what you normally would.

I don't think it's related to the child having cramps, rather the child vomiting in the pool (and having to evacuate it and close it to other users).

Thank you all. It is related to vomiting in the pool as some kids have done this. The problem with my son is that he has two hollow legs and won’t be able to cope without something to eat after school.

I’ll try giving him a few snacks immediately after school and packing a bigger lunch for the next activity & see how it goes.