Swimming - any tips for 10month old - we've not been swimming before!!

[absandme]

I'm after tips and advice, we've never been swimming before....... obviously, I have but dd 10 months hasn't....

Worried about dunking under water, she's not too bad with hair wash in bath at home & is okish with water on face.

Do you have a shower after? Can't imagine swimming with her but really want to give it a go!

you have to do shower before and after thing, i walked in with dd let her stand and stamp her feet and splashing she enjoyed this then i held her in bigger pool swishing her towards me and away from me i didnt have the heart to dunk her! btw i had my sis there which was big help hth

Those foam sausage things are great for pulling them around with (kind of hook them over it if you can). I always ducked and splashed mine loads from 5 wks onwards. we always shower after but i dont bother with shower gel or shampoo as I think its too much hassle and mine bath every night. I get mega organised with towel on top before I put stuff in locker adn take a bag of chocolate buttons to keep them happy whilst I get changed.
i also put them in the easiest possible clothes - not loads of layers adn fiddly buttons etc as this just creates hassle.

go during a baby/toddler session if poss...the water is warmer and there is an assortment of wings/rings/seats/noodles that you can try without having to buy and an instructor who will give advice (at least at the ones we've been to)......

oh and we took a poncho towel to the poolside as it was quite a walk back to the changing rooms and chilly

our local pool has the baby pool to temp mon-sun 9-6 so your pool may have similar ours didnt have the floats and stuff

I always put my suit on under my clothes, saves a bit of faffing, don't forget to take underware with you though, going comando in jeans is not recomended!

Been taking our wee one since she was about 4 months, and she loves it, we just splash around, and swish back and forward, she has ducked herslf a few times, hasn't seemed to bother her too much.

We never bother with the shower, just bath when we get home.
Good luck and have fun