Baby hates having a bath, will he hate swimming pool?

[Newbiemum76]

Hi all
Next week we are going on our first family holiday, (staying in the UK though), I’m just worried about taking little man in the swimming pool, he will be 16 weeks next week but he’s always hated having a bath - I only bath him once a week because he gets so grumpy and screams so much while he’s in it - will he be like this in the pool? I’ve bought him a wetsuit type swimwear to keep him a bit warmer but I’m just wondering if it’s worth even bothering taking him in the pool or if it’s just going to upset him!
thanks!

Worth trying definitely! Don’t let either of you miss out just in case! Have a towel and change of clothes for him and you near by if he kicks off, but get in and cuddle him close slowly swaying side to side in the water. My little one (now 2) still to this day will not entertain being on her back in the water at all, despite loving swimming/splashing/being in the bath. So maybe avoid lying him backwards. Keep eye contact and sing to him. We took our nephew to Center Parcs about that age and he fell asleep in his mums arms in the pool he was so relaxed with the swooshing!

if it’s awful don’t do it again! Good luck and enjoy your holiday!

@Skiingwithgin thank you! Think I’ll give it a try and see, we are going to Centerparcs and I know they have a pool for babies and young children so hoping it’ll be slightly warmer than the main pool so he might enjoy it! If he really doesn’t then at least we tried! X

Have a search for an activity called baby dolphins as well. It's at 930 so you are in before pool opens, free. Lots of getting used to water, warm pool. Really nice for them, lying on a mat, toys etc.

Mine slept, have some lovely photos.

Ooh have a fab time. I definitely recommend getting there for opening, or as PP says, for baby dolphins.

my nephew fell asleep in the wave pool, but yes the baby pools are a bit warmer! I think all the whooshing sound of the slides and the noise echoing across the dome is like white noise and quite soothing for them

I go swimming regularly and I’ve never seen a baby upset in the pool. They all seem to love it. Just keep him close to you for warmth and hopefully he will have a great time.

Take a toy into the pool. A watering can or a ball for example. Hopefully he'll be distracted by the other babies and children in the pool.

Surprised to hear he doesn't like the bath. Have you got the temperature right for him?

Thanks everyone! I’m going to see if we can book the baby dolphin slots!

@dizzydizzydizzy I got one of the Tommee tippee bath thermometer so I know I’ve got the right temperature, I’ve also tried making it a little bit warmer for him as got told it could still be too cold but that made him cry harder, I never was a big fan of water when I was little so maybe he’s got that from me, hopefully as he gets older he’ll start to enjoy it more

Is he in the bath alone, or with you? He might just be freaking out because he feels vulnerable. If you hold him in your arms at the edge of the pool, watch others play in the pool for 10 minutes, then slowly carry him in with you, he’ll probably be fine - as long as you keep smiling and look confident! If you shriek at the temp he will panic!

Hi little update for you all (just in case anyone wanted to know)

He was okay in the pool until some bigger kids ran past and splashed him in the face and he didn’t like the wave machine but he did much better than I thought he would! 🥰

Lovely

He might like being held in the water so different from a bath