Swimming with a 10mth old!

[melonribena]

I'm taking my 10mth old ds swimming for the first time tomorrow. We wanted to go before but he's had awful eczema which we are just getting under control.

I'm a bit unsure on the logistics. I hear the pool has changing tables and cots in the changing rooms. I would however, be most grateful for any advice or info about things that have been invaluable for u when taking your dc swimming.

I've got a little poncho towel and was planning to take a drink for him to have afterwards. Thanks in advance.

The drink afterwards is a good idea, but mine always drank pool water as they swam and wanted a snack when they got out.

Have you got swim nappies? They are really expensive to buy at our pool, get a pack at the supermarket. I used washables with DC1&2, but DC3 always seemed to poo so I swapped to disposable ones.

Be prepared for screaming. Depending on the water temperature, it maybe a shorter swim. Than you expect as they get cold quickly.

I always dress them before myself afterwards.

Can you take a buggy into changing room, or is there a playpen o put him in once dressed? You may want to take an extra towel to put into it as they can be damp.

Worth checking the nappy policy with the pool. Some insist on double protection - swim nappy (Huggies or other) plus a happy nappy.

Often the first time they only manage about 10 mins. At that age, will be 30 mins max anyway. Check pool temp too. Anything much below 29 and they'll get v cold.

Good luck! Swimming with babies is great.

Recommend more than one towel - we often use 3, one to wrap in immediately when we get out of the pool, one to wrap in after shower and a third for actually drying. This might seem like over kill but they do seem to get soaked.

I would consider getting a wetsuit type wrap unless the water is very warm.

Re eczema: DS (8 months) has fairly severe eczema and I find it really helps to slather him up in thick ointment (we use hydromol) before the swim. I thought th the swimming pool would hate this as ofcourse it all washes off in the pool but it was a swim teacher that recommended it to us. If you do this then baby will be very slippery so if you are not using a wetsuit then do keep a vest on him in the pool. After swimming get into the shower ASAP and take your time washing properly with your usual eczema wash (we use Dermol cream). After showering cream up as normal and that evening an extra long/good bath is called for. Like this swimming doesn't make DSs eczema any worse.

Baby will be shattered after swimming so whatever you have planned make sure he can sleep there. Enjoy!!

blimey these threads make it sound like a military operation!we just fling a towel and a swim nappy in the bag and off we go. a snack for after is good, and the best tip is to take a bath toy or two to play with in the water.

I sometimes sit her down in her swimmer while I get dressed as then I don't need to worry about wet clothes.

Take a familiar toy as it may be a bit overwhelming at first. DS loves taking his bath ducks with him.

Iv been taking DS swimming every week since he was 4months - now 13m, it's my favourite thing to do with him you will both love it.
I take 2 swim nappies and 1 towel each. Mine has awful eczema as well - it does sometimes flare up after swimming so be prepared for that, helps if you shower them (or even wash with flannel or cotton wool in the sink) & put their creams on after.
DS never eats or drinks afterwards he falls asleep within 30 seconds of being dressed, but other mums we go with all bring snacks.

I wear my swimming cozzy to the pool so we can be ready quicker & easier and wear clothes that I can get on while I'm still half wet. (no jeans).
The changing room bit isn't easy so the quicker you can get out the better. Our pool doesn't have a play pen just a bench to balance DS on - easier when he wasn't mobile
Have fun & keep it simple xx

Ps the boots own brand swim nappies are just as good as the huggies ones but cheaper

You can wash and reuse swim nappies if all they do is wee in them.

With small DCs and swimming the best advice is to just do it and don't worry too much.

You will get yourselves dry and changed one way or another.

Just make sure you take a biscuit for the child they are famished when they come out!

Also 20-30 mins is about the limit for a 10 mth old in my experience!

Good luck x

PS you can give them the biscuit once they are dry and while you throw your own clothes on.

PPS Apart from a rinse as they get out I never attempt showering my two (3 and 1). They have a proper bath later when they get home.

I was going to say the same as TrucksandDinosaurs.

Enjoy it, my DD loved it from 6 weeks and is now 4 and still loves it.

It's great that your pool has changing tables/playpens. I wouldn't go to one that didn't.

However if you're going for a class or a particular pool session I'd try to get there really early as the baby-friendly change rooms may be full.

Best thing of all is if you can go with someone else the first time.

My baby is still small enough to carry in his car seat and there is a place to store car seats and buggies by the pool where I go. So I can change him then strap him into car seat while I change.

Our local pool has a beach style bit you can walk into which is great with babies, you can sit in the shallows to get them used to it at first.

Or if you go to the normal pool for the classes, the lifeguard holds your baby while you get in/out then passes them to you.

Thanks everyone! We had a great time swimming and my ds loved every second!