first attempt at going swimming - advice please!

[OwlinaTree]

I'm going to take my 15 week old baby swimming tomorrow for the first time!! We are going to a parent and baby session.

I've got the swimming nappy and little swimmer trunks for him. I just wondered if anyone had any useful tips on stuff to take to make changing, drying etc any easier?

Also I wasn't planning on putting armbands on him. Is this wrong, do you think I should for safety?

Thanks guys, any expertise welcome!

No to armbands, they're usually 2+. I took a changing mat to the busier pool I went to because there was only one changing unit.

Armbands, wouldn't bother - you'll be holding him all the time anyway and getting them in a baby is not easy!

I've got a towelling robe which I always take (for me) - means I can quickly strip my wet costume off and put something together warm and dry on then sort DS out - easier than trying to dry him while in a wet costume.

But you'll be fine - just be prepared for it to be short and sweet - DS used to turn blue after 20 minutes or so!

Sorry, my first sentence wasn't very helpful! Armbands are to help learn to swim and they can't do that until they're more co-ordinated (and it doesn't keep the head afloat!). Probably not appropriate for a group lesson but my baby loves the inflatable swim seats that let them bob around with their legs dangling in the water.

He is probably a bit little but I used to take a dressing gown to wrap the little one in while I got dry - easier to dress a baby if you're not shivering!

I guess you could take one for you if you can manage to carry it along with everything else

Both great tips, I'll add those items to the bag, thanks guys!

Little swim seat
A robe for you
Car seat so you have somewhere to put him

No to armbands, if possible take a towelling poncho or dressing gown so you can wrap them up quickly after coming out the pool. I had a changing mat made out of the non slip material like you get for those mats you put in cars to stop things slipping off the dashboard it was very handy.

It's not a lesson, I want to try and get him a bit used to the water before trying lessons! Love the idea of a floating seat tho.

Well, everyone's different but this is what I used to do:

I'd recommend putting baby in a onesie type costume as they can get cold very quickly, even in one of those 'tropical indoor' type swimming pools.

After showering baby off, remove costume and nappy in the shower and put them in one of those (thick) hooded towelling capes.

I've never been a fan of babies on high changing units, so I've always laid another towel on the floor and let them wriggle themselves dry in their towelling cape whilst I get myself dressed first. Yes, the world is full of germs and swimming pools no different but the floor towel is going to go back home on a high temp wash anyway :)

Armbands not neccessary. You'll be holding them close the whole time, and the first time they accidentally swallow a mouthful of chlorinated water they'll quickly learn not to again.

It's ridiculously slippery ithe shower area as spilt hair conditioner on the floor can be nasty, so grippy soled slip-on shoes ideal.

Problem with car seat is no where to put it when in the pool.

Hummm the floor extra towel sounds like a good move. Might do that instead of changing mat as easier to clean.

Either a bottle or boob to settle him before dressing him always soothed mine. Take wet swim clothes of a
Wrap them in a towel and him a quick feed. Saves trying to dress a slightly damp screaming child. They never se to like the getting out the pool part x

Ditto all of the above with the added advice not to expect to stay too long.

The first time I took mine as a baby we had a bit of a splash around but as soon as he got tired he got cold from not moving as much, even with the warm water.

If you are a regular swimmer yourself it might feel like so short a time as to not be worth it but it really is as they build up their tolerance and start to move about more each time.

Thanks guys! I'll let you know how we get on.

Well we went! He was OK in the water, a bit of wahhhing at first but got a bit used to it. Got out after about 20ish minutes as he'd had enough.

The dressing gown was really useful, thanks mummy lion. I got him feeding and cuddling under that, and I was warm too. The extra towel for lying on was used too, thanks hubbubs.

We will definately be going again soon!!