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Parenting

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Original poster

taking Baby swimming?

8 replies

Katieemilyxo · 15/10/2015 09:12

My child is coming up 12 weeks old and I was wondering if I can take him swimming or is it to earlie and if I can is there anything I can buy for him to go in at such a young age??

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LovelyWeatherForDucks · 15/10/2015 09:19

Of course you can, you'll need something to keep him warm (all in one neoprene type thing) and remember you'll probably only manage 20 mins or so before he gets too cold and fed up!

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 15/10/2015 09:23

my local pool is so warm it's like a bath and the changing village is ridiculously warm too so I don't use the full suit, just a swimsuit and my DD is never cold in there so perhaps check our your local pool and work out what to wear from there. As for something to put him in, the first time or two you'll probably want it hold him close for reassurance I'm case he's not sure about it, but after that they do sell little floating seats from 3 months onwards.

RatOnnaStick · 15/10/2015 09:23

DS2 went in the water at 7 weeks old . 12 weeks is a nice age to start as baby is beginning to have some control over limbs etc.

You need a swim nappy, either disposable such as Huggies Little Swimmers or a reusable one which looks like a pair of trunks such as Bambino Mio (I got mine in Boots).

Over that you can choose whatever you want to put over. I swore by awrap warmer as the neoprene keeps their core warm.

The first time, expect to spend about 10-15 minutes max in the water as babies get cold and tired very quickly. Just sit in the shallows and swish him about and let him feel the water. Don't bother with swim seats yet, he won't want to go far from you to start with.

Have a towel ready straight away and get him warm and dry before you. He will be starving so prepare to feed him straight away - in the changing rooms if necessary. I would expect him to fall asleep straight afterwards which is the perfect opportunity for you to get coffee and cake.

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Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 15/10/2015 09:24

Ooooh and he'll be starving and shattered whem he comes out so if FF have a bottle ready to go. Have fun!!

RatOnnaStick · 15/10/2015 09:24

Oh, and save your shower and hair wash for home. The first few times its just one step too many.

Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 15/10/2015 09:25

Ooops cross post rats!!

plipplops · 15/10/2015 09:35

Have you considered baby swimming lessons?

Kent1982 · 15/10/2015 11:22

We have been going swimming since 16 weeks he loves it, in fact it's our favourite activity. He has a swim ring seat thing, I bought it online, so spends time in that and time out of it. I usually bf him in changing room before we go home, as he gets hungry then he sleeps for ages yay. I take his towel into the pool area so he doesn't get cold when we come out.

I'm lucky as mum always comes with me so she stays in pool with LO whilst I get dry then I come collect him out of pool so I'm not dripping wet and freezing whilst I get him ready.

He loves it so much he likes it when we splash and he is not in the least bit scared of the water.

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