Holiday swimming essentials for 18 month old

[blueberry71]

We're taking our dd abroad in September and I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips on what swimming things we should take with us apart from swimming costumes? We're renting a villa so I'm very conscious of being extra safe. And also for her to have fun things to play with in the pool.

UV suit & legionnaire style cap
Swim vest

All-in-one sunsuit rather than swimming costume - sun protection and reduces the fights putting on suncream.
Arm bands and/or float vest which can be kept on all the time.
Mine loved pouring water so cups, buckets, watering can etc

swim nappies. Lots of swim nappies.

Agree with swim nappies. Lots of them. Arm band are very useful as my toddler independently wades in the pool with them. And a swim vest if you have one. I have anti slip flipper socks like thing for feet for baby as she runs off on to pebbles etc. Sun hat sun glasses and sun screen. After sun lotion. Few toys bucket spade balls for playing

Rash vest or t- shirt to swim in.

I am not a fan of flotation aids. A pool noodle is best if you can fit one in. Or buy one there.

Safety is about preventing any unsupervised access to the pool, and proper supervision when using it. Flotation aids aren’t safety devices, and shouldn’t be used as such. You’re better to teach your child how to swim and float without them, and keep very close at all times.

I had to pull two children out the pool the last time I went on holiday. First was a child in armbands, parents fully dressed on the sode of the pool. Child got into the middle of the deep pool and couldn’t get out. I had to tow them back to the steps. Second was a toddler who had finished swimming, parents took armbands off, turned to get towel, kid jumped straight back in, and discovered he couldn’t float without armbands.

Thanks for the advice everyone! We'll be watching her every second by the pool. Just wanted some tips for good swimming things to take. Last time we went away she was 6 months so there's obviously going to be a big difference this time around!

Water squirty toys. I find pull up nappies are easier around the pool. Dd would not pop in a swim nappy. Was very particular about being in a quiet place with no one around not even is so I used to take reusable swim nappies.

@anotherangel2 that's a great idea! Was dreading using those huggies ones as they are so fiddly! Thanks!

Even if you use disposable ones you can reuse them you know. Just dry them out and pop them back on!

A paddling pool!

We had one of these boats on holiday and my 2 loved it

Thanks guys! I'll take a couple of the disposable ones as well and wash them out to save space. @wafflethewonderdog I've actually just ordered something very similar to that ha ha! Hopefully my dd will enjoy it as much as your lo's.

UV swimsuit,swim nappies,swim vest, goggles(these were essential for DD to even entertain looking at the water) , some kind of floating device for fun..boat,crocodile (bought these on holiday tbh) and some toys(again bought on holiday).

Look at for water toys, my daughter was envious of some other kids plastic Dalmatians! Cannot tell you how long she threw them in the water and then got them out, they even came in a little bag!

If you get a UV swim suit, my best advice is to go for a 2 piece (t-shirt n shorts) it makes nappy changes sooooo much easier!
Also, when you get over there buy some of the big towel clips, can for keeping towels on loungers, but also for clipping things to the buggy if you are taking one and keeping towels rolled up.

A pool fence!

Asda swim nappies can be pulled on and ripped off. Swim nappies tend to be v. Expensive abroad or Impossible to find.

My dd likes her watering can and stacking cups that had a small hole in. She spent ages pouring water.

Talcum powder for if you go to the beach.

Neoprene shoes. Stop feet getting too hot on concrete/sand and can be worn in the water.

Get a pair of mio solo reuseable swim nappy. About the same price as a pack of nappies but much more compact, and environmentally better.

A pool noodle placed across her chest and under her arms will let her kick her legs and swim. A couple of fish or something similar that float to chase in the pool whilst on the noodle. A UV suit will also help keep her warmer in the water than a swimsuit as well.

Thanks everyone! Such good tips! Just ordered a reusable swim nappy and will make sure I get a 2 piece uv suit. Will get the toys eg noodle when I'm out there. Thanks again!