Baby swimming practicalities

[Esshum]

I know this sounds silly, but I'd like to take my six month old swimming, but am getting really anxious about the practicalities of it! I've found a pool that does baby classes (the castle leisure centre in Southwark - anyone used it? Any good??) and understand what I need to dress my baby in (swimming nappy, elastic swimming shirts thing, then wetsuit swimming costume thing - is this right??)

But I'm a bit unclear about what to do when I'm there.... How do I get him and me changed at the pool? Would it be easier to out his swimming stuff on him at home? Where do I out him when I'm getting out of my wet costume? Do I have to give him a shower before we get in the pool??

Any helpful tips for a newby on how you all deal with it would be so so much appreciated!

I wouldn’t dress him before you go, swim nappies don’t contain wee!
I used to just get mine changed, sit/lie them on a portable change mat on the floor then get myself changed. Then the same in reverse at the end. I didn’t bother showering them at the pool, just bathed them at home.

Sorry just saw you meant showering before... our waterbabies class said you had to shower then before so I just dunked us both in the shower for a rinse.

When I went swimming with DD as a baby I got myself changed before leaving home (with clothes on top obviously) so it was easy to get going when we arrived. Afterwards I wrapped her up in a towel on the floor to keep her warm while I got dressed, then did her afterwards. Always worked well.

If it's a normal public pool then a wetsuit is a great idea to keep them warm, if it's a super warm baby pool you might be fine with just the swim nappy and happy nappy on top.

We did swimming lessons (water babies, but there are loads of good options) for years and absolutely loved it. It's a great thing to do!

Take a spare towel and lay the baby on that while you get dressed. Some pools will have a play pen or seat you can put them in while you change, others don't.

Get all your dry clothes sorted for each of you into a separate carrier bag before you get into the pool. It makes things quicker and easier.
Prepare for baby to be hungry when you get out, then hopefully will have a long nap 😁.

I took a dressing gown so I stayed warm whilst sorting baby out after,

I used to take a towelling robe for myself. My babies loved swimming, but they always wanted to breastfeed afterwards, so the robe kept me warm whilst I changed and fed them. For a 6 month old, get him dressed, sit him on a changing mat or dry towel on the floor (I always had one extra) and give him a snack whilst you get dressed.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/parenting/3212670-Baby-swimming-clothes have a look at this (starts on clothes, moves to practicalities. Just try different ways out, you’ll work out what suits you and your baby before too long.

I take a fluffy warm zip up onesie for my kids for post swimming. I get dressed speedily while they lie wrapped in a towel and then when I’m done they’re dry and it’s nappy and onesie and off we go

You are not being silly! The tiled flooring alone with a wriggling baby is scary!

The mums I see do what has been mentioned above - dress beforehand, take a towelling dressing gown etc.

However! There is no way my little girl will stay still long enough for me to get dressed too. And frankly it's too dangerous for me to even attempt single handedly. So, my mum meets me there. I realise this isn't possible for everyone but I honestly don't know how I'd manage it without her.

While my mum had hold of my daughter, I once managed to grab a baby who had rolled and was nose diving for the floor!

I realise I have no useful advice. Sorry .

I highly recommend this baby swim wear though, just needs a swim nappy underneath.

www.splashabout.com/baby-swimming/baby-toddler-wetsuits.html?p=3

If you can bring your partner or a friend for the first lesson. This takes some of the scariness out of having a wiggling wet baby to manage as well as yourself! Once you what needs doing you'll have confidence to manage on your own.

The best thing I bought was an inflatable ring with a seat in it. Baby floats in it and I can push him along and swim after him. I inflate and deflate it at home. Also take an old towel to put on the floor if your pool doesn’t have a baby seat or pen. Dress both of you in easy clothes eg leggings.

Some pools have little play pens or changing mats with straps to hold them. Or I've also seen little things that you sit them in attached to the wall like a little highchair. We are allowed to take buggy in local pool so I shove a towel round myself, get baby cosy then shove him in his pram.

Thanks guys! So helpful to know how you all managed it (and that's it is worth it!). I'm feeling more confident now. I'm going to order what he need this week and give it a go next week 🤞🤞

I worried about this, but there are baby changing rooms with high chairs where I go and quite a wide bench to lay him on. Why don't you check with swimming pool. I always take him in his costume to save hassle and time when I'm there. We shower at the end and wash all the chlorine off. I'm always on my own and we manage fine. At six months your baby shouldn't need a warmer, although they are nice in the cooler months for when baby gets out the pool. You could just take a towel to wrap him up when you get out

Make sure you sort your clothes once you've taken them off rather than just chucking them in the locker

Two towels for baby, one to lie/sit on and one to dry. I wrap myself in towel and then get him dry and changed first then quickly chuck your clothes on.

Worth checking with pool about if you're allowed pram or car seat in the changing room/pool side. Much easier to get changed if they're contained!

In get it's me and my DS in our swimming gear (under our clothes) before we leave the house as its only 10mins away.

I use a swim nappy, then I used to put the protective nappy thingy over the swim nappy (although stopped using that now at 15month, just my choice) then an all in 1 swim suit and a Velcro strapped cover suit to keep him warm. ( don't know all the right names, so you may need to ignore if confusing )

I take Muslims with me to throw on the floor as they are light weight in the bag rather than loads of towels and still keep us dry. I do take DS hooded towel to the side of the pool to throw him in after as it bloomin freezing at our centre
I always get baby ready first so he is warm and dressed first.
I don't bother with showering at the pool I bath at home.
I also take an extra bag with me to throw the wet stuff in so its not going back in the changing bag with other things
I dress us both in baggy clothes, easy to throw back on - fluffy onesies are great for this weather as well. ( for the baby obviously not me !!!)

You will find your own flow but it is daunting the first time but well worth it if your baby likes the water.

Good luck x