Tips for first time swimming

[CJ1990]

Hello!

Just after some advise! I’m taking my 8 month old swimming for the first time tomorrow. I’ve been putting it off as im super nervous...one reason being she always melts down after getting out the bath....but fingers crossed this will be fine...!
I’m just looking for some tips really 😁such as getting baby clean afterwards e.g do you shower them there or wait until your home, is there a time limit on how long you should stay in, should you only go in the baby pool not the main one etc etc....! Sorry if they’re silly questions. But first time nervous mum who’s never ever taken a baby swimming before!

Thank you 😊

Get out the pool and check the temp of showers, they maybe too hot or cold, go to changing room take off baby’s swimming costume and wrap them in a towel, take off your swimming costume and put on a light weight dressing gown, put nappy on baby and then feed milk, dry off baby and put on clothes by then you will be dry so just put on your own clothes.

• only stay for 20 mins ish first time
• any pool is fine but keep any wet parts submerged

Oh they'll love it! It's recommended only 20 minutes for babies. I went in the shallow end of the adult pool. They love the feeling of it, especially being held close to you and swirling around. Take your guidance from their smiles as to what they're enjoying.

When you go into the shower, just keep them close to you and just rinse off.

Towel around them and get them warm straight away. I had my cousin come to take care of baby while I changed, but you could get them well dried and into clothes and into car-seat/carry-cot and while they're snug, you get dressed. Expect them to be very hungry after!

Put your swimming costume on under you clothes so when you change to get in you can be quick

My DD is the same age and we take her swimming every week. I find it easier to put a swim nappy on and her swimming costume under a baby grow, so you just have to take the baby grow off when you get there. I also put my swimming costume on under my clothes.

I've found it A LOT less stressful if someone comes with me - that way you've got an extra pair of hands, which can be useful when it comes to getting them dry and dressed after you get out the pool. I don't tend to bother showering after we've been swimming as my DD is usually starving/tired by the time we get out the pool so can get upset if dressing/drying is taking a while. I usually just give her a bath later on before bedtime.

20 mins is usual a good time for a first swim but keep an eye on whether lo is getting too cold if the water isn't that warm.

Thanks so much everyone! 😁

Dress her in just a baby grow/sleepsuit style thing and nothing else.

Also swim nappies ARE NOT EFFECTIVE unless in water!! I learnt that one the hard way

Do not put a swim nappy on before you get to the pool! They do not contain pee!

Took ds from 8 weeks old. Lots of bouncing and splashing. I put towel on the side so I wrap him up as soon as he's comes out to keep him warm. Always dress him first and be prepared for milk demands pretty much immediately after as they find it tiring. Oh and they might want a hat for outside after as their hair is often wet (longer haired baby) and it helps keep them snug.

Also Reusable swim Nappies will save you a fortune if your going regularly BTW -, 7 quid and last till there almost 2. I go twice a week and have been using one for months.

Check with the pool on their swim nepotism policy. Some don’t like reusable ones, some include disposable ones in the cost of a parent/baby swim, some want 2 layers over the baby’s bottom.

As ling as you don’t rip the sides, you are dry out the disposables and use them again several times.

You might want to consider getting a baby
wetsuit wrap if you are going to go often.

Take the carseat/buggy with you, so you have somewhere to put the baby when you are getting changed, although some places have playpens.

Take snacks!

“Nepotism” should be “nappy”.

Most random autocorrect ever there!