Taking a baby swimming - stupid questions!

[Thatsnotmyhat]

I’m hoping to take DD (nearly 11 months) swimming tomorrow.

It’ll just be me and her (not part of a group) so what does she actually need?

I was going to get her a swimming costume and swim nappies. Does she need a swim nappy cover? Does she need one of those body warmer swimsuit things that they sell on amazon and Jojo Maman Bebe? (I’d rather not get one as we won’t be swimming that often).

What else do we need or what do I need to take into consideration?

Take at least two towels, one to put on baby straight out of the pool and one for drying them down with to keep them warm. Our pool has blue float may things where you put the baby on it at the side of the pool then you get in and can easily get baby in with you. My 6 month old wears one of the neoprene suits to keep her warm it's lovely.

I got a body warmer thing because not only does it keep the baby warm, it also gives you a better grip (they can be slippery and wriggly). By about 18m it was unnecessary though, we just started using a normal costume.

I recommend an inflatable ring baby seat, you can pick them up cheaply on Ebay and re-sell afterwards. You’ll get about a years use out of it and then switch to another swimming aid (we use a Swimfin).

Oh and remember that swim nappies are NOT waterproof! Don’t put them on before you go or come home in them!

Hi OP,

I would suggest taking two towels (one for baby to lie on, the other to dry her and keep her warm)

Swim nappies

A neoprene swimming costume - this will ensure she's kept warm and will avoid any wee/poo leaks. Happy Nappy are a great brand and are available on Amazon prime

Then just the nappy and clothes you'll be changing her into. Perhaps a small toy or snack to keep her occupied while you get yourself changed too

Enjoy!

All the towels... I would normally take two for me (body and long hair) and sometimes a third so I've something clean and dry to stand on. I always take at least two for DS even now that he's older. As a minimum, you'll probably need one to lay them on and one to dry them with, while you drip-dry as best you can wrapped in yours.

While DS was in nappies I preferred one of those all-in-one swimsuits with longish sleeves and legs as they hold the swim nappy better and cover the shoulders so less chilly. Most supermarkets sell ones that are UV too so they get used on holidays or even just playing outside in summer. You don't need a separate swim nappy cover unless you want to double up (I did but really wasn't necessary). You can get reusable swim nappies too, or some baby swimwear comes with it built-in.

I never liked the baby swim aids (seats or armbands) and they were actively discouraged at DS's swimming lessons because the instructors were trying to teach you how to confidently support the child in the water and were right there to help the whole time. However if you're going alone, it may be useful in lieu of a spare pair of hands, particularly for getting in and out.

My local pool won't let you borrow any floats or toys, even in the baby pool, so maybe take something along to engage her - even just one of those plastic balls if you've got a ball pit, or a small clean bath toy.

Last but not least - DS was always ravenous right afterwards, so take snacks!

Don't forget you! I was always so focused on my baby I forgot to take extra towels for me.

In the end I took a towelling robe for me whilst I concentrated on drying baby. Once they are dry I would put them, propped up eating a snack (always very hungry after swimming) and dry myself whilst keeping a close eye on them.

I didn't use swimming trunks for my babies, there didn't seem much point as the swim nappies are colourful anyway.

Take change for lockers.
Two towels for baby
towel and towelling robe for you as it's chilly drying another whilst you are wet. Plastic bag for wet things afterwards, hairbrush,
drinks and snacks.
I also took water play toys as they were permitted.
Swim nappy x2,
Arm bands/ flotation device if needed.

And don't forget your bra & knickers if you are already in your costume to arrive!

Best check with the pool to see if they need a happy nappy over a swim nappy or just a swim suit. Don't expect to be in there long. Take all the towels.

Check the specific requirements re swim nappies
Take car seat in with you assuming still in baby seat.
You stand and shiver while getting baby ready.
Put baby in car seat.
Get yourself ready.
Be prepared to not be there long.

Do not put swim nappy on before you leave the house, they are merely poo catchers.

I found baby swimming a massive PITA with DTs, we always had two adults due to ratios but it is a lot of faff for not that much joy.

Swimming tends to make them very tired so maybe factor that into your timings.

I used to take a hair turban to put my hair up out of the way. Strip and towel round you. Then sort the baby. Take a bottle of milk or snacks and clip them into buggy or carseat once dressed. By this point you will have drip dried so can get dressed. Don't wear jeans

I would definitely get a happy nappy for over the swim nappy- speaking from experience of having poo leaking out of a swim nappy 🤢🤢

Snacks will make life so much easier.

Get out of the pool, dry off baby and give them a snack to eat whilst you get yourself dressed

I used one of those neoprene suits when DS was very small (3-6 months) but once he outgrew that I didn't bother, either just put a swimsuit on (I had ones that covered the chest as well as the bum) or just in the swim nappy (one of those happy nappy ones that stop poo leaking out - although he has never poo'd while swimming yet thank goodness because I can't imagine it's fun washing it out)

I didn't need extra towels or anything, just one towel for him and one for me. My local pool has a high chair in the changing rooms and so once he was able to sit in it I would take it into the showers with me (was one of those IKEA ones so could stand getting wet) to sit him in while I showered.

It's much easier if you have someone to help you though for the showering/changing portion! I'd sometimes have DD with me too who is a few years older than DS so she could hold him for a bit when necessary.

Our pool require them to have a swim nappy AND a swim suit over (double bagging)
We never bothered with a neoprene suit just a long sleeved swim suit
2 towels for baby plus at least a big one for you
Snack or toy to occupy them whilst you get changed
Start of with short swims and then make them longer as you get used to it.
I've been taking my boys swimming nearly every week since they were 6wks old and they live the water.

They have said it all.
A lunch /coffee date for you afterwards (they sleep for hours). I used to go to the internet cafe to do job applications (showing my age).

I only every used normal costumes (+ swim nappy) then when I got out I'd put them in one of those towel ponchos with hoods and give them a quick run with that then something to play with for 2 mins whilst I got dressed, then dress them afterwards - otherwise, if they are dressed first they inevitably get wet in a puddle, whilst you are trying to get yourself dressed. I don't think there are many pools that let you take your buggy into the changing area (due to mud on wheels etc). Some might have a play pen thing but I definitely wouldn't assume that. So dress yourself in something really quick to pull on.

Couple more while I remember:
Wear your Cossie under your clothes to go so you've just got to strip off outer clothes

Take your time getting undressed and setting your locker up - makes it much easier if your clothes are the right way round and towels easy to access in the locker when you come out of the pool. I learnt this one the hard way!

Flip flops to walk to the water as the sides get slippy which is hard work carrying a baby/toddler.