Taking a Baby Swimming?

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Might be a silly question but are babies allowed to go with you to the swimming pool. My daughter is 4 months. I know there are classes which are safer and specifically for babies and kids but if you didn’t want to take them to a swimming class can you just take them to the normal leisure centre / swimming pool? I haven’t been swimming in so long but I don’t remember seeing babies there. I would only take her in the shallow part she loves to sit in the water with me holding her and splash. Is there anything specific you would need to take? Can normal bathers be worn or do they still need the full all in one swimming suit due to their sensitive skin and the chlorine? Thanks in advance x

Yes you can but they get cold quickly and need to wear a swim nappy to contain any poo. Tbh it is a faff changing them for often little time in the water snd many pools have limited baby changing facilities.

I've taken my older children when they we're babies. Wore normal bathers and a swim nappy and used an inflatable swim seat (with me holding them at all times). However, I'm not sure on the age range of the swim seat or even if they're recommended anymore? This was over 10 years back, due to covid I haven't had chance to take my youngest yet.

My local leisure centre had decent facilities.

We used to book to go to the kids pool which was a couple of degrees warmer. Best check with your local leisure centre as some have specific times for babies & toddlers and some require a double swim nappy (so a disposable and a reusable/happy nappy).

Thank you all xx

I’ve been a few times recently with my boy - he is now eight months but there were younger babies there. We went during an allocated family swim time (the others times are lane swimming only at this particular pool). It was brilliant - he loved it! We were only in for around 30 mins each time, but it was worth it for us because lockdown has been SO BORING and I was fed up with doing the same walks every day.

Yes I do think a full or 3/4 length swimsuit helped to keep him warm. In the end I found it easier to get him ready at home (so swimming nappy and swimsuit on, with some clothes over the top if necessary for the bus journey). He’s on solids now and doesn’t poo as often - not sure how this approach would work out for you as I can’t remember the poo frequency at that age! But you could have the swimsuit on with a normal nappy underneath for the journey to make it a quicker change when you get there. Afterwards we both got changed in the change rooms. Milk feed straight afterwards as he was hungry. It was all really easy and fun.

Yes, we went from about 6 weeks with my dc and they all enjoyed it. Find a pool that’s nice and warm, make sure you are ready to change them quickly and can feed them after. Mine always had an amazing sleep afterwards!

It’s fine to take them as soon as their tummy button has healed. It’s better to keep them full (well up to their neck in water) otherwise they get too cold. I’ve always just held mine so they feel safer and get a bit of my body heat.

Yes I have taken DS since approx 8 weeks old. Our local pool has a smaller pool which is 'usually' a little warmer.

He is 2 now and we still use a Huggies swim nappy and swim shorts over the top just in case of poo.

When younger he had a little wetsuit but to be honest I don't think it made a lot of difference. We used to do 20/30 min a combination of being held or inflatable seat.

You can take them to family swim or many have specific baby and toddler times too.
The sit in floaters are good to save your arms. They do get cold fairly quickly (even in heated pools) so that limits your time. The younger they are the more they benefit from a suit that covers more of them, swim nappies are a must for possible poo's, you can get disposable or reusable. Some places are a 1:1 ratio and other are a 1:2 ratio for adult:non-swimmer.

Thanks for all the fab advice and replies xx