Taking toddler swimming for first time - any tips?

[christmastree33]

I want to take my 18 month old DD swimming at our local pool. We’ve never been before and I’m nervous!

What should she wear (does she need a wetsuit?), should I take any buoyancy aids with me and what’s the best way to get her changed efficiently when going in and out? She hates getting water in her eyes in the bath so I’m a bit anxious about that - plus how she’s going to take to swimming generally. I really don’t want to do classes as I’m looking for a (hopefully!) more relaxed experience.

I’m just looking for tips on how to help it all go as smoothly as possible basically!

I often take my DS of the same age. I normally have my own bathing suit on and get him ready there. In one place I just put him in a happy nappy as it’s really warm, but in the leisure centre it’s cooler so I put an all in one over the top. Don’t forget swim naps and a happy nappy under anything though!

I don’t use any aids, he keeps hold of me unless in the baby pool. We do take a little ball from the bath that he can throw and we go after. He absolutely loves the pool, but his maximum time in there is about 45mins.

When we get out, I rinse us both quickly under the shower and strip him off. While he’s wrapped in a towel, I give him a banana and water which gives me just enough time to quickly dress myself before sorting him.

Good luck OP!

Hiya, I'd pop her in a water-proof nappy. Do you have a swimsuit? I'm wouldn't worry if you don't, the swim nappy should be fine. I didn't use any buoyancy aids as I held mine the whole time. I think there's two different schools of though on buoyancy aids. One side thinks it's important for kids to learn how their body feels in the water water and so are opposed. Other side thinks it's a safety measure for KK IDs as they get a bit more independent. My son is three and his swim school don't recommend them. Anyhow...as for changing. I'd bring some water and snacks. Swimming is tiring! Let her have a snack while you change her on bench. Once she's sorted you can pop her in pram while you get dressed. I think for your first visit, just see how she goes. We did lots of bouncing, I lay his head on my shoulder and got him kicking, we did some splashing. He loved it! I'd recommend swimming lessons really. It's a vital skill and really good fun for most kids.

Holy Jesus, I'm so sorry for the typos!

A great tip for swimming changing is to take a cosy dressing gown for DC. Means you can rough dry them and wrap up. Get changed yourself, then dress them second. It makes it much easier than trying to dress a damp, wriggly toddler.

Little swimmers disposables are everywhere and unless they poo (rare) then they can be rinsed dried and re-used several times - basically until the Velcro goes because they don't absorb anything. It took me a few years to realise this. Less wasteful and cheaper! Of course there are also really good non-disposable swim pants available.

I agree with PP about mostly just holding them at that age until they are used to the water. But once they are a little bigger and want to be able to safely explore more independently I cannot recommend this decathlon vest enough. We didn't know about it for DD1 but discovered it for DD2. Game changer. And she can swim without just fine now, managed to transition no problem. I think it's so much better than arm bands as they are less restricted to use arms and it also promotes a swimming position. Plus means you can relax on holiday and supervise but not have to be right next to them constantly!

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/swimvest-swim-vest-blue-pink-15-25-kg/_/R-p-170497

Swimsuits on under clothes so you're quick to get undressed. Wear stuff that's easy to put on and off - cosy jumpers, joggers.

Don't put the swim nappy on till just before you go into the pool, they hold poo but not wee.

Just hold her to start with to she how she is rather than any arm bands - if she loves it you can always get something as she gets more confident.

Getting changed afterwards is all about speed - I usually wrap DS up in a couple of big towels and give him a snack, get myself dry and changed and then get him ready.

I go with swimsuit under under clothes and get DS dressed there.
When your finished it's about speed and snacks.
Get a towel around you, sort DC out first and give them a snack whilst you get sorted.

It's abit stressful but it's fine, hope you both enjoy!

Swimming is great but changing is awful!

Plan your locker bags. You'll probably be holding a wet grumpy toddler when you get out, you want towels on top in the locker so you can grab them easily, a bag for wet stuff, a bag with your clothes. You can leave shoes and coats in the locker and relock it then get them when you're dressed. Put things in the locker in the right order.

Swimming makes them tired and hungry so have a snack with you and don't plan anything too energetic straight after. Half hour to three quarters of an hour is usually long enough. Watch out for their lips going a bit purple, it means they're child and ready to get out (or at least need to be encouraged to move more!)

I take armbands. Bath toys are also fun, anything that floats or cups or mini watering can etc. Just one or two or you'll be fending off all the other toddlers!

As well as swirling around you can get them to sit on the edge then fall forward into your arms, lower their mouth in the water to blow bubbles, practise kicking legs etc

Yes to reusing swim nappies. Places can be weird about the actual reusable ones but they won't know what you've got on under a suit.

Being wet and drippy in a confined space getting dressed after is one of my least favourite things, I remember a time DD kept trying to latch on to my boobs every time I bent down to sort her out! Wrap them in a towel then dry yourself as a priority, or you will drip on them.

Also be prepared for your kid to hate it at least at first, both of mine went recently after a long hiatus and the sound and splashing made them both a bit scared to begin with.

This is so helpful, thanks everyone!

Would something like this be good to wear in an indoor pool or does she need something warmer?

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/duck-swim-bubble-d8798.html

It says it has a built in nappy, but I’d still need to use a swim nappy as well, wouldn’t I?

Or would something like this be better?

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-baby-shark-stripe-all-in-one-sunpro-swimsuit-red-blue/p5416407

It all depends on the pool re what to wear. At one place my son just wears normal swimming trunks and at the other he wears one of these closeparent.com/products/toddler-snug-suit-endangered-animals-collection-hummingbird-1 Personally I'd go for the second option if your not sure with a resumable swim nappy underneath then if you find he gets too warm you can just strip him down to his nappy and use the snug suit at the beach later in the year.

I'd go for second option

For swim nappies I use one of these closeparent.com/collections/all-swim/products/swim-nappy-retro-collection with one of these underneath if the pool have a double nappy policy (most don't seem to for general swim) closeparent.com/collections/all-swim/products/pop-in-swim-nappy-liner

Other thing to note is don't expect to be in the pool the whole session, they get tired quickly so we usually only do 30-45 minutes with my 20mo.

Oh, he also doesn't have any swim aids as he's always holding on to one of us.

Also, check with the pool you are planning on using if they have any rules you need to follow. My local one insists on waterproof nappies (not unreasonably!), but is otherwise chilled about everything.