Tips for taking baby swimming

[Bunny2021]

We’ve got our first swim lesson tomorrow and I’m really nervous.

DS is 6 months and has only just started to tolerate bathtime.

What tips does anyone have for surviving swimming - particularly the getting out/dressed afterwards. DS hates getting cold after baths so I’m scared he’s going to be cold and have an epic meltdown…

Don't do it .
I bought those big towel dress things and threw one on me while I got my baby dried and changed

Get baby dried and dressed first. You’ll just have to be chilly for a bit. Take a changing mat or an extra towel and lay baby on it, whip off the swimwear as quickly as possible and cover baby with another towel, a quick rub then straight into vest, baby grow, hat and deposit them into a third dry towel. Then you just have to get yourself sorted (v quickly). It’s a juggling act as there is so little room in those changing cubicles. Don’t worry too much about him crying, I guarantee other babies will be wailing! I always found getting the wetsuit off damp chubby limbs the worst part. As soon as you can bribe them with snacks it gets easier.

I’ll go against the grain and say get yourself dressed first. I throw a big snuggly poncho over stripped DS who is lying on a mat, get myself sorted then I’m not dripping my cold clammy self all over him while I get dressed. Then scoop him into vest and zipped onsie. Do not consider socks.

*while I get HIM dressed

I go with getting yourself dried and dressed first.

Also saying get dressed first. Take a changing mat and a towel dressing gown to put baby in if you can as mine always escaped the towel. You can get yourself ready much quicker. Dress yourself in clothes that are easy to throw on such as a loose dress.

I used to strip mine, wrap in towel, lay on a change mat and put a towel/blanket on top, get dressed quickly, so dress and flip flops, then nappy, baby grow or easiest outfit you own. Feed them as soon as convenient.

Take a capacious bag, or a spare bag for life, so you're not getting stressed trying to fit things in a bag which has inexplicably shrunk.

Good luck!!

Swim nappies only hold poo, not wee. Don't put them on too early.

Wear a happy nappy over a normal swim nappy, as they can leak otherwise. My DD will only enjoy swimming if she’s warm - so she wears a warm-in-one.

I find getting myself dressed first afterwards a lot easier. Dress DS in something comfy as he’ll be knackered afterwards. We usu go for coffee/brunch after swimming classes as DD sleeps for ages so it’s a nice treat for DH and I

I used to make up a bottle before we went in so it would be just right for us getting out cos she was always starving after.
Another vote for getting yourself dried and dressed first. Also I used to take a towel to the pool side so I could wrap DD in it as soon as we got out.

Yeah don't bother

Er, make sure you're handy with the towel and diaper afterwards

We took DS swimming from 4 months.

I have a Konfidence body warmer for him and the double layer nappies. Plus a towel poncho and dressing gown.

Agree with getting yourself dried first.

In terms of in the pool, we took along a small ball and bath toy to keep him occupied initially. After a couple of weeks, he was so used to getting in that we stopped taking it.

Also agree with getting yourself dried first. This is especially true once they are mobile, otherwise you find your nice dry baby is rolling/crawling in the wet whilst you’re struggling to get your bra on fast enough!

My experience of baby swimming is that your worst fears will be realised 😂

Spend the money on cake and coffee. Take them to a play pool (one with a beach entry, wave machine and slide) when they're 3. Then they'll want to swim and it'll all be much less painful.

*Says the lady with 3dc who took only her eldest baby swimming

I know this isn't helpful but if you're dreading it this much why are you going? 6 month old babies don't need to go swimming. There are some things, like big days out, swimming, supermarkets etc.. where you just can't always avoid a meltdown. Not matte how well rehearsed you are. Babies will cry at swimming at some point, about something - because it's a LOT to take in at that young age.

Seems like an unpopular opinion nowadays but I don't see the point in taking babies swimming (or at least I don't see the point of swimming lessons for babies, they're very expensive just to be told to kick in the water. Something you can do yourself in the splash pool). I used to take my daughter for a splash when she was one and she hated it. Loves it now and she's 3.5. I understand we don't want to leave it too late to avoid a fear around water but it's much more fun when they're a bit older and more independent and therefore feel more in control.

Thanks everyone!

@cherrytopcake - good question! We’re going abroad for a month when DS will be 10/11 months old and the place has a pool. I want to be able to take him in the water and feel confident in myself doing so.

Don't bother at all x total waste of time money and tears for you both

Not a waste of money and good to learn how to be with baby in the water/ hold correctly and for them to learn to be comfortable in through water too. As others have said - towel to poolside for baby when out of water - I dress DS first so he’s not cold waiting for me to get dressed etc then dress myself after him.
Easy clothes for baby and you - plus nappy envelope in change bag. Good to get a second towel or splash mat for baby to sit/ lie on and be dry while you get ready.

Such a stupid waste of money taking a baby who doesn’t like water to swimming lessons.

I took DS to swimming from aboutv6 weeks, he loved it!

Make sure to have something easy to dress in for after, and use a baby wetsuit type thing to keep your baby warm in the water.

I used to get DS dressed first, but only because it was a communal changing room and that meant the other women were out first as it seemed I was the only person attending alone so fingers have anyone to dress the baby.

Be prepared to change the baby on the floor or wait your turn at a change station/family changing room

@PinkSyCo I’m suffering from post natal anxiety so please maybe think of the time of your words before writing. I have explained my reasons why - we both need confidence in the water.

Leave the woman alone for god’s sake if she wants to take her baby swimming it’s her choice and a perfectly valid one!
Christ knows there are far worse classes you can do with a small baby.

You just sound horrible @PinkSyCo

@User0ne

My experience of baby swimming is that your worst fears will be realised 😂

Spend the money on cake and coffee. Take them to a play pool (one with a beach entry, wave machine and slide) when they're 3. Then they'll want to swim and it'll all be much less painful.

*Says the lady with 3dc who took only her eldest baby swimming

Yes, this exactly Eldest had swimming lessons at 5 months, learned to swim aged 5ish Second had swimming lessons at 4 years, learned to swim aged 5ish Third one is currently having swimming lessons aged 4.5 and going well!

[quote Bunny2021]@PinkSyCo I’m suffering from post natal anxiety so please maybe think of the time of your words before writing. I have explained my reasons why - we both need confidence in the water.[/quote]
Is there another parent in your set up?
If there is go together and have one of you ready to take baby out early if they don't like it.
Get a swim ring you can sit the baby in.
Choose a really warm pool.

I do it because

DS actually likes the water so that makes it easier.

It’s a warm pool

We wanted something to do on Thursdays

The other option was baby massage which I really thought was cobblers

I get to see my friend as she’s there too

Ots very popular round here actually.