Swimming for first time with toddler

[MKCH]

Hello!

I am taking my just over 2yo DD swimming for the first time tomorrow.

I have no idea what I'm doing. I mean I know what I'm doing, I'm a competent swimmer, but what do I do with her?!

I have a swimming costume for her, obviously. I have a swim vest for her - do I need this, or armbands? Is the swim vest a better idea as she's never been in deep water?

What else do I need?! I think a hooded towel maybe for when we get out the pool... and then do you wash them in the showers? Or take them home for a bath?
What do I do with her in the pool?!

Help!

I love swimming and took mine a lot when they were little - they're teenagers now.

My top tips;

• it's not about swimming at this age it's about confidence at this age enjoy splashing about blowing bubbles getting her comfortable that the water is fun.

Don't feel like you have to be in the water ages. When toddler is done or is cold then get her out.

Practical tips

Take 2 towels for her one for straight out that will get wet and one to keep her warm whilst you get dressed.

Wear something easy to throw on- I always wore flip flops even in winter (as long as you're not in the bus).

Enjoy it - this was probably my favourite toddler activity.

And sorry I wouldn't do a floatation for a first swim I would just hold her. When she gets confident to go alone then get armbands or a vest.

Swimming nappies! Never worth taking the risk of your child being the cause of a pool evacuation

Thanks @IsoIsobaby20 ! Really helpful things to think about. I totally forgot that I'd need to get dressed while she was right there next to me...! Ugh. I'm generally quite with it but have lost all my common sense it seems.

And yes @Hillbillyhotel I knew there was something I needed to pick up!! Thank you!

I would put on armbands, but she’ll probably want to cling on to you the whole time, but I like armbands incase I let go by mistake…!

I usually take a snack for while I’m getting myself dressed

Snacks and a drink for when you finish! Mine love swimming but are tired, thirsty and hungry afterwards.

And what do you do about washing? Do you shower them there or just dry them off and take them home for a bath? Or shower them at the same time that you shower?

She hates showers.... 🥴

Great, snacks and a drink, noted @OnceuponaRainbow18 @SparkleSky thank you!

I used these with my two

puddle jumpers

Meant it was so much easier to be hands free especially when one wanted to swim alone.

I also took toddlers towel pool side, and then discreetly took their costume and nappy off before putting a towel on them. I didn’t want a soaking wet costume to wet the towel.

My two didn’t like water in the eyes, so a shower was no good for them, but if yours is fine, you can give them a quick shower there. Otherwise it’s ok to wait until bath time that evening

Shower her with you as best you can . you really aren't going to put her down on the floor while you wash your hair, she'll be in the next county by the time you've taken the top off of the bottle, lol
My only tip would be to make sure she's wearing something should. I kept my little girl in a swim vest for ages as little ones are really slippery in the pool and the neoprene gave me something to keep hold of when she got excited and wiggily

My 2 year old loves showers so I actually let them shower whilst I get myself changed and dry my hair! I find it a faff so I try and shower them there so don’t have to do it again at home.

I’ve also got one of those towels they wear with a hood

If you are driving, put your cossie on at home and wear a onesie over it (or joggers and a hoodie, anything super easy) and flip flops/crocs. For DD, nappy and a onesie so then all you have to do at the pool is put a swim nappy and cossie on her.
Then getting out, don't bother showering, wrap her in a towel and ply with snacks, then you get dressed in minimal clothing, and then pop her nappy and clothes on. I have a hair turban for me so I don't drip, and drive home in that.
It is much easier to get bathed and dressed properly at home than in a pool cubicle with someone who is trying to leg it!

Just normal bath time before bed.

I get my lo out of her costume, put her hooded towel over her, sit her on a towel and then wrap another towel around her (she isn’t my first but easily gets cold) and give her a drink and a snack. I quickly dry and get myself dressed by which point she has finished her snack and then I dry and dress her.

In the water, just play. Whoosh her around, spin in circles, water confidence is everything. Take a ball, armbands, whatever. As soon as she looks tired or fed up, call it a day.

Take a snack for your LO for afterwards, whack a towel on her, plonk her on the bench while you get dressed. Don't bother with showers. Just get a bath at home if she hates showers. You want it to be a nice experience!

My toddlers never liked showers except at the pool :o I would just give her the option to run in, it doesn't matter if she won't.

If she is nervous at first when you are going in try not to panic. Just go in confidently and gently. Once the water is up to her waist (with you holding her) switch to playing some games for example splashing or playing with any toys in a children's area. If you are allowed to bring your own toys, a small plastic watering can or bucket is great.

If you have a pool with a wading area for toddlers that is a great one to start with.

You'll also need at least 1 swim nappy, (potentially 2 depending on pool) 1 normally dispoasable, then a neoprene one to go over the top. Don't put these on before you are at the pool as they don't hold wee, only poo.

Thank you all for your advice - it went as smoothly as I could have hoped!

She wore the swim vest but it was really useful - and she was a dream, jumping in from the edge of the pool, splashing, kicking... it was great.

Hooded towel straight out the pool, removed Cassie so she was just in the swim nappy, then when we got to the changing rooms she sat on the bench with a biscuit bar with another towel around her while I got dried (and used the hair turban that I haven't opened since I got it 3 years ago!!). Then dried her, jogging bottoms and sweatshirt on, and in the car.

Only things I forgot were the £1 coin for the lockers and my flip flops for walking from changing room to pool, which I definitely need next time 🤢 oh, and even though she was pooped she managed to 'forget' to have a nap.... 😂

Your advice was super. Thank you!

I'm glad you had fun xx

Sounds lovely OP-well done!