First time swimming, what to wear?

[Rainbow28x]

I haven't managed to take my toddler swimming yet as she was a lockdown baby and since I've had another little one. They are 2 years (just) and 4 months old.

Any advice on what they should wear swimming please? 2 year old is potty trained and only has the rare accident, so I was thinking just a little swimmers nappy and possibly a float suit as she hasn't been before? For the 4 month old a happy nappy, little swimmers and a full swimsuit or does he need a warmer suit? The water is 32 degrees 😊 Thank you!

32 degrees is perfect for them.

My DC (2&1) wear a full length swim suit (long arms and legs) but is made of normal swim suit material. A swim nappy, and a neoprene nappy cover.

I'd highly recommend a inflatable ring with a seat in it for your 4 month old so you can focus on holding 2 year old. I'd still put a swim nappy on your 2 year old as you never want to be the parent whose child poops in the pool 😂

Presuming you have a second adult with you because there is no way I'd take 2 little ones on my own.

id get a something warm for the little one. We did happy nappy and the baby wrap from splash about. The wrap was easy to get on and off.

you need a poncho towel for you so you can take off your swimsuit and chuck it on and then warm and dry to sort kids out

Are you going by yourself? Have you checked the swimming pool rules on ratio? In ours all 3 yrs old and under need 1:1.

2 yr old - swim nappy and swimming costume
baby - swim nappy and happy nappy

And snacks/bottles or boobs. They will be very hungry when they come out of the water. For toddler I would take of swimming stuff, wrap well in towels and give them a snack while you and baby get dressed and then dress the toddler.

I took two alone regularly but not till the youngest was about 8 months and oldest 3.
Getting them changed is tricky. Pull your costume off and wrap yourself in a towel. Otherwise you’ll wet the baby getting them dressed. Sit on the bench to sort the baby. Sit the older on the floor on a towel with a pack of raisins- I took Clinell hand wipes.
Then when baby dressed pop in car seat. Then change toddler and give another snack and sit them on the bench. Then yourself.

Oh and have a drink waiting in the car as you will be so thirsty after all the effort.

I just put my daughter in a normal swimming costume. The wetsuit types are a nightmare to get on and off once wet and a massive PITA if you need to change them mid swim.

OP you've bought back some happy memories with this post, best memory of first taking kids swimming is they sleep for ages after!

Mine wore swim nappies & trunks. I don't see the difference that wet swimsuit material makes to warmth, it's there for sun protection IIRC.

I used to take their dressing gowns for after, take off wet stuff & dry them, wrap them up snug as a bug with a snack and get myself dry & changed before getting the kids fiddly clothes on.

Yy to a float for the baby, you've got your hands full there OP!

My 3 year old wears a bikini and arm floaties. Easier to manage when she needs the loo.

She's been using the toilet for a a year so we don't use swim nappies.

When she was little she would have reusable swim nappy (invest - they fit them for years and around £13 for 2 pairs) and a swimming costume and a baby ring that she sat in.

We get changed into onesies. Use talcum powder after they've been dried to make sure they're really dry.

Snacks and drink for the car.

Separates are easiest for both the loo and nappy changes so I’d do bikini bottoms (or trunks if baby is a boy) and rash vest style top for both. Swim nappy for baby, maybe for toddler too if they have poo accidents, there’s no point if it’s wee since they don’t absorb it, which is why you don’t put the baby in one before you leave home! Arm bands for toddler.

Have fun!

Such good advice!!!

I find its easier to help babies in a swim suit style regardless as it gives something to get a grip on when they are wet as bare skin can be slidey!

Thanks all for the tips 😊 I'm excited, but scared not knowing what to expect at the same time! 😂
It's a 'play' session essentially for 0-3 year olds so there's going to be normal floats, music etc, but would anyone recommend a float suit/vest for the toddler as she may be a little scared to begin with?

Forgot to mention that my partner is also going to be in the pool as they want an adult per child. I'm thinking a float ring for baby is a good idea as he can kick around a bit more independently, he loves the water!

I'll be sure to pack lots of snacks, toddler gets very hungry even without the swimming 😂

I would get her the disc arm bands. Then maybe a noodle/woggle to put under her arms or ride like a horse. The pool might have some of those though.