Swimming with a baby

[Islandme]

I've over thought things so I am now stuck. I want to take my DD (14months) swimming, but how?

So I'll go with swim stuff on underneath so just have to get baby dressed. Then how do I even get in the pool with her? And then getting out? Who do I dry first? If I wrap her up and start drying her surely I'm going to drip all over her, and then if I do myself first surely she will be cold?

Apologies....

I always did baby first then me. Stand to one side or have a towelling wrap on you so you do not drip, but definitely dry and dress her first then you. :)

You are overthinking right now- once you have done it the first time you'll be fine!

also- do you have baby swim classes where you are or a child's pool that has sessions? Best to do that and there will be others you can watch / copy.

Have fun! That's important too.

It won’t be as hard as you think. You can wear your swimwear and then just get DD changed but it only takes another minute to get yours on so no big deal either way. When we get out I quickly take off my swimsuit then get her dressed then get dressed myself. The pool I go to gas a warm toddler pool with steps going in so it’s easy to get in and out while holding a baby.

I remember thinking exactly those things (17 years ago!).
Basically accept it's all a bit messy and non-perfect, but the priority is have fun and not to drop the baby at any stage!

You'll be fine (and people will be here any minute to tel you exactly how they manage it, I'm sure.....

(Oh it's far harder in many ways when they're 5 and moaning)

I bought a poncho towel for both me and DS, put the towels on both of us. Dry him enough to put a nappy on, then leave him in a nappy and a towel having a snack (something they like and can eat without much assistance). Then I get myself fully dried and dressed, then him.

This worked for me as by that stage DS was very mobile and still works now at 2yrs old. If I got him ready first he’d have been opening the door and walking back to the pool while I was changing!

As others said, it's not as hard as you think. On the way in get her dressed first, then you. On the way out get you dressed first then her (otherwise they just get wet again from messing around on the floor while you get dressed). Don't overcomplicate it. I just took one towel that we shared to reduce the amount of stuff and didn't bother with proper showers, just a quick rinse and then she has a bath again in the evening as part of bedtime routine. I really enjoy taking our daughter, hope you have fun :)

Wrap baby in towel and then remove your swimsuit and wrap yourself in a towel. If you bought a light weight dressing gown for hospital which you never wore put it on top of your towel and tie it to hold your towel up. Dry baby’s bum and put on nappy then give them some milk or snack as they will be starving. Dry and dress baby buy which time you will be dry so you just need to pop on your clothes.

Ah thank you 😊 🥰 I'm going to brave it next work when DP goes back to work