Baby swimming lessons - changing tips?!

[Gigi89x]

My DS is 6.5 months and today we a
Had his first swimming lesson, the pool is in a hotel so the facilities are not baby friendly. Open changing area with no changing tables.

I feel like it was quite a tiring and stressful experience (not the lesson but the getting changed)

There was nowhere to lay DS down except the floor on his changing mat and his mat got soaking wet as the floor was full of water from others prior.

Has anyone got any tips on how to make this any easier? Should i bring his car seat in? Would that help as to somewhere to put him?!

Bring his car seat or pram in.

I always go with - when you arrive get you ready first and then the baby. When coming out get them sorted first and then you.

Coming out I wrapped myself in a towel then got them completely dried and dressed. Then popped in the pram while I got sorted.

They don't allow prams inside the changing area as it is small but you are allowed a carseat, perhaps il do that next time but its so heavy to carry in!

Can you change him on your lap on a towel ? He is six months so can presumably sit up with an arm round him. Does he bear weight through his legs ? You could do a standing change.

He cant sit unaided, i could change him on my lap but think it would be quite difficult as the wetsuit (splash about) is so hard to get on and off!!

Do you think i should get him changed and then put him in the carseat? Then get myself dry? I felt like id run a marathon today after they recommended me getting ready first and DS was waiting on a nasty wet looking floor in his towel on changing mat and wetsuit. It was not ideal , i wish i knew all of this prior to booking the term!

I would take him in the car seat. Sort yourself then him. It would be easier if you had a rash vest and pants style costume rather than a wetsuit. He can even wear the top there and just change bottoms including swim nappy. After swimming change him on your lap on a towel, should be easy if you’re not wrestling with a wetsuit, then put him in the car seat and get yourself sorted.

Definitely the car seat even though it's literally a pain to carry in and out. Lay towels in it and put him in and get yourself dried off. Dry and dress yourself first and then concentrate on him. You said he is wearing a wetsuit that is awkward to get on and off, can you put something easier on him? Make it all as easy as you can and stick a nappy and a onesie or whatever on him for the trip home so no messing about with multiple items of clothing and if it's chilly just have extra blankets in the car. Don't do your normal dressing routine if that makes sense .

This, I think they just wore a swim nappy at this age. A wetsuit is only needed for the beach surely ?

Yes, after swimming you should get him ready then you. They get too cold otherwise.

Going in get you ready first. Coming out him ready first.

You can buy a child changing mat thing for the floor. But a spare towel would do. Lay it on the floor and lay baby down on there to change and be on while you get changed. And pack a plastic bag to put the dirty, wet floor towel in to take home and hot wash.

You have my sympathy, I remember being so stressed during changing times at the pool.

Honestly that sounds really impractical and not a place for baby’s. I’d go somewhere else.

Take one of those padded, plastic covered change mats with you and put it on the floor? Buy one just to use at the pool that you can just leave in the boot of the car.

My swim school has similar open changing rooms with just the floor, they put out bath mats for us, which meant you could then out the towel on top and it wouldn't soak through! Maybe if you can get a small easily foldable one it could be worth it!

This is why I stopped doing baby swimming. I felt like I had done 10 rounds with Mike Tyson by the end of it, DD1 was cold when we got out and screaming, I had to get myself dressed in record time and get out with sopping wet hair cos she was just absolutely done by that time, and it cost a fucking fortune and DD1 would have been just as happy being plonked in the bath with some bubbles for 20 mins. I honestly think it's a big con but some people do really love it for some reason. I did two sessions and never went back even though I'd paid for a term, I just couldn't face it.

Honestly I'd save yourself the money and go with your partner/husband at the weekend. So much easier in a family changing room with you all.

And the wetsuits are super annoying but they get freezing without them when they're so small, even in the warmer pools they use.

Towel for the floor, changing mat on top if needed, hooded towel for little one, towel for you. I get swimwear off both of us asap and wrapped in towels. Get little one dry and then I find I'm mostly dry myself by that point. I also bring a water cup/toy for distraction. Car seat is fine short term but it won't be long until baby is too heavy. Personally I found the stage where they're pulling up/moving much harder. Also only ever used a happy nappy rather than the wetsuit.

Same here @Clefable…. And it just seemed to get harder as he got bigger and more mobile, not easier which I assumed it would.

No tips OP. I used to whip my costume off and chuck trackies and a hoody on, no underwear. Sorted myself out at home.

Get one of these soft bucket things. Put it on the floor. Wrap baby in a towel in it. Dry and dress yourself, then get the baby dressed. Brilliant on the beach or scratch grass too.

Put your swimming costume on under your clothes before you leave the house. Baby wears a warm onesie with a zip fastening and a thick cardigan or hoodie over the top.

Bring a roll up neoprene changing mat into the changing room with you. Put baby on mat on the floor while you whip your own clothes off. Then quickly remove baby's onesie and nappy and pop a reusable swim nappy on. They won't need anything more than that to swim in an indoor hotel pool. Certainly not a wetsuit.

Put all your dry clothes and a spare dry towel in one bag and bring your changing mat, a towel for you and a towel for baby to the pool side with you.

Swim. Avoid putting your head under the water if possible.

When you get out, have a quick rinse off in a warm shower with baby in your arms. Wrap baby in a towel (those wearable poncho ones with arms are great). Wrap self in another towel.

Put baby down on the changing mat on the floor, dry off with towel, nappy on, onesie on, cardigan/hoodie on. Leave baby on floor while you do a lightning quick rub down and speed change.

Bung all wet stuff in one bag, pick baby up, go

It will always be a mega faff but it will become automatic and quicker.

Have a folding changing mat you can put in the wash after.

Can you change your baby poolside and just yourself in the changing rooms? That's what I do, it's warmer poolside and there's more floor space.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bumbo-Babysitter-Hemlock-Green/dp/B083SHYJQW/ref=ascdff_B083SHYJQW/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=435694338120&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15469093661073044288&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006715&hvtargid=pla-918191741909&ref=&adgrpid=104110092191&th=1

Is invest in something like this.

Can be used anywhere including as a booster at restaurants etc.

I honestly think swimming lessons are too much hassle with a baby this age. And doubly so when the venue really isn’t set up to make things easier for parents.

I’m relieved to see a few fellow sceptics on the thread. I’m really not convinced that the enjoyment DS gets from splashing in the training pool is worth his obvious discomfort at being changed. It’s great on holiday where I have the space to get him changed in the sun, but a wet and dirty leisure centre changing room…

Sounds like real faff! Can you try the wetsuit things that just wrap around their torso and have Velcro - will be easier to get on and off. Take the easiest cloths to get on and off for both of you. I keep forgetting but try to tie your hair up high and avoid putting your head under.

if you want to keep swimming i’d look at other venues after the current term is up. The leisure Center pool I use is warm enough without a wetsuit and the changing area has changing tables and allows prams so it’s pretty easy for me (even if it’s not super hygienic to bring prams into the changing room). I take off her swimsuit and mine quickly then get her dressed and into the pram with milk or snacks while I get dressed.

On the subject of baby swimming more generally, I take my kids swimming because I want them to feel comfortable at the swimming pool and in the water. The first few times I took my son I remember it being stressful like people are describing, but the local pool is a bit more set up for it, with a couple of baby changing spaces and high chairs you can put babies who are capable of sitting up in while you get changed.

When we started baby swimming lessons it was on Saturday mornings and for the first year and a half or so my husband and I both went. It's much easier when there are two adults. I stopped going when my daughter was born and my husband continued to take my son alone but he was walking by then so whole different ball game.

But we have decided not to sign either of our kids up to baby swimming this year. Instead we have bought pool passes and will just take them to the pool in our own time. We came to the conclusion that whilst time in the water from a young age is important, baby swimming classes are an expensive gimmick. So maybe you could just take your baby to the pool at a time that suits you when your partner or another adult is available to come with you.

If you don't already have one OP get a really warm toweling dressing gown, you can put that on while you change baby after swimming.

Byt the time baby is changed you will be practically dry.