Come and tell me about taking a 6 month old swimming

[VacantlyPretty]

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I love that you've mentioned the costume first!!! I'm still making do with my maternity one!!

I take DS in a sling, although I have taken a buggy once and left it in the spectator bit by the pool (just put valuables in the locker)

With steps... hold DS in one hand & rail with other(?) I wouldn't attempt one of those ladder things on my own though. Babies get cold quickly so aim for a 15 - 20 min session max.

My DS gets very cold when we get him out of the pool. Take a spare towel for beside the pool to wrap him in, and, if the changing rooms are particularly cold, consider undressing/drying him off in the pool room (we've got loungers and chairs by the pool side)

Depends what facilities you have really?

Also... Don't bother trying to get showered etc, just get dressed best you can and sort yourselves out at home!! (now he's older, I take my DS in the shower with me, although its still only for a quick rinse!)

Good luck... you will both love it!!

Hi, I have just started to take my dd swimming, she is 7 months. I take her in the car seat and leave this by the pool side with a towel in for when she gets out. I wear my flip flops and leave these by the car seat, I'm very nervous about slipping with her.

I take two towels for her and one big one for me, get her dried and changed first then myself.

I have seen other mums take pushchairs and they leave them in the changing rooms.

I also take her changing mat with me, it squashes up into a carrier bag, its easier to get her changed on that on the floor rather than waiting for a changing table to be free (I take her to swimming lessons so there are lots of other babies there at the same time).

It was a bit faffy first couple of times, but we are use to it now, she loves it.

I'm sure you will have a great time.

p.s don't forget your pound for the locker.

LEave the buggy in the car, they get horribly in the way.

A disposable swim nappy with a neoprene 'Happy Nappy' over the top is supposed to be bomb proof. We're doing Water Babies and that's what they recommend.

Feed 1.5 - 2 hours before swimming.

Take a change mat.

Take the baby's towel to the pool side.

To get into the water, lay the baby on the edge of the pool at right angles, feet facing the water. Sit down next to him (keep one hand on him all the time!). Slide yourself into the pool and turn 180 degrees as you do it so you end up facing your LO with one hand either side of him. then pick him up and bring him into the water with you.

He'll be very tired and hungry afterwards!

These are great for babies:

what fun

OMG linked the wrong thing, wait a minute.

How did THAT happen?

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that's better

when you come out make sure baby is warm and cosy and safe on the changing thing and get yourself dried and dressed then you can concentrate on baby

only stay in for 15mins max as they get v cold quickly

we had a swim seat thing too they are great fun

get life guard to hold lo while you get in and then pass him to you. Safest and easiest way

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am ROFLing at my random links.

At least I'm not advising people to elf-refer to Hometart today. That was probably my finest moment.

Enjoy the swimming.

Don't be so cantankerous.

Great tips = car-seat, changing mat, hooded towel and a dressing gown for yourself in the changing room.

If it's lessons, you hand the baby to the instructor, while you get in.

My pool has a buggy parking area; you'd have to be a fairly intrepid thief to nick one.

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get baby seat and put babe in water in seat then get in yourself

or just hold baby and go in shallow end

i think i just used to hold baby and get in carefully