Baby swimming tips for managing poor changing room facilities safely

[bexface19]

Does anybody take their baby swimming and have any hacks or advice for poor changing room facilities? last time I went i had to change my little bit on a cubicle bench and then stand surg my leg up against it to stop him falling off while I got changed myself which obviously wasn't very safe and well become less so as he is very close to rolling and becoming more wriggly.

There are 2 baby changing tables but these are not in cubicles and they're are 2 play pen style things but again these are not in cubicles either and I can't imagine any body having their child in one abd leaving them unattended while getting changed in a cubicle.

I was not able to use a changing table because it was so busy when I was there.

So back to my point... any hacks to make this easier and safer? I want to continue taking him to the pool but this is putting me off!

Thank you x

Change him on the floor. I used to bring a portable changing mat and then wrap baby like a baby burrito with folds of towel under arms and between legs, and if old enough gave them a snack. I'd then quickly get dried and dressed (wear loose fitting clothes so that it doesn't matter if you're slightly damp) and by the time you've done that baby will be dry and you can just whack a nappy on and dress them.

what I do is get changed myself leaving children in the stroller, then change children poolside where I can give my full attention. I’m not in the uk though so not sure if this is practical.. we don’t have cubicles here, just a big room for changing.

I bring my pram in, but a car seat would be better. Wear my swimsuit under my clothes - loose trousers and either a jersey dress or a loose long top.

I put my towel in the floor, then change baby on a portable changing mat on top of my towel (to cushion it).

After swimming - get baby in a towel, quickly get your swimsuit straps down and put your loose top/dress over the top, whip swimsuit off.

Edit: you need a dry top half I found because otherwise I would inevitably change my DS into dry clothes, then pick him up and soak his clothes with my swimsuit.

Now change baby - get them in a fresh nappy and if they're likely to nap after, I used to put mine in a zip up sleepsuit as it was fastest (our swim lessons were in a primary school so we had to be walked out ASAP). Once baby is dressed and dry, strap them into pram/car seat if they're mobile. Then you finish getting dressed and go.

Yes, on the floor is the way. I had a big neoprene changing mat I could put down (and which could go in the washing machine later). Hooded/poncho style towel for yourself so you don't freeze to death while getting baby changed. Keep a clean towel to one side to put baby on (still on the floor) once baby is dry and dressed, so you can get changed yourself.

Also... I would get dressed into the bare minimum that is required to get home. No need for full make up and skinny jeans etc (showing how old my babies are with that I think lol) - nice easy jogging bottoms and sweatshirt is all that is needed. You can get dressed properly at home. Dryrobes didn't exist when mine were this little but if they had, I think I'd be tempted to invest in one to make life easier.