Baby Swimming

[bednobs]

Taking my 14 month old swimming for the forst time - what equipment/ stuff will i need? Any tips?

[sherrardk]

Swimming nappy is a must. Be prepared that the pool won't be any where near warm enough. Think where you will put the baby when you get dressed/undressed. Think through everything that you normally do when going swimming and how you will do it with a baby in tow (for example, you will have to dress the baby before yourself). Is there anywhere to safely leave the buggy? How will ou put your stuff into a locker - where will the baby be at this stage? Apart from that, have a fab time!!!

[bednobs]

when you say not warm enough, do you recommend one of those wet wrapt things? I am lucky in that we are going as a family, so we can take it in turns to hold her

[sherrardk]

No, you don't need a special suit. Is just that you remember the baby pool as being really warm, but it's not as warm as you think and as grown ups you are not moving around much (the baby won't care) and you are not covered by mush water (as there is only about three inches of it).

[Jeza]

I started taking my son swimming at 3 months. He loved it. It was over 40 years ago though. Maybe elf and safety don't allow that now.

[bednobs]

it's health and safety. It seems unlikely, as there are baby swimming sessions at the pool

[sherrardk]

We have had terrible trouble sometimes as some places won't let you take a certain number of children under a certain age. Have had to lie before now and say that the things were older than they were. Have a nice time.

[Jeza]

I see you haven't regained your sense of humour bednobs. It was supposed to be a joke.

[bednobs]

how is it funny then? perhaps if you explained it to me i might "regain" my SOH?

[k8bailey]

we used something like this for ours when they were smaller
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/110735.htm

Talc, snack and drink. Also my smallest daughter hates being out with wet hair so I always put a hat on her.

Have fun!

[k8bailey]

I just re-read that....I put a hat on her to go home, not in the pool!

[ummmm]

I used to use one of those baby rings that k8 posted a link to. They are great. Also used to take some toys.

[belrec]

the swimming part will be fine it is the getting out routine that will be the most traumtic (for you :-))

usually there will be a playpen for little ones so you can plonk her in there after she is dressed. Definitely take a snack and a drink, it sometimes helps if it is a treat that you wouldn't normally give as then she will be extra good to get it.

take the baby's towel into the pool area, there is usually hooks or something to leave them as she will get cold straight away out of the water.

try and relax and have fun though it is a good experience.

Good luck and let us know how it goes xxx

[bednobs]

thanks :)