Swimming lessons

[Rosieroo]

I've put Ella on the waiting list for swimming lessons at our local indoor pool - we wont get a call til the end of the summer as they are so booked up. In the meantime after her first jabs we'll take her ourselves.

I've been wondering how I deal with her afterwards? Do we just shower together (i.e. rinse off) then I get her dressed and ready, then myself? Where do I put her if there isn't a baby unit?

 

[Lauz_1601]

i was thinking this myself, probably a nightmare lol. because like my hv said 2 me your dripping and freezing while you get baby dry and dressed first.
If there is a baby unit it may be easier to wrap baby up warm in a towl while you quickly dry yourself and throw some clothes on, then dress baby, otherwise you will be dripping on her! i dont know though i suppose this is easier said than done if baby is screaming. I guess it is a case of trial and error!

 

[Urchin]

When I took Mason as a baby I always tried to get in the "family" changing room. There should always be a baby unit so don't worry about that, just make sure you find it before you go in the water so you know where everything is.
While your swimming leave a big towel by the side of the pool so you can grab it quickly.
Grab a quick shower, with baby soap to get the chlorine off, then wrap them in another big towel. It is a pain as you will be freezing while you look after them and make sure they don't get cold. I would take plenty of towels, at least one for them side of the pool and one for after a shower, as well as your own.
A real plus is if you get the family room and turn the hand-drier on, I used to dry Mason under it
I work at a fancy gym so our family room has 2 hair dryers and I put them both on Max heat as soon as I get in the room hehehe.

Good luck you'll have loads of fun!

 

[lauramumof2]

I just get Jessica ready first when I come out. There isnt a family room at our bit and its really just a case of lying her on a bench ona towel and making do. Then I put her in her pram and sort myself. I never bother with a shower, I do that later at home.

Im sure baby will love the pool

Laura.

 

[Tiny Sue]

I wondered about that, and the chlorine? I wouldn't have worried much about it but OH has a thing about chemicals. Plus how young is too young? I wouldn't like her to forget the water in the uterus, some babies are born knowing how to swim. BUT I'm afraid of my life that she'd get a fright and hate water until it's too late. I had a bad fright swimming as a baby and it took a long time to get over the trauma and learn how to swim.

Sue

 

[Hypnorm]

i want to take ewan swimming too - but am a bit worried about dealing with him on my own - as i'm not water confident and would hate him to pick up on my vibes...

 

[beanie]

I was also worried about Seren being scared of the water, so have been taking her into the bath with me. I know it probably sounds stupid, and that a pool is oads bigger than my bath sadly, but I thought she would like the fact its deeper and I can get used to handling a wet baby. It is working, she always cried in her baby bath but loves bath times with mommy x

 

[minikins]

Hi,

I have been taking Dom since he was 3 months old at our local pool in the special babies pool.

The first time he cried but since then he loved it. I put him in a special baby inflatable seat.

It is a mare getting ready sometimes as you don't have enough hands but heres what I do.

Find a family change room
Lay Dom on the change unit or bench if no unit - on a towel or mat etc and give him a little toy
Take my kit off but already have swim suit on
Strip Dom off
Put gear on locker while holding Dom (this is the hardest bit and sometimes I have to leave some stuff and go back for it as I can't do it at once)
Go in the pool

And after

Change Dom first while I drip dry pretty much
When he is done I then do myself

It is a bit of a hassle and is easier if you have a mate with you so you can take turns to look after each others babies.

I don't really worry about the chlorine side as so many babies go and I have not heard any major health warnings, otherwise no one would go.

Enjoy they love it as time goes on.

 

[Lauz_1601]

my hv said you can take them swimming after their second set of injections. I take Ella in the bath with me wash her then pass her to oh, and she loves it, she only cries when she gets out!

 

[Rosieroo]

I take Ella in the bath with me wash her then pass her to oh, and she loves it, she only cries when she gets out!

Sounds just like my Ella!!