First Swim

EmmaD312

My sister will be in town this weekend and she's staying at a hotel with a nice pool. She wants us to take our babies for a dip, but my 9 mo. LO has never been in a pool or big body of water--though he loves his sink baths. I bought a swim diaper--any tips on other gear I need or how you safely handle baby in/around a pool?

zazu13

I'd hold the baby the whole time and put a life jacket on the other unless you have another adult to watch him/her. I would only be comfortable with a1 to 1 adult: kid ratio with non swimmers. We took our girls for the first time this week and they loved splashing and kicking

Teresa1896

We've taken both of our kiddos swimming a bunch as babies. Dd started swim lessons at 6 months. We just get in the pool and hold on to him the whole time. We help him float on his tummy (which he does naturally) and back. He loves to splash! I don't think you need any other gear or toys-a baby would just throw it anyway!

katy4128

We go swimming once a week! I also recommend the swim shirt. It makes it way easier to hold on to them. My little guy loves the water. He dunks his own face in! Most importantly, have fun!!

Edited: submitted too soon

Talltrees82

If he loves his baths, I'm sure he'll love swimming! Like PPs said, all you need is a swim diaper. I usually put LO in a swim shirt as well. He was in the lake this summer and swimming lessons this fall. You can hold him the whole time and do tummy float, back float, "jumping" off the side into the pool, kicking, splashing, "swim" to a toy. I always brought the stroller with me and left it in the change room so I had somewhere safe to put him while I got dressed myself.

Suzanne237

Sunblock, rash guard, practice splashing in tub then splash in pool. And bouncing bouncing! Have fun!

yellowflower15

Something I learned the hard way, but probably should have realized... Swim diapers are really only meant to hold poo, not pee. So don't put the swim diaper on until you get to the pool or are almost at the pool! Don't put it on and then drive to the pool like I did! Nice time cleaning the car seat