What does a baby wear when swimming?

[poppy]

This sounds like a silly question, but I want to take my 3-month-old baby boy swimming, and it occurred to me that I have no idea what the etiquette is regarding the most appropriate attire for a baby swimming in public! Obviously we need a swimming nappy, but should he be wearing little trunks as well? If so, where can I buy them? I don't think I've ever seen such tiny Speedos for sale!

I am thinking of going to the Jelly Babies sessions at Peckham Pulse - is this appropriate for a 3-month-old or will it be chaotic and overwhelming with lots of splashy and overexcited (but lovely) toddlers?

Any advice would be gratefully received!

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Poppy,

Lots of options, but I would recommend the Splashabout Happy Nappy. It is made from neoprene (i.e. wetsuit material), with ribbed cuffs at the waist and legs and will contain ANYTHING baby may do in the water. In a lot of pools in Surrey you are only allowed in with one of these types of swim nappy because of sanitation issues. Not yet the rules here in London but may well change at some point.

You can use the nappy on it's own, or over some kind of swim nappy (either a cloth one or a disposable one). Personally I've never bothered with either, if baby does poo in one, which is fairly unusual but can happy you can just turn the nappy inside out and rinse off / dispose of down the loo. Very easy to clean.

You get them in different colours and patterns boy/girl/unisex and different sizes but they come up quite snug so if in doubt go for one size up. Way better than any of the disposable swim nappies etc.

http://www.funswimshop.co.uk/splash-about-happy-nappy-swim-nappy-2-p.asp

Also, if swimming in a cold pool I can highly recommend the neoprene baby warma suits, but not needed in the baby pools around here (we use on in Spain in a very cold pool, despite the heat baby could only do 10 minutes without the body suit, but would happily stay in for 30 minutes with it on!

Molly

[Ruth_Baldock]

Great minds think alike, because I have been mulling over the same question for weeks! Jelly Babies is meant to be v good I've heard. We were going to take The Night Owl next week but then we had to have his 12 week vaccines delayed because we were both at death's door so will have to wait a while!

We have a swim nappy for him and a wetsuit type thing, because I am new at all this (slightly ridiculous now I think about it!) We also have an inflatable ring with a back on it.

The main problem is myself; if you're worried about the pool being crowded, wait 'till I show up and everyone will scarper at the sight of my lattice-pie esque stomach. Mmm, nice.

[poppy]

Brilliant, thanks so much Molly for your advice and the link, I have ordered a Happy Nappy!

Ruth, a friend of mine took her baby swimming this week and it really wore her out (the baby that is, not the mother) so you never know, perhaps it will do the same for our little night owls!

[curlykaren]

they only let in a certain number of people to jellybabies so its never too crowded, buy your ticket in advance to avoid dissappointment, if at all poss.

[snowboarder]

Re link between swimming and sleep...I can only say don't get your hopes up too much.....!

[curlykaren]

sb, you crack me up>:D

[Polly D]

Definitely book your ticket in advance for Jelly Babies. If you're a fusion member, you can book over the phone - if they ever answer it - but if not, you'll have to book in advance at Peckham Pulse itself. I think worth doing 'cos you don't want to psych yourself up, plan feeding around the timing of the session, pack your bags etc , only to get there and find you can't go in. It happened to us a lot and was quite dispiriting.

3 months is a great age for swimming and it definitely tired my son out. It really felt like the first grown up ish thing he did.

[poppy]

Thanks for the tips to book ahead - with the military style planning required to do anything these days it would indeed be disappointing to turn up and not get in. Don't worry Snowboarder, my comment about tiring my baby out was firmly tongue-in-cheek - seems he's a committed non-sleeper no matter what so if it does wear him out it will be a huge bonus...and I'll be block booking every Jelly Babies session going!