I haven’t taken the little one swimming yet- she’s got her stylish swimsuit and seems to enjoy wearing it but a fashion show is as far as we have gotten. 
Before we start experimenting with the pool, I still have a few questions I am hoping people might be able to help me answer.
One: What do I use instead of a diaper? I have seen disposable swim-like diapers at Target and Wal-Mart but I’m not sure I am willing to spend money on those cheap. Is there something she can wear that is reusable?
Two: Has anyone taken their baby to a Waterbabies class? How did your baby do?
Three: When heading to the local pool, do you stay in the baby pool or do you sometimes bring your baby into the regular pool to float around?
Four: Do you use swimmies?
I appreciate any advice you can offer to this new mama!
Hopefully I won’t be seeing this face when we head into the water…
We’ve only been swimming once and it ended with a lot of splashing in my face
Kiddo was just 5 months when we went (we were visiting family in Arizona), and I got a reusable swim diaper off Amazon for about $10. I don’t remember which one I got, but I’m pretty sure it was the cheapest option. I was happy with it except that it said it was 6-9 month size and there is NO way a 9 month-old baby could fit into it (except maybe a very petit baby). At the time they didn’t have other sizes, so I’m not sure what we’re going to do come summer time. I’ve been told by other cloth diaper moms that you can just use a cloth diaper (really you just need to keep the poop in), but I’ve also heard that pool chemicals can cause the diaper to break down. So, having a cloth diaper set aside just for swimming might be an option (and you’d want to wash it separately from the rest of your everyday diapers). We use Fuzzibunz which are the pocket kind, so they might make more since than the gdiapers for swimming, but I’m also not sure that’s what we’ll use because I really don’t want to ruin my Fuzzibunz (they are expensive and therefore extremely precious in our house).
The pool we went to was just a neighborhood pool, so there wasn’t a baby area. Kiddo wasn’t all that into it and wouldn’t let anyone but me hold him. It was kinda cold and windy the day we went, but the pool was heated, so he didn’t mind the water, but just didn’t want to play. Being his first time too, I’m pretty sure he didn’t know what to think. But it didn’t end with screaming, which is what I was expecting based on our history with a bathtub, so all-in-all I thought it was a positive experience.
I think that’s about all the help I can be right now, so I hope it helps
We haven’t started swim classes (and you just reminded me that we need to do that soon), and I hope that goes well for you. She’s super cute in her suit!
Wow- thank you so much for your help! That is really good information and good to know about sizing for the reusable swimming bottoms. I would have never thought of using a cloth diaper- that is an interesting idea too. I’ll be sure to update after we actually give it a shot although I’ll be waiting until after Memorial Day since I think that’s when our pool opens. Thanks again Bobbie!
Oh, Lula, you are so adorable! I’ve heard they have reusable cloth diapers for swimming, but don’t know much about them myself yet. My mom-in-law bought me a pack of disposable, so that’s what I’ve used for the only 2 times H has been in the pool. Also, yes, I think you bring them into the big pool with you. YAY for summer fun!
Awwww, thanks Brittany! Thanks for the information about disposable diapers. I suppose if we end up going once a month or something, that would work really well for us. I am so excited for summer with a baby- even using a kiddie pool here at home will be fun!
I never went swimming a lot with my children when they were babies, so a pack of 10 disposable nappies, kept me going for the whole summer season. So cost wise it worked out well for me. I do not know of any alternative, sorry.
I never let my children when they were babies, swim in the baby pool only. I had a round chube that went around their middle that kept them afloat when I take them to the normal pool. So it was very convenient for them to float around with me in the normal sized pool.
Have fun with the swimming.
Ooooh, I like the idea of an inner tube to keep them bobbing around in the water, that’s a really good idea.
I take Charlie to baby swim on Wednesday nights. He has loved it from the get-go! I think it is great because if I keep bringing him to the pool on a weekly or even monthly basis, I don’t think he will ever be afraid.
We don’t use swimmies, I just hold him the whole time. Maybe if we were in a baby pool or something I would put swimmies on him.They do have really great tubes for babies where it is like a seat that they sit in and float. like an inner tube.
I use the disposable swim diapers even though they are expensive. Not sure of another way to conquer it.
good luck it is sooo fun!
That’s good to hear how much he likes it- I too want Lula to be happy in the water, not fearful.
That tube sounds cool- I need to check out Amazon for one of those!
Thanks for the information!
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