Want to take DS swimming - what do i need?

astonsmummy

Hi
I shamefully admit i havent taken my boy swimming yet - he's 2 and a half, anyways what do i need to get? obviously swimming trunks but do i get armbands too and is there anything else should invest in?

Becles

Is he potty trained yet? If not, swim nappies will be better than trunks in case he goes in the pool!

You can spend nothing or an absolute fortune really.

Expensive - various types of flotation vests

Middle - inflatable arm bands and polystyrene floats

Free - nothing and borrow floats from pool

As I'm a skintflint, I went with nothing and borrowed floats from the pool. Personally I think children learn how to swim quicker with no armbands at all, as they have to learn to hold their bodies properly in the water.

Once they were happy with floating in the water, I used the floats for them to hold on with their arms until they got their legs right, then I introduced what their arms should be doing. Once they knew it, I used to walk along next to them with my arms under the water holding them in position. When they looked confident, I sneakily took my arms away but kept moving next to them, and they soon got the hang of it.

Make sure he gets used to putting his head under the water from an early age. It stops the fear factor creeping in at a later stage, when they understand the dangers of water.

astonsmummy

Thnx becles, he's potty trained but he's probably be so excited and forget to tell me he needs a wee!
I reckon i could do without any of the armbands etc coz he's old enough to hold on to a float and obviously i'd be with him anyway, i am gonna get a cossie and trunks off ebay so wont be spending much either as i too am a skinflint!

Rachie_B

maybe borrow some flotation aparatus first before purchasing any, as different children favour different aids

my youngest likes armbands but my eldest never got on with them at all he likes just floats

Have a good time

raq

Don't worry you haven't taken him. My little boy is 3 soon and the only time he has gone swimming was 2 years ago on holiday. We would take him but as yet my daughter is still too young to swim on her own with myself and the little one.. Plus I also have a tiny baby recently. Myself and husband just have to take in turns. It's one of the main things on the calender this year for myself to have a day with the middle one and a day with the baby when the second oldest is in nursery. Such hard work......ummmm

pandas66

Both mine loved a float, they only needed a cheap pair of trunks (Woolies or Asda)
Both mine felt the arms bands got in the way and rubber rings were too big to be of any bouancy (sp) use!

Make sure you take enough towels for both of you, easy to put on clothes afterwards and a book or toy to keep him occupied while you quickly get dressed!
Have a drink handy too as its a thirsty atmosphere and the drinks can be silly money IME.
Ideally go the 1st few times with a mate or your Mum to help with the afterwards, getting dressed.
The baby pools are usually a little warmer than the big pool but remember you will be out of the pool more than him! Take a bath toy, our pool doesn't mind small inflatable balls etc. I remember 1st time I took eldest he screamed and screamed for 5 mins as it was so big and noisy! He said tell them all to shhh! We sat on the side for a while whilst he got his bearings!

astonsmummy

Thnx guys i think i'll get some cheap armbands just incase, cozhe is a bit of a pansie bless him!
I havet taken him yet coz i'm self consious about being fat but i think it will be a good bonding thng for both of us so am gonna try not to think about everyone staring at me.

Spendless

Take a snack with you. Mine are always starving after swimming and the vending machines can be expensive. Does the pool have a baby pool also? The ones that do I don't take anything with me for DD as she can happily stand up by herself and will play with the toys provided. I'd take arm-bands for her if we went to one without a baby pool as otherwise she just clings to me and won't try floats etc.

astonsmummy

Yes it has a baby pool, it's only about a year old.

Becles

astonsmummy wrote:

I havet taken him yet coz i'm self consious about being fat but i think it will be a good bonding thng for both of us so am gonna try not to think about everyone staring at me.

I'll be cross with you if you think like that

Go and enjoy yourself and don't give a stuff what other people think

wayne

Want to take DS swimming - what do i need?
lots of water.lol(would have added some laughing avitars but dont know how.