TTMA Baby Swim Gear

[gigi3126]

I know a bunch of us have been doing swim classes with the babies, so I've been wondering about what sort of pool/beach gear you think are must haves. I anticipate many hours at the pool this summer because J is non stop, but I'm worried that he won't want to sit in one of those baby floaties. Any suggestions?

[gigi3126]

Mar 6, 2016 15:52:40 GMT -5 budders said:

So, at swim lessons this week, we had the head of water safety for our town run the class. In addition to our typical swim stuff he quickly covered infant cpr and flotation devices.

He told us that inflatable swimmies are no longer recommended; I think he said they make the arms too tired if the child is in trouble. He recommends foam flotation devices, as they help keep the child in a better position and still allow freedom to swim.

By inflatable swimmies, do you mean water wings? I don't think J is big enough for those just yet, but good to know. I have friends who have this thing:

But I'm pretty sure my kid is too crazy to sit in one of those. What, specifically, did they recommend?

[gigi3126]

@imapenguin lol! It was a long but worthwhile read. Thanks for the suggestions on what to do with him in the pool. At the swim classes, it's mostly getting him used to going under and practicing with kicking. I just keep imagining how tired my arms are going to be. But I never thought about the stairs and practicing floating.

[trixi282]

All good things, all good things...

One tip from a STM to others: Swim diapers (whether disposable or reusable) are meant to be snug fitting and are only meant to keep poop in.

If you don't read the packaging, I can't tell you how many people in my first BMB got pissed off when their kid peed in the car on the way to the pool and the carseat was soaked because they had the swim diaper on already. Swim diapers do not, and will not absorb or hold in pee. Only poop. So... beware of pee pee after you get your kid dressed in their swim suits!

[gigi3126]

Mar 7, 2016 17:20:39 GMT -5 trixi282 said:

All good things, all good things...

One tip from a STM to others: Swim diapers (whether disposable or reusable) are meant to be snug fitting and are only meant to keep poop in.

If you don't read the packaging, I can't tell you how many people in my first BMB got pissed off when their kid peed in the car on the way to the pool and the carseat was soaked because they had the swim diaper on already. Swim diapers do not, and will not absorb or hold in pee. Only poop. So... beware of pee pee after you get your kid dressed in their swim suits!

Luckily, I'm a nerd who read the reviews for the swim diapers while I was ordering them, and someone mentioned the same thing. H was about to put one on before we left for class on Saturday, and I got to school him. I'm pretty sure he thinks I just happen to know all this random stuff. I'll let him believe that.

[beersandweirs]

So I am the palest of the pale and while baby is slightly tanner than me (not fair) I bet she will inherit my unique ability to sunburn on even the cloudiest of days... For that reason, does it make the most sense to just buy a suit that has long sleeves (like a rash guard) or buy a suit and rash guard separately, that way I could use just the suit when she is inside (like for swim lessons)?

[billyhorrible]

beersandweirs - I obviously don't have a girl, so I may be way off base, but if I did I'd put her in a 2-piece, rashguard on top, bikini style bottom. Coverage and easy changes if necessary.

[Widget123]

beersandweirs , I have been buying DD 2 piece suits with rashguard tops every year. Like this one from Gymboree:



NAF of one piece bathing suits. I agree with billyhorrible , it makes potty time easier.

ETA: Personally, I am more concerned about excessive sunburn around the shoulders than on the arms, so I don't opt for the long shelves.