Swimming with Toddler

[Bubba82]

ok so i'm gonna take Franky swimming tomorrow for the 1st time, but do i need to get him armbands? or have him just clinging to me?? i really am clueless about it all?? and how long max should we stay in the water?? heeeeeeeelp

[mummydotty]

I would get him armbands then he'll feel a bit more secure & might not cling so tight to you & I would say stay until you have prune fingers, of course it always depends how warm the pool is & how much he's enjoying it. I also take a snack for them to eat once they are dressed (it helps to keep them still whilst I get dressed)

[Claire76]

Yeah I would use armbands, always have with Finlay, just gets them in the habit of knowing they must use them when it's swimming time. And stay as long as you're both enjoying it and not getting too cold. The pool I take Finlay to is so lovely and warm it's like getting into a bath but whilst Finlay would stay all day, my limit is about 45 mins This one also has slides and sprinklers etc, if just a plain pool and just swimming only, I would say 20 mins maybe for his first time xx

[sarahdavid]

We didnt have armbands the first time Finn went as a toddler but like Claire said it's a good idea to get them used to them. Finn loves his armbands and has goggles too, lol, doesn't need them but gets so excited about wearing them!
Time wise, just as others have said, ruby is usually in 15-20 mins, then oh follows with Finn when he's had enough.
Enjoy! X

[daisy duke]

We used armband the first few times we went, just helped her confidence till she got used to it and also made me feel more secure about her staying above water! We usually go for about and hour, was probably a little less when i first started taking her, but Liv loves the water and if she had her way she'd stay in all day! We usually get out beacuse im cold, not because she wants too!

[DrP]

Definitely armbands till he's used to it. I started Freddie without, but he was only a couple of months old at the time. Once he was old enough to swim solo I got some for him. Now we use them but we also have a few try at floating without and swimming without with me holding him up so he gets used to how he is supposed to swim in the future. Our pool is really warm so we can stay in for an hour or more depending on how the kids are getting on.

[Bubba82]

ok so this is gonna sound really dense i fear, but if he doesn't have armbands on is he gonna sink?? lol i can hear you all laughing at me!!

i had a look in tesco but couldn't see any, though i guess the pool will sell them?? but i also think he's gonna freak out at having armbands on!!

i spoke to my local pool and they only have one big pool that everyone uses, no baby pool and def no slides or anything fun!

[LittleMissMe]

yes he will sink if you let him go! at first dylan wouldnt wear armbands just clung to me, but he was only a few months old. Now he needs armbands cause he just goes off forgetting he cant swim! I'd get arm bands and let him in the pool without first so he gets used to it, when he sees Mia and other kids with them on he'll probably want them too.

[éinínsmom]

He'll sink if you let him go!!

I'd bring armbands so you don't have to hold him the whole time and he'll get used to that.

When we first brought Éinin we didn't use armband but she was only a few weeks, when she was older we got her armbands and then took them off when she was three and now she can swim by herself!!! Proud mummy moment!!!!

I'm sure he'll have a great time, and you

[rachaelmae]

My pair don't have armbands and they survived