It is the first day of summer officially, and here in my home state, it is definitely warm! My kids have been begging me to take them swimming. So, when a friend invited us to their neighborhood pool, I decided to drive the 20 minutes out to her house for a swim. I was a little worried about how it would go with trying to remember everything I needed for myself and three kids at the pool. Trying to remember everything you need for a baby is hard enough!
When we got there, I got my kids all lathered up with sunscreen. Then, I had to warm my baby’s bottle. So, I let my 3 year old play on the steps close by while my 5 year old took off with her floaties on. After the baby finished his bottle, I stuck his little feet in the water. He started to cry. It is funny because my daughter had the same reaction the very first time she was at a swimming pool. It is hard for babies to understand why the water is so cold when they are used to warm baths. After a while, he got used to it, but I have to admit that I didn’t get much swim time in with the other two. Much of my time was spent taking care of my baby on the side of the pool who didn’t want anything to do with the water. If you’re planning on taking your little one to the pool this summer, make sure you have everything you need to make it a fun experience. Here are a few ideas of things your baby might need to make your trip to the pool easier:
Sunscreen
Hat for baby
Sunglasses
Extra swim diapers
Pack n play with toys if you are going to be there all day. Bringing some sort of shade for baby is even a better idea! I used my stroller for him to sit in when I wasn’t with him.
A float like this one for baby to stay close by you.
Extra warm towel and change of clothes for after baby gets wet
Lots of baby wipes. If the baby happens to go in his diaper, it can be very wet and messy. Make sure to have plenty of wipes on hand.
We had a good time, but it was a lot of work too. All of the kids crashed in the car on the way home. Next time, I think I will take another adult with me. There are a lot of things to remember, but swimming can be such a fun experience with your baby. Just remember to stay cool, wear sunscreen, and be safe!