Locker Room Logistics for Baby Swim Classes

[TSomm]

So we've been considering taking some baby swim classes as my DD loves the water and I think it would be a fun activity for the both of us.  However, my big hangup is the locker room logistics.  How do I keep my crawler from moving around while we get changed?  It kinda creeps me out to think she'd be on the floor of the locker room.  Ew!  Tips?  Advice?

[MeepyCat]

Well, I won't say it's easy, but it is certainly possible to get dressed without putting a baby down.  I suggest scoop-back one piece bathing suits for mama.  Go to the gym already dressed, with swimsuit under your clothes (make sure your shirts are loose).  Strip off excess clothes one-handed at gym.  After class, remove swimsuit one-handed (this is why scoop back), and wriggle into dry clothes.  IME, the real challenge is getting the first foot through the leghole of your panties while holding them with only one hand, without looking down.

Alternatively, put a towel on the floor for the babe, chuck a simple toy (or an additional child) onto it, and change fast.  Or, and this option is easier after you've spent a while seeing what a crawler can and will get into:  remind yourself that it's only dirt and that your kid will get/has gotten into worse.

[Baby_Cakes]

DD was walking, but I still didn't want her all over the place, especially not with bare feet.  I just sat her on a towel on the bench after class.  I stood in front of her, changed out of my suit quickly into dry clothes, and then changed her all on the bench.  Oh -- and right after class we would just jump into the shower together, hose off, and then do all this.

I got us in our suits before leaving the house.  Made it MUCH easier!

Oh, and bring plastic bags for the wet clothes!!

[MamitaM]

Thanks for this post. I'm thinking of taking baby and mama swim classes too and hadn't though about how I'd get changed after with out him rolling away on me.

[woodchick]

I used to put my babies on the diaper changing table (the kind that fold out from the wall) and strap them in while I changed quickly. Or even just stood really close to them while changing.

I always put my suit on at home but not the baby, because I wanted to keep them in a regular diaper for the drive to the pool and then change into a swim diaper.

[Altair]

We went to a baby swim class with a very small and very crowded locker room and it was quite miserable!  We always had our suits on before going, and after class we'd strip in the shower, I'd wrap myself up in a towel, then *really quickly* take off my towel near our locker and lay him down on it and kind of block him from moving, really quickly put my clothes on, then dress him.  I had to suck it up and be naked it was too crowded to do anything else. 

[sapphire_chan]

It's possible to change out of a swimsuit and into dry clothes while nursing a baby.

It's a lot harder to convince a crawling baby that it isn't time to crawl right now.

Altair's strategy is going to be your best bet.

[PatioGardener]

My friend put her little one (4-12? months) in a bumbo-style chair while she changed.  bulky to carry, but she liked the fact that her baby was safe while she changed quickly.

nak

[tzs]

i just let mine be and kind of blocked her. BUT the room was super duper cold so i'd recommend extra towels just for keeping her/you warm just in case.

it was worth it though. we're doing it again this winter.

[Peony]

We go to the rec center which has a decent sized locker room. When I have a baby then it either bring in a stroller to stow baby during the locker room time or bride older child to sit and hold baby. It is easier before they sit up to just lay them on a towel on the bench with a knee against them while throwing clothes on. But when they start sitting up, being more mobile it is harder and with older children who need dressing help. hence the baby containment device I bring in, and it also hauls all the gear so I don't feel like a pack mule. 

[TSomm]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!  I think our best strategy is going to be a towel on the floor, blocking her in, and throwing a new "toy" at her.  Be it my cell phone or some other gadget she's never seen before.  I should be able to get changed in that time frame. 

[MeepyCat]

Originally Posted by TSomm 

Thanks for the replies, everyone!  I think our best strategy is going to be a towel on the floor, blocking her in, and throwing a new "toy" at her.  Be it my cell phone or some other gadget she's never seen before.  I should be able to get changed in that time frame. 

Be careful with the cell phone.  I found out about a year and a half ago that my two year-old had been sending pictures by pressing buttons at random.  Thank god the first person in my phone book is a really good friend.

[time4latte]

The Y I used to go to allowed strollers in the building. I used to bring the stroller right into the family changing area so he was strapped in while I got changed. We'd shower together and then I'd get him dressed, put him in the stroller with a toy, and get dressed. I don't use my stroller all that often, but this was definitely a plus. I wear him most of the time, so it also gave him a view he wasn't used to.

[megapeg]

Seems to me that this is when a cheap umbrella stroller would come in quite handy!

[~Amy~]

Our Y has a Pack N Play in the family locker room for this reason.  Lots of parents bring in the infant carseat too, especially this time of year since it's really cold here.

[TSomm]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and advice!  We started our first day of classes today and had great fun.  The center had 2 family changing rooms and they have a nice wide padded bench that she hung out on while we changed.  I also brought the umbrella stroller with me just to make it easier to haul stuff around.

She hates being changed/getting dressed so her cries echoed a bit and caught her off guard.  She then stopped crying and played with the echo sound with her voice.  ;D

[Adaline'sMama]

nak.

 I just wanted ti chime in and say that in our locker room we have half lockers and I totally put dd in a locker while im changing. I just set her there with a toy or something and stand righ in front of it so she stays seated and cant fall out. Ive gotten some weird looks, but to me, its better thn having to chase her while im naked.