What do we need for swimming?

Hey all! I'm thinking of taking DD (4 months) for her first swim and am just wondering what you recommend as far as the nappy goes. She poos very infrequently but when she does, it's MASSIVE and I would hate to turn the baby pool yellow!! Do I just put her in a swimming nappy (I presume you can get these for infants)? Or do you use a nappy cover / swimmers as well?

And is there anything else I need to know about taking a baby to the local indoor pool? Do I need to try and avoid getting the water in her nose / ears / eyes? What happens if she goes under the water briefly? Will she get too cold? Any issues you might have encountered or helpful hints would be much appreciated.

TIA :D

I've always had the girls in a swimming nappy (yes you can get them for infants/babies) and a pair of bathers (only cause they look so cute :D)
I've never put the girls head under water until they are 6 months old, but that's just my preference. Some say it's ok from 4 months, others say ok from 6 months. Are you taking her swimming lessons or taking her on your own? If you're taking her on your own, there's a few things you'll need to do to prepare her to go under water. Counting 1, 2, 3 then dunking under water is good preparation for them. Make sure she is used to the water before dunking under water though. You might need to go on a couple of different occassions before doing this. There are some great DVD's you can get to teach your baby to swim. Most importantly, have fun! :D

you can get cloth swim nappies at most online nappy stores...we only ever needed two (just in case ;))
Charlotte has never pooed in it though lol I bought her a rash vest top and she has bathers too, but just going in a nappy is fine.
I found the earlier you put their head unde the better - the earlier you do it the more readily they hold their breath properly too - something to do with the similarity to being in the uterus or something.
Anyway, she loves it!

Have fun, you will soon work out what she does and doesnt like

Talcum powder is good to help dry their skin properly, I am taking DD2 to swimming lessons they say you can start to put them under the water but you count to three and pass them over the water first. If they blink lots then they are ready to go under but you go under be dipping their forehead and then nose not just straight under.

Her skin will turn purple if she gets too cold just give her cuddles in the water to warm her up again.

Thanks girls. I'll investigate swimming nappies and maybe get a rash vest for warmth too.

Black_rose where do you go for swimming lessons? I'd love to do some kind of fun class for tiny tots. I found one for infants 6months plus at Ringwood but can't see anything about it on the Croydon pool home page.

they do them at croydon leisure centre and also at kingswim in chirnside. i think they have to be 6 months old