How to take a baby to the pool in just 21 steps

next
Chat with Sonia Kashuk

We took David to the pool for the first time this past weekend. The ratio of time spent in the water to time spend prepping for the pool was . . . well . . . large.

If you want to bring your baby to the pool, just follow these steps.

1. pack 3 bags of necessary supplies when going over to someone’s house (in this case, an apartment). This includes but is not limited to:

pack n’ play, 2 blankets, 6 diapers, wipes, 2 bottles, formula, purified water, tylenol, 8 burp cloths, 6 bibs, spare change of clothes, 5 toys, random pair of socks from newborn days, snack for yourself, swim diaper, swim diaper cover, swim suit, extra swim diaper, extra swim suit in case of spit up, sun block, bath, bath towel, washcloths, shampoo and body wash, lotion, sleeper, sound machine, etc.

2. Arrive prior to nap time so child can take nap at destination, then immediately head to the pool after he wakes up from his nap (and by immediately I mean 45 minutes after he wakes because that’s how long it takes to gather everything up despite the 30 minutes you spent prepping prior to him waking).

3. Wake from nap, feed, then change into swim gear all while trying to avoid spit up.

4. Contemplate if it’s all worth it.

5. Decide it’s worth it.

6. Remember at the last second to put your own bathing suit on.

7. Begin your walk to the pool.

8. Realize the sun is gone and it’s drizzling slightly.

9. Begin to cry. Stay strong, swallow that lump in your throat, and walk through the rain to the pool.

10. Celebrate when the rain stops as you arrive to the pool.

11. Give youngins’ a glare for blasting rap music and disrupting this otherwise picture perfect moment you are sharing with your son whom you love and adore.

12. Find a chair, deposit all the bags and towels you carried.

13. Walk over to shallow end of the water and place your toe in to check the temperature.

14. Discover it’s rather cold.

15. Swallow lump in throat.

16. Reconsider whether all this work is worth it.

17. Decide it wasn’t worth it after all.

18. Hold baby who doesn’t have a clue what is going on and crouch down to let his feet touch the water because you didn’t go through steps 1-17 for nothing.

10258003_697040220342312_7862645733572756170_o

19. Make happy noises and celebrate even though baby isn’t dumb and doesn’t enjoy the sensation of cold water on his feet.

20. After 0.111567 seconds in the water, stand up with baby to remove him from the area.

21. Return to home, put that baby in a sleeper, and go get frozen yogurt. You deserve it.

comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Jessica Baker says · 05.14.14

David looks so precious in his little swim gear!

Reply
Arijana says · 05.14.14

I love you, Kate! Your post made me laugh but when my babies were David’s age I sure didn’t think it was funny!

Reply
Angela says · 05.14.14

This is hilarious, and oh so true! I hate to break it to you, but this does not get any easier even when they get a little older. You definitely get more used to the amount of stuff you now have to bring when heading to a pool or beach though. The things we do for our wee ones.

Sweet picture. Wish you and David many more “sunny” pool/beach days.

Angela
http://palsywalsyblog.blogspot.ca/

Reply
Mylene says · 05.14.14

I wanted to laugh and cry when reading this post! It is so true!!! I have a 3 year old and an 11 month old and even after 3 years, I still haven’t managed to leave myself enough time to get everyone ready when we have to leave for an appointment or an outing. My bags are ready and I just think ‘Oh, when the baby wakes up, I’ll just grab both kids and be out the door in a minute’…yeah, it NEVER happens like this.

I’m so glad you wrote this, you gave me a good laugh this morning! David looks so adorable in his swim gear.

Reply
Lexi says · 05.16.14

Oh sad but his fluffy leg rolls are adorable!

Reply
Christin says · 05.14.14

Loved it! Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Carolyn L says · 05.14.14

Uh oh… I’ve been looking forward to my almost 16-week old’s first trip to the beach next weekend… on a sunny, warm day, in his tiny whale swim shorts… and his navy hat. And in my dream, the Atlantic water temp is about 83. 🙂

Reply
Lindsay says · 05.14.14

Two words: snow clothes. There’s nothing quite so frustrating as the 47th time you’ve said to your toddler “push your foot in the boot.”

Reply
Kate says · 05.14.14

Oh I haven’t event thought about that!!

Reply
Lindsey says · 05.14.14

YES, snow clothes!!! And when you finally do get their foot in the boots and all their fingers in the gloves correctly, they tell you they have to go to the bathroom! It doesn’t matter if they just went before dressing because it took FOREVER to try and get all their snow garb on! HAHAHA!

Reply
Aleassa says · 05.14.14

Heeheehee. I always tell myself that as long as I get a good picture then it’s all worth it!

Reply
Rebecca Lately says · 05.14.14

Yup, that sounds about right. 🙂

Reply
Marissa says · 05.14.14

Thanks for the good laugh this morning 🙂 it’s so true! The frozen yogurt part was definitely a good call. And, David’s chunky legs are ADORABLE!

Reply
Nicole says · 05.14.14

That shark swim cap – ahhhh! For all the time spent, totally worth the picture with his adorable swim gear…and the fact that they highlight his chunky thighs is bonus. That David is precious!

Reply
ash says · 05.14.14

Ain’t that the truth!!

Reply
Michelle G says · 05.14.14

Oh – just wait until your first beach trip! That’s a fun one…..or…something like that. My oldest son was 4 months when we took him the first time. Most exhausting trip of my life. It’s all part of the fun though! You just look back and laugh – especially when you’re on child number three!!!

Reply
Jamie says · 05.14.14

Bahahahah…this brought back so many memories! I love you truth and you sarcasm both!

Reply
Divya says · 05.14.14

Your boy is so cute!

Reply
Kacia says · 05.14.14

hahahahah YES. those ROLLS!!!

Reply
Catherine R. says · 05.14.14

First, those thighs! I am in love! Second, where did you get your swim suit? The neckline and color are gorgeous!

Reply
Nicole says · 05.14.14

Is your swimsuit from Jcrew? It’s cute!

Reply
Connie says · 05.14.14

Love this… I was probably this cautious as a first time mom too. Now it’s take the bare minimum (diaper and swimsuit) and jump on in the pool. My girls LOVE the water.

Reply
Ashley says · 05.14.14

As a mom to 2 young children this is hilarious and oh so true! I can definitely relate 🙂

Reply
Angela R says · 05.14.14

So true! Love your suit by the way. Where is it from?

Reply
Cheryl says · 05.14.14

And so it goes for many more activities….often times it is when things don’t go quite as planned they become the most memorable.

Reply
Julie spady says · 05.14.14

I remember those days!! He is adorable! Since you changed your blog I have a really hard time reading it cuz of the font and background colors. Maybe it’s my old eyes. I wonder if anyone else has the same problem? I still read and love your blog !!!

Reply
Heidi says · 05.14.14

I laughed SO hard at this post! It is SO SO very true!!!! I am celebrating this year as it will be the first in 5 years we do not need to think of swim diapers. Yay!!!!

Reply
Lindsay @ The Newlywed Notebook says · 05.14.14

haha I love these! I don’t have kids yet but I nanny for two kids so I can totally appreciate this. 🙂 Hope you had fun – he looks adorable in his swim gear.

Reply
Gamze says · 05.14.14

Hang in there, it gets slightly easier:) I love those chubby baby thighs:)

Reply
Jamie says · 05.14.14

This may be my favorite post to date. HuffPost Parents needs to circulate this one! 🙂

Reply
Carrie says · 05.14.14

This is my favorite post ever! So true!

Reply
Natalie says · 05.14.14

I promise this is easier and more fun when they get older. The pool wasn’t really fun for us until recently at about 18m old. We just stuck to kiddie pools in the back yard rather than dealing with the ‘adventure’ of a hit or miss outing.

Reply
Mrs_Flipflop says · 05.14.14

Crying with laughter reading this. I was me every time I look my daughter to the pool. My husband has now taken over the responsibility and I get to spend some mummy time in the nearby coffee shop having some me time x

Reply
Erin says · 05.14.14

Hahaha! This is so true!! It gets easier. I remember being at our neighborhood pool with my 5 month old thinking, “forget this, I’m getting a baby pool for the backyard!”

Reply
Kym says · 05.14.14

So true, all of it. But what I really wanted to say was THAT HAT!!!! adorable!!!

Reply
Kerilyn Michaels says · 05.14.14

Luv the rolls on Davids legs!

Reply
Nancy says · 05.14.14

He is adorable! Oh how I remember those days, 13 years ago. Taking my beautiful baby to the pool was exhausting, but a great way to get out of the house. Enjoy your summer with him!

Reply
Tessa says · 05.14.14

Hilarious, and true. David is stinkin cute.

Reply
liz says · 05.14.14

Wednesday baby posts are my favorite from you!! I’m sure there will be a better experience in the future. 🙂

Reply
Crystal says · 05.14.14

OH. MY. GOSH. I LOVE HIS HAT!!!!

Reply
Traci says · 05.14.14

Hahahaha yes, this is about right!

Reply
Runt says · 05.14.14

Hahaha this is so funny! Every year for Memorial Day Weekend my husband’s side of the family goes to his grandparents house to celebrate their anniversary. It’s nice because all of the cousins get together again. They live on Smith Mountain Lake, literally. Their backyard is Smith Mountain Lake. We are so excited to go because a lot of the family will be meeting our little guy (four months old) for the first time. I was all excited to let him in the water and splash around and then someone had to mention bacteria in lakes and baby’s putting their hands in their mouths, and now I don’t know if I should let Peanut in the water! Gr!

Reply
Corir says · 05.14.14

It gets easier!! He is adorable and you look beautiful as always!

Reply
Marisa says · 05.14.14

Have you looked into a GoCrib? I got one for my nephew and it’s awesome and so easy to ‘tote’ around. it was a lifesaver for our trip to Hawaii and my sister still uses it on other trips. Also this DOES get easier after a few attempts! I used to nanny for a 5 month old and a 5 year old and we made many pool trips without tears – from anyone!

Reply
Carrie says · 05.14.14

Oh you brought back those memories so well….and at least now I can look back and laugh. You did get that perfect adorable photo out of the deal so that’s something, right?

Reply
Allison says · 05.14.14

I am in love with his chunky thighs!!!

Reply
Janet Smith says · 05.14.14

A very Happy Belated Mother’s Day to you! What a blessing!

Reply
Lisa Wild says · 05.14.14

This is funny, I found this very true, when they are little the smallest task or outing can be very difficult 🙂

Reply
Ashley says · 05.14.14

Haha! At least he was incredibly adorable in his shark swim cap!

Reply
Jessica Fisher Wetzel says · 05.14.14

That was hilarious. And true.

Reply
Rebecca says · 05.14.14

Okay, so I’m not a mom, but as I’m reading the part about the bags I thought to myself “wow, I’d be so under-prepared. I’d just put our swim suits on, grab a bottle, and head out to the pool!” Then I thought, “No, you’d be the person with at least 6 bags, taking the entire house just in case you needed something…get real.” If I ever do have children I think I’ll need a wagon, or a u-haul, to carry everything for the “what if” situations. Yikes.

Reply
Jenny Silva says · 05.14.14

Yup. Sounds about right. My son is 1 and it’s still the same thing.

Reply
Ashley says · 05.14.14

Yes!!!! And all the while your husband stands by asking why you need all that stuff….at least my husband. LOL

Reply
Carli Heringer says · 05.14.14

There are not enough words for how much I love this post. You speak the truth my friend. I’m pretty sure it goes about like this any time you try to go do something “fun” with an infant/small children!

Reply
Katy posey says · 05.14.14

Love this post! Speaking if going to the pool, I’m a c-section momma myself! Any suggestions on bathing suit shopping and where to find “appropriate” ones?

Reply
Patty says · 05.14.14

Hysterical and SOOOOO true!!!!

Reply
Erica says · 05.14.14

I love posts that bring a smile to my face. My husband and I are approaching the journey of parenthood and I love to read about the adventures you have had with your little guy! Way to persevere and try any way… I probably would have given up when the rain started 🙂 Thanks for the chuckle!

Reply
Meg says · 05.14.14

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for this post, I literally choked on my soda I was drinking after reading the first lines I was laughing so hard! Been there done that. Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Jenn - Endlessly Inspired says · 05.14.14

I cannot physically handle the chub rolls on his legs. They are beyond words phenomenal.

Reply
Sara says · 05.14.14

Yep, that’s about right. I love this post! As a Mom myself I’ve been there done that. I was laughing out loud while reading!

Reply
Bonnie says · 05.14.14

This is really how it is to go anywhere with a little one.

I have twins so it’s all the above times 2!

Reply
Diana says · 05.14.14

This was so great and so true!

Reply
Amanda says · 05.14.14

Lol, but it was totally worth it for that swim cap, right? So cute.

Reply
Rachel says · 05.14.14

I don’t have kids but THIS made me chuckle! Well done.

Reply
Maria says · 05.14.14

Your trip was not all for nothing. He looks adorable and he got to experience the pool for the first time!

I’m a first time mommy too, and I go through the same thought process you do when I do something new with my little girl. More often than not, they end up to be as similar to your experience. I swallow plenty of lumps in my throat and keep at it.

You’re doing a great job Mama, keep it up 🙂
-Maria
cmntsblog.blogspot.com

Reply
Liz says · 05.14.14

Oh I love your humor Kate. I had tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks. I had to share this post with my husband because we can totally relate. He says he’s getting a headache just reading this, haha. A+ for your storytelling abilities 😉
The unimpressed look on David’s face is just the icing on the cake!

Reply
Liz says · 05.14.14

Also, I really appreciate your honesty about the experience. You know some other mom bloggers would have totally played it up and glorified it with pictures of their “perfect” pool experience.

Reply
Sarah says · 05.15.14

oh my gosh, I really thought it was just ME! I have a 7 month old daughter and cannot figure out how to leave the house in a timely manner. I laughed/cried reading this! And I’m so relieved to read others have the same issues!

Reply
Sami says · 05.15.14

True story!!!!!

Reply
Boo says · 05.15.14

What color nail polish are you wearing in this photo?

Reply
Alfa Sengupta says · 05.15.14

OMG. I completely understand what you mean. I remember when I was about to do my first trip out of the house alone with my baby girl to the mall and how stressed I felt. It felt exactly like the timeline you just posted, and every step of the way I was constantly wondering “is this worth it?”.. HAHA. Thankfully it was since the next time I was far less stressed!

Plus, I’m thinking about taking my baby girl to the pool since it’s summer down here in Texas with the high 80s! It looks like I’m going to have the same timeline as you since I’m so lost on all the stuff I need! Sunscreen, hat, swim diaper, floaties, and the list just goes on and on… Ohhhh the joys of motherhood! =)

Btw, I’m loving your bathing suit and his chunky thighs!!

Alfa

Reply
Tracey says · 05.15.14

Ha! We’re expecting our first in December and I love reading your stories about the baby. I can’t wait for our own similar experiences, even though they might make me crazy at times!

PS – You know this, but David is seriously the cutest.

Reply
cait says · 05.15.14

Oh my! I had to laugh at all your steps. It gets easier! You’ll get to the point where you’ll just pop his swim suit on and head to the pool, trust me!

Reply
Sarah Gordon says · 05.15.14

Great list! haha! As others have mentioned – so accurate! I would just add one more – Take a picture of you and baby to commemorate the whole event!

Reply
Maria Provenzano says · 05.16.14

This is hilarious! 🙂

Reply
Kyllie says · 05.16.14

Jajajaja, la primera vez es complicado, luego les encanta y ya no quieren salir 🙂

Kyllie | Make Up Fragrances

Reply
Lindsey Portugal says · 05.16.14

My LO was born on Dec 12th, and I have to say I have LOVED following your blog because I pretty much have been going through everything you have been. 🙂 She was pretty colicky/high need but is sooo much better now. 5 months, and a completely different baby. We have yet to go the pool yet 🙂

Reply
Ashley says · 05.17.14

OH. MY. GOD. Look at those legs!!!! Rolls upon rolls! Love it.

Reply
Lisette says · 05.17.14

Thanks in favor of sharing such a fastidious opinion, paragraph is nice, thats why i have read it completely

Reply
Jen says · 05.19.14

I was just at the beach with my brother and his 8 month old for a week and this is exactly true. I am 5 months pregnant, so know this will be me next year as well. I both laughed and got anxious reading this post just thinking about it. THANK YOU for being so candid – you are just the cutest and best mom, and David is perfect!
xo
Jen

Reply
Mary says · 05.22.14

His thighs are the best!!

Reply
Miranda says · 05.29.14

This is exactly how our weekend went with our 10 month old… Like, I visualized my experience as I was reading the steps! This is perfectly true to the core! Hilarious!

Reply
Haley says · 06.03.17

I stumbled across this today while googling “how to take a 3 month old to the pool”. We’re considering going this weekend, and I realize it’s going to be quite a lot of work. Your post is hilarious and so true, I laughed till I cried! It’s funny you wrote this three years ago and it made my day here in 2017!

Reply
Kathy says · 07.09.18

Thanks for posting about your recommendations on taking your children to the pool. All of my kids seem to have grown up with fins and we love to go to the pool. Item 21 is my favorite, never go wrong with a little yoghurt or ice cream.

http://www.mommyhighfive.com/5-best-infant-life-jackets/

Reply