Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wore my kids (when they were babies) in my bjorn into the water. That way I had both hands free for the older child(ren).

This seems like the safe way to go.

What if you had to go underwater to get to your older? This makes no sense to me

Oh I thought the PP was joking about it seeming safe! It sounds super dangerous to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wore my kids (when they were babies) in my bjorn into the water. That way I had both hands free for the older child(ren).

This seems like the safe way to go.

What if you had to go underwater to get to your older? This makes no sense to me

Anonymous wrote:OP here. As an update, we have gone to the pool a couple of times and it's been great. Baby goes in his floatie and I have a hand on him pretty much at all times. If I get out of the pool, I bring him with me and 3.5 yo has to sit on the stairs and wait for me. 3.5 yo wears his floatie, and turns out he is very apprehensive about his face going in the water so he is happy to stay in the shallow end or near the stairs. Pool is small enough that I could reach the other side in about 5 seconds if needed.

I am glad it's been working out, OP. I have twins, and I am finally comfortable taking them by myself. They are 2.5 and there is a toddler pool where we go.

OP here. As an update, we have gone to the pool a couple of times and it's been great. Baby goes in his floatie and I have a hand on him pretty much at all times. If I get out of the pool, I bring him with me and 3.5 yo has to sit on the stairs and wait for me. 3.5 yo wears his floatie, and turns out he is very apprehensive about his face going in the water so he is happy to stay in the shallow end or near the stairs. Pool is small enough that I could reach the other side in about 5 seconds if needed.

I assume the neighbor would be there too? So two adults for three kids? Could you take turns being the “in water “ adult with the 3 year olds and being on land / stairs with the baby? I imagine this is a close friend who would be happy to hold your baby while you played with two kids.

Personally, it was too daunting for me. I kept the baby at home, either with my husband on the weekends, or I hired a sitter.

My 4yr old is tall enough to stand in the shallow end of our neighborhood pool. Could you have your older child wear a puddle jumper and also use cones or cups to make an imaginary line he can’t go past.

Hold the baby. Wearing is a terrible idea because you can’t unbuckle quickly. Have a Pack and play or other way to contain the baby so you can let the older kid play without the puddle jumper a bit. Letting the kids feel their bodies move in the water without flotation devices will help them gain confidence in the water. You need them practicing putting their faces in the water and blowing bubbles to prep for swim lessons.