Tell me about Peckham Pulse jelly babies

[Mathilda]

I've yet to take my 10 month old swimming locally and am quite nervous about it...Peckham Pulse sounds like the best pool because of the warmth, but would really help to know a bit about it...

Do you have to book (do you have to be a fusion member to book?) or is it OK to just turn up early and queue?

What do you do with the buggy?

Can you take your towel to the poolside?

Do they have floats in there?

The weekdays I can go are Weds and Fri and the session times are a little awkward on those days, 12 and 1 ie lunch and nap time. Sundays are better at 10am but is this one packed?

Thanks..I'm sure its all very easy really and I am being silly!

[mima08]

Hiya - going swimming is the highlight for us every week, 10month old baby LOVES it. Peckham Pulse if great because so warm. The water is very shallow for the jelly baby sessions, too. As for your questions:

- you can just turn up, but sometimes sessions sell out (mainly during half-term I think, but has happened other times too). Sorry, don't know about the Sunday sessions.

- there are buggy parks but the often fill up or the locks don't work - I tend to just leave my buggy in the buggy park without anything valuable in it.

- the best changing rooms are the family rooms, there are some right at the pool side - don't go to the normal female changing rooms as the benches are too narrow. Also, there are red changing tables around which do help with an active baby.

- in theory you can take your towel to the poolside but not many do

- they have various floats, rubber ducks and other toys for the session.

I recommend also to have a look online (Youtube?) for some inspiration as to the games to play in the water with a 10month old.

Have fun!

[Fuschia]

I had so many times that I couldn't get in, i bought a family axxess card (?50) so i could prebook.It doesn't heklp that the reception staff are so useless (chatting on their mobiles, moving at snail like pace) that you can be there 20 mins before a session starts and still not get seen before it actually begins!

Shame because the pool is nice

You can leave buggy in the changing room or there is a buggy park if you want to lock it

You can take towel to poolside.

I usually take a light cotton wrap for myself so i can tear costume off, put thAT ON, FEED BABY, dress baby then be ready to put my own clothes on right away

[Yak]

Even if you're not a member you can phone and buy tickets up to 6 days in advance as long as you buy 2 or more tickets. So if you can find a friend to go with you don't need to worry about queuing early. Or you can buy in person 6 days in advance. I think the Wed / Fri sessions might be quieter than the Thursday one, anyway, so even if you do have to arrive early to queue, it shouldn't be that bad.

The floats and toys are great. I tend to take a towel and leave it on the bench by the side.

I started going when my one was tiny so my top tips (apologies if any is old hat) are

Take a pound coin for buggy park and pound coin for locker

Put your swimming cozzie on at home

Have a two plastic bags designated as wet bag and dry bag

Have snack and drink for both of you for afterwards as it is seriously boiling and tiring!

Take a spare swimming nappy just in case!

Enjoy it, it is really really good fun. We used to go to Camberwell but "upgraded" to peckham cos it's just so lovely and warm.

[Ruth_Baldock]

Yak, agree, camberwell is a lovely pool, fab changing rooms but my god- its freeeeeezzziiing! Makes Seb cry :(

[BeccaL]

Not sure what others think about the Bridge at Sydenham for tiny babies - we gave up going to Peckham because too hard to actually get in, but not sure how warm the Bridge is for very little ones. Easy parking though... Just a thought.

[Fuschia]

I was about to say that's the best Pool around

And free still for children I think

If you get a lewisham

Library card (even if you live in southwark)

We take Our baby in his wetsuit

[Pickle]

Another nice option if you've got transport (not sure how easy it is on buses etc.) is Beckenham Spa. They have a lovely warm teaching pool with various sessions held during the week. By far the cleanest pool we've used and excellent spacious changing facilities for families.

[oimissus]

The last few times I've been I haven't bothered to book and it's been fine, I try to get there about 15-20 mins early. The Jelly Babies sessions in the week are Tuesday and Thursday 3-4, term time only I think, Rafts and Rascals is on other days, technically for older children but I've been once and it seemed fine, hardly a riot so you should be OK. Check on the Peckham Pulse website for the hydrotherapy pool timetable.

[mrs f]

The Sunday sessions get very booked so best to book by fri the week day sessions I always turn up 30 mins or so before just to make sure

It's a lovely pool

I always take a towel for the little one as it gets chilly going between pool & changing rooms.

[nunheadmum]

Beckenham Spa pool is great but I've found it REALLY expensive, compared with the ED pool (and I presume, Peckham). Meaning 15quid for 2 adults + 2 kids versus around 5 at Southwark pools. I don't think even getting their equivalent of the Leisure Access card cuts it by that much. Or am I missing a trick???

[Mathilda]

Thanks everyone for all the useful info and tips, we went this morning and both had a great time. Can't believe I was worried about it really :)

[Yak]

Hurrah! Glad you had a good time.