Swimming classes

Hi all,

Just wondering what experiences you may have had with baby swimming classes.

I have had mixed reactions (like you do    ) recommending to start after your bub is 6 months but then some say 3 months.

What age did you start?
Did you/baby enjoy it?
Any concerns?

Cheers

We have just finished out first term of swimming classes so we started when Jack was about 10-11mths. The only reason we didn't start earlier was becuase it didn't fit in with our schedule and when I first rang they were fully booked and we had to wait till the next term

He loves it. Friends started their little ones earlier and there is a 6mth old in our class. The ones we go to (I assume all are relatively the same) aren't lessons as such, we sing songs and learn a few things like going under the water, getting used to water on his face, climbing out of the pool etc.

My only concern was how to get us both dried and dressed afterwards. I take the pushchair in and after the lesson (and a sit in the spa afterwards to warm up!) I wrap Jack in towels and put him in the pushchair with a rusk while I get dressed, then get him dressed.

We did a term with Ella when she was 7 months. It was fun and it gave me ideas on what to do with her in the water, but we decided to only do 1 term...mainly because we found it very full on and Ella is not really into structure and would much rather splash around and do her own thing. Now I just take her to the pools every now and then for a splash around. At this age I think it is more about getting them used to it and not being frightened of water. I also personally don't know if I would do lessons in winter, simpily because of all the colds and infections going around.

We started at Hilton Brown with Oli when he was 3mths old. I think that they are one of the few places that take them from 3mths. He loves it....when he was very little he sometimes got a bit tired before the end of the lessons, but he is fine now and actually gets grumpy when we get him out!!! We have only ever missed a couple of lessons and only when he had a bad cold.

I dont think that the risk of colds and ear infections really increase in winter, my GP reckons thats nonsense! We have decided to keep going with him as he loves it and I enjoy doing it with him!

Yeah I get OIi changed when we get there (by the side of the pool) and then wrap a towel around myself whilst I get him dried and dressed afterwards (by the pool). He will then sit happily in his buggy and watch mummy get dressed!

 

thanks for the tip about taking the buggy in - I was wondering how to manage the dressing etc when we start lessons later this month. I'm looking forward to it!

What are the prices like for a term at Hilton Brown???

Maya started classes at 2 1/2, I took her swimming once a week from about 4 months but didn't see the point in paying for lessons when I could do the water confidence with her myself. She's been in lessons ever since she was 2 1/2 and she loves it.

Started the gremlins at 6 months coz I couldn't take them on my own, lessons meant the instructor could take one and I could take the other, but we only lasted one term coz then Mercedes ears started playing up. Now the nanny and I try to take them once a week but their ears are an ongoing drama.

Yer we go to Westwave in Henderson. We started Lycan this year and he loves it gives JK a chance to bond with him, i go along to watch and get him dressed afterwards. Latoya (the instructor) is also great with the kids. The lessons are great, mostly teaching water awareness , going under the water, knowing to go to the side after "falling" in and action songs that we sing at home with Lycan.

I think it works out to be $10 a lesson and $110 a term depending on how many weeks there are in a school term.

hi I'm a swimming instructor that works with babies so thought I'd add my two cents worth.
Some things you might want to look for when picking a swimming school:
- if baby is under five but especially four months they should be in a special smaller pool which is run hotter than the normal pools plus which is drained or recycled more frequently.
- instructors should be train specifically for babies, this often isn't the case and they tend to lack the reasons behind what they are doing.
Some added suggestions:
-I suggest to my mums that they bring a bath robe for afterwards that way they do not get as cold while dressing baby.
-Our pool facility has a play pen for parents to put their childrn in while they dress and a lot of parents find this helpful so when looking around you could ask if hey had one of these available.
-Be aware of your baby. I don't mean to sound rude when I say this but particularly when your babies are smaller if they have had enough of the water don't be afraid to hope out 5 or 10 minutes early. Its better they have a good experience.

Okay while I think I've added way more than I should have. I hope that it is helpful to you.