Baby swimming classes - are they worthwhile ?

[Rookiemum]

I am debating wether to take our DS to swimming lessons. At the time they start he will be 5mths old. We took him in the pool on holiday and he enjoyed it about the same as his bath. They are reasonably expensive and I think its going to be a bit of an effort getting him de-chlorinated and dressed on my own. Also is there a chance that it might make him scared of the water ?

Is this one of these activities that are more for the parents than the baby or is it worth doing at this age ? Any advice from other MNetters welcome.

[tortoiseshell]

Just take him on your own. I've taken all of mine from being about 4 months. I often take the 2 older children together, and my friend used to take 3, so I wouldn't worry about changing him etc. But unless you want to do the underwater swimming with him, then just take him for half an hour with you.

[Hallgerda]

I took DS1 to swimming lessons when he was a baby but not DS2 or DS3. DS2 and DS3 were no slower in learning to swim properly.

There will always be someone popping up on these threads whose baby has been swimming beautifully from the age of about three, but the vast majority of children don't start swimming independently until they are around six, and swimming lessons much before that age don't do a lot of good. (Some children enjoy them, and their parents feel that it is worth doing them for that reason - I'm not knocking that.)

In short, I think it is an activity that's more for the parents. I doubt it would be detrimental, but it may not be beneficial either.

[Clary]

I can't see much point in swimming lessons for under 4s tbh, unless as tortoiseshell says you want to do the underwater swimming.
But it is certainly worth taking your child to the pool with you. Getting them ready is fine, honets, I take all 3 of mine sometimes and have since they were little.
FWIW my weakest swimmer is ds1 (7) who had a big break in pool time when he was 18mo-2 for various reasons.
DD (5) and DS2 (3) are much more confident. Have taken them every week since they were about 6mo. Tho I agree this tiny sample proves...erm...nothing much!

[Mistymoo]

I took both mine to baby swimming lessons. I was paying for a Highlife card (£21 a month) and their lessons were covered on this. I found it just helped me to actually go to the swimming pool regularly with them.

We can only go in the pool with both of them if both dh and I are able to go due to their ages and the councils ratios.

[SoupDragon]

Both DSs have been able to swim, unaided, from 3. I did babyy swiming with them from around 6months. My reasons were not to get them swimming early but to get them happy and confident in water because I'm not. Learning to swim and dive in has been a bonus and this pays dividends when we go onholiday.

[fishie]

another thing which put me off classes is if baby not in mood, missed nap or whatever, rather mean to make them go just because you've paid.

our local pool does baby splash 'drop-in' (not literally ) sessions, with toys and music and an instructor on hand, but not formal lessons, is fab.

do go swimming through, is brilliant for tiring out energetic pre-crawling baby.

[Mistymoo]

I also have 2 lovely pictures of my dd under water. I wouldn't have them if she hadn't been to lessons.

I agree with Soupy that it gives them confidence in the water and it also gives me confidence to try things I may not have done before.

[alexsmum]

tough call.
i took both of mine swimming from 5 monthsish and they are total water babies.
ds1 started lessons at at about 41/2 and he is doing brilliantly .He's 6 now and in a group with 8 and 9 y/o's and may end up going down the gala/competitive swimming route.
i take ds2 to something called swimplay which is just a parent and toddler session with toys etc run by a swimming teacher.they work on increasing confidence etc.there are then lessons that lead on from this.he did a term of lessons from age 2 and they worked on getting in and out of the pool safely, kicking on their back , being confident having their face in the water etc.
we stopped doing the lessons because he didn't enjoy the structure and was much happier just kicking about and doing his own thing.
so..not sure what i'm trying to say here..lessons are good and have real value i think but maybe at this age just taking him yourself and would be enough.

[stripeybumpsmum]

I would say it is worth it - for both you and baby. We started baby swim lessons when DS was 14 weeks. Each term has about 10-12 classes, £85 for the whole term. He loves it, I get to spend fab time with him (plus grannies and DH have been to watch). We do lots of safety stuff as well as the splashing about - I really have no complaints.

I bought a cheap towelling robe from Asda which I put on when we get out. Then once he is dried and dressed, he either sits in his pushchair (if you are allowed to take one into change room) or plays on the floor on one of those fold up disposable change mats.

He is normally starving when he gets out and usually asleep before we have left the car park.

I found it a very different experience from normal toddler pools. Our class is at a hospital hydrotherapy pool, so really warm. Great environment with the other mums (only 8 per class) and less noise and chlorine.

I think we have great value for money as I don't think it is expensive really, but either way, absolutely recommend it.

[Rookiemum]

Thanks guys you confirmed what I was thinking. I will take him to swim but not have the swimming lessons until he is older.

[Rookiemum]

Oops sorry stripesbumpymum got caught mid post. Sounds like your littlun loved them. We have got a really good toddler pool area at the gym I belong to so can use that without it being crowded.

[yummimummy]

Hi, we've taken DD swimming since she was 6 months old.
DH takes her and they both love it.
I can see 3 advantages to taking a baby under 2:

1. It's something to do and it tires them out.
   
2. It's great for teaching them water safety - DD is now 13 months and does seem to know that when she gets in the water she has to reach out for the side immediately and wait - an obvious safety advantage
   
3. It's great Daddy - Daughter time
   Actually, make that 4 reasons - I get a lie in on Saturdays when they go swimming

[Swimmingqueen]

I have been teaching swimming for almost two decades and running my own swim school in London. I have written a blog about benefits of baby swim lessons and why they are most beneficial- you find it useful.
www.bluewaveswim.co.uk/blog/swimming-tips/benefits-of-swimming-for-babies-and-toddlers

[LauraSkilton]

Hi there,

I run a baby and toddler swim school across a few areas in the South of England since 2012. This is definitely a conversation I've had with different people over the years! I have a few posts that we've written that I think are relevant to this thread, let me know what you think?

Teach your baby to swim

Benefits of baby swimming

[imamearcat]

I don't rate them personally. I don't like how they dunk them under the water and my DD just didn't enjoy it. Some babies love it but mine didn't.

She goes to normal swimming lessons now she's 3, much better (and no dunking!).

[LauraSkilton]

Yes, I agree. Underwater submersions is definitely not the be all and end all. Classes should focus on the sensory side of swimming with babies, enjoying the water and building water confidence, all before the strength is there to learn the basic swimming strokes. We have a couple of posts on the subject here

New Swimming Teacher Experience

Sensory Swimming

Let me know what you think!

[bruffin]

I dont regret a penny spent on baby swimming lessons. Mine started at 6mos and 12 mos and had lessons until they passed their bronze medallion and then went on to get their life guard qualification.

[LiliesAndChocolate]

I did baby swimming classes with DS1. DS2 had horrific reflux and was the most unhappy baby and then we started moving countries over and over again and the first time he joined a swimming class and became to go regularly in a pool only after he was 5 and now at 13 he swims 8 times per week (5 times before school, twice after and Saturday morning) and competes at a national level.
DS 1 will happily splash around at his mates' pool but will not swim, so on the long run, go in the pool if you and baby enjoy it, but if not, they will get there and beyond eventually

[Sallyseagull]

I've enjoyed taking my son to swimming classes and have taken him since he was about 3 months old.

Could be a fluke but he has absolutely no fear of water and really enjoys splashing about. It made me feel more confident with him in the pool and sea on holiday and I've ok just generally enjoyed doing this activity together.

Having said that, they are usually expensive and it's not like they're actually learning to swim at this age so if you're not 100% sure about it maybe wait till your child is a little older.