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AIBU?

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Original poster

To take baby swimming…

66 replies

Gerbera55 · 13/10/2025 08:32

when I can’t swim myself?

I know; it’s an important life skill and I really should be able to swim, but I can’t.
I want my baby to learn to swim so I was thinking of taking them to the pool. Would this be stupid seeing as I can’t swim myself? I’d be in the baby pool/shallow end and would probably use an inflatable chair for baby.

I was also looking at something like Water Babies classes but again, would the instructor expect me to be able to swim?

OP posts:
rwalker · 13/10/2025 09:15

you can definitely teach your child to be water confident
then crack on with your lessons

Original poster
Gerbera55 · 13/10/2025 09:12

Thanks for the advice everyone!

OP posts:
Original poster
Gerbera55 · 13/10/2025 09:07

InveterateWineDrinker · 13/10/2025 08:59

Er, who will look after the baby while you're in swimming lessons?

To answer the original question, I took DD1 to Puddleducks in the pool at a nearby hotel. We stayed in water that reached chest-height so it would have been possible to do without being able to swim, but with DD2 I took her to a different class in a gym and there was no way a non-swimmer could have managed that. Do check with the provider but specifically to the particular venue.

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Their dad/grandma/aunty ☺️

OP posts:
Bitzee · 13/10/2025 09:07

I reckon you’d be fine doing water babies as a non swimmer as it’s just standing waist deep water but it’s all a bit pointless as far as swimming goes because they aren’t capable of learning properly until age 3/4 when they have the physical capability and ability to follow instructions. And you can get them used to water in the bath and by taking them in the shower with you. It’s just something to do with your baby the same way baby sensory or rhyme time is. What you really need to do is prioritise the lessons for yourself for all the future stuff like supervising your older child in the pool on holiday.

InveterateWineDrinker · 13/10/2025 08:59

Gerbera55 · 13/10/2025 08:39

I should have said in my OP, I plan to learn to swim while I’m on maternity leave. The pools local to me only have adult lessons during the day in the week and as I work in a school, I’ve never been able to do them so maternity leave is my chance!

Er, who will look after the baby while you're in swimming lessons?

To answer the original question, I took DD1 to Puddleducks in the pool at a nearby hotel. We stayed in water that reached chest-height so it would have been possible to do without being able to swim, but with DD2 I took her to a different class in a gym and there was no way a non-swimmer could have managed that. Do check with the provider but specifically to the particular venue.

DaisyChain505 · 13/10/2025 08:56

I believe getting babies in water and comfortable and confident from a young g age is vital.

Go for it. Even if they’re not “learning to swim” at a very young age they’re building confidence and it will all pay off when they’re at an age where learning techniques starts.

Crazybigtoe · 13/10/2025 08:52

Other things your can do, when not at the pool, is getting baby used to having water on their head. Take them into the shower with you, water over their face when in bath.

Lessons with a baby won't need you to swim, but up until they are 8, you will need to be in the water with them- and that's when it's more important as they will want to be out of the baby pool!

Arcticsway · 13/10/2025 08:45

In the water babies classes I see every week at my pool, they stay in the shallow end. There is a lifeguard, an instructor, and you aren't out of your depth anyway so I can't see why you'd need to swim. Good idea to learn for the future though.

Zoono · 13/10/2025 08:41

I think you should prioritise getting lessons for yourself first. Toddlers and younger children can be very unpredictable and can move very quickly in swimming pools, as I've scarily found out myself. Thankfully my DD didn't get hurt, as I reacted very quickly but I feel she'd be in a lot of danger in a swimming pool, if I couldn't swim myself.

Original poster
Gerbera55 · 13/10/2025 08:39

I should have said in my OP, I plan to learn to swim while I’m on maternity leave. The pools local to me only have adult lessons during the day in the week and as I work in a school, I’ve never been able to do them so maternity leave is my chance!

OP posts:
Eenameenadeeka · 13/10/2025 08:39

You won't need to be able to swim to do the baby lesson because it's a shallow pool, so you can do the baby lesson and take them off b the toddler pool. It's a good idea for you to also learn separately as well though:)

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 13/10/2025 08:37

No, you do not need to be able to swim to take your baby to learn to swim. Its a great idea, go for it x

DappledThings · 13/10/2025 08:37

In a baby swim class you won't be in water deeper than waist height. Nobody will know you can't swim.

But you should learn separately.

TeenToTwenties · 13/10/2025 08:36

I doubt water babies would be expecting you to be able to swim, as you should be holding your baby surely?

I would also imagine any water babies scheme would have you with feet on the floor for safety.

Jellybunny56 · 13/10/2025 08:35

Spend the money on getting yourself swimming lessons instead, ASAP.

MidnightPatrol · 13/10/2025 08:34

So yes - you should get your child learning to swim, albeit I don’t think there’s much point as a baby.

You would be better off over the next ~2 years getting yourself swimming lessons.