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AIBU?

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Original poster

Swimming with a toddler

34 replies

displaynamed · 12/01/2026 14:36

My local council has one centre which is toddler friendly - ie heated and not too deep. This is not available on a Saturday due to swimming lessons. Its also only got on pool available on a Sunday and limited time - open 8am-2pm and 1 hour sessions start on the hour.

Unfortantly it's a standard depth of 90-120cm so too deep for toddler to stand unaided and and also no steps/ramp for him to gently walk into the water/become more confident etc.

My mum thinks I should put some arm bands on him and everything is ok. However it doesn't keep him fully afloat and he spends the session just behind held by me - sometimes with gentle jump into my arms etc. also I'm getting cold and so is toddler.

Aibu in thinking it's a waste of time going swimming? Other pool are 45 m session length and 30 min drive.

I remember going swimming on a Sunday and unrestricted.

OP posts:
Latenightreader · 12/01/2026 14:49

Have you tried a float vest? I started taking my daughter swimming at a bit over two due to covid and I mostly held her and we swished around, piggy back rides, ducking up and down, towing her about etc. I never used a vest for her myself but lots of toddlers do. Both the pool we used then and the one we go to now have lots of floats/pool noodles to play with in the water. We only started armbands last summer (aged six) and abandonned them after a few months as she can now swim a little unaided.

I miss the days of unrestricted swimming - we used to go and spend the afternoon in the pool but now all sessions seem to be fixed 50-60 minutes.

BigYellowBus · 12/01/2026 14:46

It's not perfect but i bet it's how all of us over 35 learned to swim

MarioLink · 12/01/2026 14:45

Put a toddler wetsuit on him and teach him to use a pool noodle (always in arm's reach off you). Holding him is fine if it's swim position and he's learning to kick and move his arms.

Redpeach · 12/01/2026 14:45

Arm bands should keep him afloat, just hold him, changing rooms are often shit, shower at home, swimming is an important skill

Original poster
displaynamed · 12/01/2026 14:45

weareallqueens · 12/01/2026 14:43

I just spent the whole time holding mine, swishing them back and forwards, encouraging kicking and ‘jumping in’. They’re highly unlikely to learn to swim but it increases water confidence.

We were advised not to use arm bands as it can give them a false sense of their own weightlessness.

Do you think it's worthwhile trying at that age? The children in the lessons were slightly older and they looked like they were still learning. There is a private pool that does lessons 2 mins walk from my house, just I know little one will whinge if he gets dragged out after 30 mins

OP posts:
weareallqueens · 12/01/2026 14:43

I just spent the whole time holding mine, swishing them back and forwards, encouraging kicking and ‘jumping in’. They’re highly unlikely to learn to swim but it increases water confidence.

We were advised not to use arm bands as it can give them a false sense of their own weightlessness.

Original poster
displaynamed · 12/01/2026 14:40

Favouritefruits · 12/01/2026 14:39

Well if he’s only a toddler you won’t be able to take your eyes off him anyway so why not try arm bands or a ring? Surely you’ll just spend an hour with him jumping off the side and you catching him anyway 😂

with the changing rooms being cold I’d stop him off shove a dressing gown on him and give him a drink whilst you get yourself ready then get him ready.

Edited

He's not jumping yet, just goes to my arms and I teach him to hold his breath or whatever. Don't know what to do really.

The armbands don't keep him above water.

He's already in his dressing gown, they are freezing.

OP posts:
Favouritefruits · 12/01/2026 14:39

Well if he’s only a toddler you won’t be able to take your eyes off him anyway so why not try arm bands or a ring? Surely you’ll just spend an hour with him jumping off the side and you catching him anyway 😂

with the changing rooms being cold I’d stop him off shove a dressing gown on him and give him a drink whilst you get yourself ready then get him ready.

Original poster
displaynamed · 12/01/2026 14:38

Also the logistics are hard - the changing rooms are freezing cold and family rooms are limited when it's you and everyone else trying to get changed at the same time. Can't shower either as they are mega hot (maybe compared to the cold) and don't stay on.

OP posts: