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Original poster

What happens in baby swimming classes?

20 replies

Chloesss · 22/02/2022 15:58

Hi I have a 4 month old and am looking to join some classes, I find the idea of joining a regular playgroup terrifying in case it’s hard to talk to people, I figured swimming classes would be good as we have something to focus on rather than feel awkward.

Anyway I’m being stupid but I can understand what actually happens in these classes? Do you just hold baby? Also embarrassingly I am not confident in the water at all, will I be required to swim or will we be in the shallow end the entire time? And how long do these classes usually take?

Thank you

OP posts:
Lazypuppy · 22/02/2022 16:00

Normally 30mins, yes you hold baby, there is lots of singing songs and moving baby through the water. Builds on all the skills as you go through the classes/terms

ginandtonicformeplease · 22/02/2022 16:05

No you don't need to swim - everything in the shallow end.

SatinHeart · 22/02/2022 16:12

@Lazypuppy

Normally 30mins, yes you hold baby, there is lots of singing songs and moving baby through the water. Builds on all the skills as you go through the classes/terms
Pretty much this. You'll always have your feet on the floor. They might ask you to put your head under water (but we had a couple of people who didn't and it was fine).

The one thing I found though was it wasn't overly sociable beyond the class as people came from further afield than for a normal baby group and everyone just wanted to get changed and go home afterwards.

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Original poster
Chloesss · 22/02/2022 16:14

I’ve just seen the classes are £18 per session Shock is that normal? I was hoping to take him weekly and I couldn’t afford to pay that 😩

OP posts:
Twizbe · 22/02/2022 16:14

I really enjoyed swimming lessons with my eldest.

It's all in the shallow end and you can stand for all of it.

You sing songs, move baby in the water and dunk them under it (the teacher will show you how to do this)

Big tip- afterwards, wrap baby in a towel and lay them on a changing mat / towel on the floor. Then get yourself dried and dressed. Then do baby.

Twizbe · 22/02/2022 16:16

@Chloesss

I’ve just seen the classes are £18 per session Shock is that normal? I was hoping to take him weekly and I couldn’t afford to pay that 😩
Yeah swimming is pricy.

Have a look on Facebook for your local NCT branch. They do some very friendly groups that might work for you. Since covid they've been doing lots of walk and talks. Great for getting out with baby and the volunteer leader will always make sure you have someone to talk to.

Original poster
Chloesss · 22/02/2022 16:23

@Twizbe
Do you think it would be pointless take him once a month? Is it worth me taking him to a regular pool by myself? I guess it’s a whole different experience.

I will definitely look into those other groups, walk and talk sounds right up my street

OP posts:
OddsNSodsBitsNBobs · 22/02/2022 16:23

@Chloesss

I’ve just seen the classes are £18 per session Shock is that normal? I was hoping to take him weekly and I couldn’t afford to pay that 😩
You must be looking at independent Swim school at that price! If you look at your local leisure centre/swimming pool (Council or leisure management run on behalf of council) you will find lessons much cheaper. London suburbs and its currently £6.50 per lesson but payable by monthly DD.
mummyh2016 · 22/02/2022 16:24

OP try council run lessons, I've been taking DD since she was 3 months old (she's nearly 5 and in normal lessons now) and have only ever paid £5 a lesson.

Twizbe · 22/02/2022 16:26

No, you could do a taster session and then go back on your own to do some of the songs etc.

It depends a bit on your local pool. Ours is terrible to get into in the week. It's all private lessons or schools.

Original poster
Chloesss · 22/02/2022 16:36

@OddsNSodsBitsNBobs @mummyh2016 thanks so much have just check our local swimming pool and they do them for £25 per month, amazing Smile

OP posts:
OddsNSodsBitsNBobs · 22/02/2022 16:41

[quote Chloesss]**@OddsNSodsBitsNBobs* @mummyh2016* thanks so much have just check our local swimming pool and they do them for £25 per month, amazing Smile[/quote]
You're welcome! I hope you enjoy them.

RedToothBrush · 22/02/2022 16:51

You don't need to swim. The whole point is to teach confidence in water and to not be fearful of it.

DS did it and it really helped. He couldnt swim by the end of it, but hes confident in water. I have only just managed to get him lessons since I found it difficult to a beginner class and he was on a waiting list then covid hit.

So even after 2 years of not swimming hes been utterly fine in the water.

It was worth doing.

Bunnycat101 · 22/02/2022 17:07

You might be better in a leisure centre one as more likely to be in a teaching pool. The baby swimming I did was in quite a deep private pool and would have been a bit tricky without being able to swim well tbh. The teaching pool at your leisure centre will be shallow or you’d be in the shallow end.

00100001 · 22/02/2022 17:11

Wouldn't waste your money tbh.

Just take them to a pool with a baby/shallow/warmer pool and dip them in a bit

00100001 · 22/02/2022 17:12

[quote Chloesss]@Twizbe
Do you think it would be pointless take him once a month? Is it worth me taking him to a regular pool by myself? I guess it’s a whole different experience.

I will definitely look into those other groups, walk and talk sounds right up my street[/quote]
Take him weekly or fortnightly.

Piggy42 · 22/02/2022 17:14

Honestly, I would just take them yourself to a local pool. My son did baby swimming classes, there really was no benefit for him.

modgepodge · 22/02/2022 17:14

£18 is at the expensive end of normal for a private swim school, I pay £15. Near us there are no council run pools so no cheap options, even just taking your child swimming is a mission to find somewhere. The pools you can use are bloody freezing (my 2 year old recently lasted 15 mins with a wetsuit on before looking a bit blue and shivering and wanting out), whereas the private lessons are in lovely warm pools.

It’s useless for trying to meet people to socialise with though, as above most people dash off afterwards.

Piggy42 · 22/02/2022 17:14

And yes as pp said, try and find a pool with a baby pool- usually much warmer!!

balalake · 22/02/2022 18:15

Good luck OP, hope you and your DC enjoy it.

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