to think the cost of taking a baby swimming for 10/15 min is a rip off

[arthurbaby]

We took our baby DD to the swimming pool for her first time this week and she loved it. But it cost £8.40 for two adults and a baby. We were only in the pool 15 minutes and would love to go every week but simply cannot bare to pay so much. I have researched discount cards/active cards etc. We were the only people in the baby pool. Am I being unreasonable to think if they charged less they would get more customers and in the long run make more money? But also raise a healthier generation of children?

My point is not actually to subsidise, it is to charge all customers less, so that in turn they get more customers and thrn perhaps make more money.

There is lots of things you can do with a young baby, baby massage, blowing bubbles, baths with candles and soft music, walks, smelling flowers, singing.

Adults think there needs to be an outing or event but babies are happy with simple things.

Loads of council run swimming pools are under threat of closure. There not exactly making a profit you know. They cost a lot to staff and maintain and whilst expensive for only 15 mins, it's not bad for 2 hours which you can do once older. Take a look at baby / toddler time slots, these are often cheaper.

I took dd today.

We spent more time in the changing room, then we did in the pool

Couldn't agree more! She's 20 months, and even after 20 minutes her lips were going blue. But that's probably because she insisted on spending 90% of her time, sat on the side, pouring water

But is the price not the reason they are facing closure? As I stated we were the only people there.

How old's your baby? We've had both DC in the pool for an hr plus since they’d had their 8w jabs. We used to manage it that one of us would go earlier, have a swim, then the other would join with the DC and we'd have 'family time', then we'd get out, the parent who'd not swim would help change to the point that the other could take over and then get back in the pool and swim properly. We used to be there a good couple of hours at least.

If the baby's cold, you need to find a warmer pool, or buy a neoprene wetsuit. My DS is now 2, still wears a wetsuit for adult pools but spends 2-3hrs at a time in the pool without getting cold.

I don't think you can complain about the cost. They charged you £3-something per adult. That's about 30p more than the coffee in our local leisure centre! Up to you how you use the time...

Dear God, anything! Chill out in a cafe, go for a walk in the park, visit a museum, take it to IKEA and by a rug.

Tiny babies participate just by being with you, being held and being spoken to. Never again will they be so small, portable and willing to do what you want. Make the most of it - you've got the next 20 years to do tailor your life round their needs, wants, desires, activities and friends.

I don't think it is too expensive.

Pools have a lot of overheads to pay for. Heating, pool cleaning and maintenance etc. More than soft play and other baby/toddler activities and classes.

You were very unusual in only being there for 15 mins, most pool users would be there for an hour.

I would wait until baby is older. Or if you want your money worth, do what has been suggested and take turns swimming with your dh.

How big is your baby? I took all mine swimming at about 9lbs weight and stayed in much longer
maybe you need to find a warmer pool?

Was this a special baby session or just general? Special sessions are generally less.

Is there any kind of membership or discount card available that could reduce the price?

Another vote for baby wetsuit - often sell for bobbins on ebay, second hand.
I know all babies are different but at 5 weeks my baby was still warm after an hour. They're brilliant!

Maybe the pool was quiet because it was the middle of the day on as week day? Maybe it was programmed downtime? If you were only there for a short time you may have been there in the break between sessions? Every pool I know has a very full programme of length swim/aquafit/school lessons/private lessons/ lifeguard training etc. The "schools" slot is occasionally unfilled for a week or two and sometimes lessons are postponed if a swim teacher is ill.

I've taken both of mine swimming from birth. It started at £8.50 - its now 13.50 for the 30 minutes. Another post saying you need invest in a neoprene wrap wetsuit (a cople of £2 from eBay) and start arguing your cause with the swimming pool.

Don't take your babies to cold water pools

Why don't you sign up to z local council gym ir at least one of you. I pay £40 per month and we have unlimotrd pool access. Well, when there is no classes.

This is why I rarely take myself or the kids to any activities especially the sports centre. Yanbu to feel it's a lot if money, it is! YABU yo expect any sympathy. Some people live in a different world where £8 is small change!

I wait for a nice day and take the kids to the local beach in the summer, that's free!

All I can say is it does and doesn't get better. We all paid more to take our babies swimming, like yours mine got cold after a short time. We took them one adult to one child. When we only had one kid we both went but one of us was a spectator and therefore free to sit at the side and help with drying. Now we have two kids who aren't old enough yet and still need one adult to one child (6 months to go). We don't swim that often because it cost £18 for us all.

So yes it gets better because they can dry themselves but the prices get more and more expensive.

Either one of you go in the he pool and the other help dry or just wait until your baby is older and can stay in longer. We rarely swim as a family and much prefer walks, bike rides etc. Something we actually all enjoy. I don't buy into the ethos that family time is all about the kids. That would be kid time. Family time is finding something we all enjoy doing, together.

My dc (5 and 2) love swimming. I've also joined a (private) gym which costs £40/month for going as much as we want. We go about once a week - although 4 times in half term! Much warmer and less busy than council pool too. Occasionally I also use the gym. It is our family luxury, and well worth it. They also let me take both dc swimming by myself which is brilliant as council pool didn't and DH can't swim.

If you want to go all the time why not get gym membership which has a pool? It would work out cheaper overall.

Also you can get wetsuits for babies (konfidence) and they will help baby be able to swim for longer.

Coconutty - did you really do that? How could you not expect to pay? Also can't believe staff never challenged you...

I agree it's too expensive to swim in the UK. I hardly ever took the dc because of the cost.

Here in NZ it cost me $1 (50p roughly) to take 2 under 5's swimming in a special baby pool that's heated up really well.

All under 16's are free to swim. Any parent accompanying a child under 5 years gets in for $1

Why can't they do that in the UK? The pools are always full of children here in the evenings and weekends.

And when I say "baby pool" it's actually quite big and quite deep. My 3yr old can only just stand up in it at the shallower end. The kids love it.

Such a shame the UK can't work it the same way.

This makes baby swimming lessons with Water Babies, Puddleducks etc much better value. Nice pools, and one parent can watch whilst the other swims.