Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Swimming with newborn?

73 replies

ScurfyTwiglet · 27/02/2018 11:20

I'm really eager to take my son (3 weeks) swimming as soon as possible, probably in another 3-4 weeks time as that's when I'll be able to drive again after c-section. I've been looking into classes like waterbabies, puddleducks etc and they all seem REALLY expensive, working out at about £14-15 per session, and they're all in special hydrotherapy pools that are kept at 30 degrees or above etc. AIBU to think I can just take my baby to a normal swimming pool?

OP posts:

Thegirlwithnousername · 27/02/2018 13:43

We swim with Turtle Tots, Who are in my experience a lot cheaper than Waterbabies!..
We took my little boy at 16 weeks simply because that's when they started but I would of taken asap! Our local swimming pool has a lovely pool got children...Worth a call and ask!
My little one is 22 months and loves his swimming sessions...It's the only group we have maintained since he's been born!

Hohofortherobbers · 27/02/2018 13:49

I took dd public swimming at 6 weeks old. Friends were going with their babies (about 8 weeks older than dd ) and it was a social for me mainly. She was fine, lasted about 20 mins, glad it was free, wouldn't had wanted to pay £15 for a session that short

2b1c51 · 27/02/2018 13:56

I took Dc1 to our local pool from 14 weeks and Dc2 from 8 weeks. Both loved it. There is a very warm baby pool and parent and baby sessions for £1 where you sing nursery rhymes etc. Its a really nice way to interact with them- even at 8 weeks DC2 was laughing and gurgling when I poured water over him and bobbed him up and down, and he loved the big lights on the ceiling. I really recommend a neoprene wrap to keep them warm and just be observant of if they need to get out- Dc1 would only last 20-30 mins but DC2 would last 30-40 mins. Take a big towel for you afterwards as you will need to dress and probably feed them before you can get dressed yourself.

MummyCuddlesSolveEverything · 27/02/2018 14:02

My local leisure centres offer lessons for babies it's £20 a month for a half hour lesson a week (you book a particular class)and you get free access to any age appropriate swimming session at any of their leisure centres. It's definitely worth checking if there is something similar where you live. You just need to check the pools warn enough

tealandteal · 27/02/2018 14:06

I took mine from 3 months but I wouldn't want to take a younger baby I don't think. He wears a little wetsuit as the pool is cold, I don't think you would enjoy a swim with a cold baby. They soon let you know

Vibe2018 · 27/02/2018 14:06

I think your baby would much prefer to be wrapped up warm in your arms or in a moses basket. A 5 minute warm bath is a much better option and much less hassle.

FilthyforFirth · 27/02/2018 14:10

I really wouldnt take a newborn to a normal pool. My DS has been swimming with aquatots since he was 2.5 months old. Last month when he was 6 months old we went to centre parcs and he was absolutely freezing in the baby pool there. I find the classes brilliant and really good value for money. He is already 'swimming' underwater (not a stealty boast, all the babies in his class are)

Aeroflotgirl · 27/02/2018 14:11

I woulden't, its far too cold, I would wait until spring/summer when your baby is a bit older, and its warmer. Keep him wrapped warm.

PhelanThePain · 27/02/2018 14:15

Urgh! I can think of little worse than swishing my newborn around in barely hand warm human soup and then shivering my tits off while trying to dry and change them as they screech their little lungs out on the dirty wet changing table. (If you’re lucky to get one)

UserSnoozer · 27/02/2018 15:10

Some pools have set times for babies (my local is under 5's) and they heat it warmer especially

Chunkymonkey123 · 27/02/2018 15:19

If you want to take your Baby swimming then go for it!

My DS went swimming on a holiday at 6 weeks and then started puddle ducks at 8 weeks. Most babies seemed to be that age.
I wouldn’t say that the puddle ducks pools were any warmer than the Baby pool at the leisure centre. We had a splash about wetsuit for him.

Have a look at places near you as our council one does sensory sessions in the warm pool with lights and music etc. DS loved being in the water.

billybagpuss · 27/02/2018 15:32

Wait until 6 months before spending money on splash style classes as they will be more aware and enjoy it more but both of mine went into the water as soon as they had their jabs. When they are that tiny you can't stay more than 10 minutes and keep a close eye on the temperature but it is great for the confidence for them. Start of by just a short cuddle in the water and then swooshing them on front and back then get out. It will help if someone can go with you so you can have a short swim then just hand you baby for the last few minutes. I used a gym pool so swimming temperature they were fine.

Lazypuppy · 27/02/2018 15:33

@Whowhatwhy i can only talk from my experience, its not the case for all babies obviously. my nephew is 4 and hates swimming pools, if you do manage to get him in he clings to you. He wants to enjoy it but can't and he can't explain why he is scared just that he is. His parents never took him swimming until he was around 3.

Everyone saying bath instead, its completely different, my nephew loves the bath.

Pengggwn · 27/02/2018 15:36

DD really liked it from a few weeks old.

kaytee87 · 27/02/2018 15:37

@Lazypuppy 3yo is very different to waiting until the baby is 12weeks or even 6months old. They don't develop fears until they're around 9months old on average.

Rumpledfaceskin · 27/02/2018 15:39

I did when mine was about 8 weeks. She was slightly premature so small too and she was fine. Get a babywarmer wetsuit, it keeps them a bit warmer and just go in for 15/20 mins. I’m surprised that people think it’s not ok?! My siblings and I were all taken from a young age to normal pools before ‘waterbabies’ and we survived. My dd is now very confident in the water at 2.

LaurieMarlow · 27/02/2018 15:43

I'd wait a few months. What's the rush?

YY to the baby cinema idea though. There's a relatively short window to take advantage of this because once they're a bit more mobile (6/7 months plus) it becomes more hassle than it's worth.

Whowhatwhy · 27/02/2018 15:43

kaytee I agree. Leaving it until 3 is very late. Big difference from a newborn!

Oooeeeerrrrrindeed · 27/02/2018 15:48

You can get a neoprene wrap. Two barefeet are quite good. My youngest has been going to pools from 4 weeks. It's fine if they are generally healthy. Keep it brief until they get used to it (noise mainly). Also the biggest chill isn't in the water, it's getting out and hanging around in wet things. Having a warm towel and stripping them off straight away is a good aim.

Thistledew · 27/02/2018 16:08

I started DS with swimming classes when he was around 6 months old. At that age he was able to start to do some of the movements they were teaching us like splashing and kicking and holding onto the side. I felt it was worth it as you could see his skills start to develop.

There was a baby in our class of about 5 weeks old who honestly slept through most of each class, and often cried. By all means go to the classes if you want but at that age it will be of more benefit for you than your DC. I would suggest just taking him/her to a pool yourself and saving your money until he/she is a little older.

Aeroflotgirl · 27/02/2018 17:11

Who I totally disagree, you can learn to swim at any age, it is never too late, 3 is no age. My ds hated the water when he was a baby, so left it until he was about 4, and we signed him up to Ducklings pre school swim group. He loves it, and at 6, and he takes swimming lessons now and really loves them.

user1471426142 · 27/02/2018 17:24

We did water babies from 12 weeks. I’d probably start slightly later with another child but from 5/6 months my daughter loved it and really enjoys her lessons. They are expensive but we wouldn’t have done as much or been as confident doing it ourselves and the pools we’ve had have been significantly warmer than public pools which she struggled with until about 18 months. Splashabout wetsuits are great for giving extra warmth but are a challenge to get on.

TrickyD · 27/02/2018 18:00

The bonus was that he wasn't remotely bothered when he had water poured over his head at his christening.
Sorry to have disobe,yed the MN rule and not included "lighthearted" .

However:
KayTee87:. "My ds didn't bother at all at being christened either at 12wo and he hadn't been swimming yet."
Bully for him. There were quite a few others being processed at the same time as ours and many of them squawked their heads off.

Halfwitpicker : "Yet another reason to be religious"
We are not, but DIL is and her family in Brazil where he was christened are .

Whatwherewhy. : "Must be a bloody extreme christening if you need to practise in a swimming pool first!"

Flip

1 2 3