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

Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Flip

Original poster

6 months old submersion, swim class

9 replies

jabuti · 28/01/2008 14:52

hi there! im here trying to decide whats the best for my DD and while waiting for my DH to get back from work, i would like to hear your opinion.

my DD, 6 months old, loves the water and is taking swimming classes. today she 'dived', as per teacher instruction, and when she came up, she was about to start crying when my DH, who is in the pool with her while im watching it, started talking and cuddling her and she didnt cry.

im not sure if she liked the experience. of course the impact must have been great, thats why the almost crying. im debating whether to try it again, to see if once the surprise is gone she actually enjoys it, or give it a rest until she is older. i saw a much older baby truly enjoying it.

what do you think?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

thelittleElf · 28/01/2008 14:54

I would give it one more go. She may not be so surprised by the experience a second time around.

A friend of mine has the most amazing photo of her daughter 'diving' as a baby

Original poster

jabuti · 28/01/2008 14:58

im inclined to...

do you think thats where your friend got the picture: www.waterbaby.co.uk/about.php ?

at the leisure centre we cant take any pictures, unfortunately! i would love to take one of her wearing her tiny bathing suit, playing in the water!

OP posts:

PrettyCandles · 28/01/2008 14:59

Keep going. As long as they don't actually get upset it's fine. Of course she was startled, and most babies will cry when startled. Doesn't mean she's upset or harmed by it. In the long run she will benefit from it.

All my 3 have been taken underwater from the age of 3-6m. If you do it regularly with them, and are sensitive to their response and react well to them (as your dh did) you will know instinctively when they've had enough, and need a break from diving. Of course do not dive them if they are distressed. No harm in backtracking and doing 'earlier' things until they regain confidence.

A tip: if the LO needs reassurance/cuddling/distraction when they come up from the dive, do it while keepign their bodies in the water. Don't lift them out of the water completely to cuddle them as then they will (a) become cold and (b) think that something bad has happened to them and be more scared next time they dive.

Relax, get in the water with her and feel the fun.

thelittleElf · 28/01/2008 15:01

The swim class they attended actually arranged for a professional to come and do the under water shots.

Sorry, i don't know the name of the company, but i could try and find out?

minishreddie · 28/01/2008 15:30

Try again.The instuctor of the class I attend with my DD talked us through all the responses you can expect after 'dives' and a cry is quite common. Are you being taught a few word associations to use before dives so that the babies know what to expect?

Oblomov · 28/01/2008 15:35

Keep on going. Ds went to littledippers. He was shocked the first Time, I am sure. But before long was doing it , like a duck to water!!

Maenad · 28/01/2008 15:41

I'm impressed that she didn't actually cry. If my daughter had reacted that calmly I definitely would have continued with the 'dives', but she freaked out completely and didn't calm down for about half an hour. I tried a couple of times with her as a baby but it really wasn't going down well so I didn't bother after that. She's 3 now and gaining confidence in the water but still won't go under and I am not going to force the issue! If I were you I would continue - it sounds as though she will be fine as long as she is reassured and I'm sure it will be very beneficial and confidence building. I also think that she is more likely to react calmly now than if you leave it for a few months.

krugerparkrules · 28/01/2008 18:57

My dd has been going swimming since 4 months (now 8) and has done many submersions. Some she has enjoyed more than others! I would try it again, as you might find she responds differently the next time. Even if you dont do the submersions if its something your dd doesnt like, the classes are always fun, and has given me the experience to take dd swimming on my own.
I did find if dd was tired/hungry I would take her out the water early ...
I think prettycandles advice is pretty spot on, you will learn when they need cuddles, hugs or when they have had enough
good luck for your next swim ...

Original poster

jabuti · 28/01/2008 18:59

thank you ladies! we will stick with the submersions. thank you for the tips too!

and if you ever find out about the professional, let me know thelittleelf

OP posts:

Flip