Underwater swimming for 5 month old? Is it safe to do without classes?

[SnowlightMcKenzie]

I can't take up swimming classes for various practical reasons but am going on hols next week where there is an indoor warm pool and was wondering if it was safe to let my baby swim underwater.

If it is, does anyone have a link to information, safety advice etc.

Many TIA

I wouldnt do underwater swimming but you may be okay with a few dunks under the water. If your lo isnt used to the water then swooshing about and a few splashes on his/her face would probably be safer.

We've been doing Water Babies classes since DD was 6 mo and they swim underwater. We also did it at Center Parcs (Holland) under instruction.

BUT I wouldn't want to do it unsupervised TBH. A trained swimming teacher has to have lifesaving certificates.

I won't comment on whether I think it's safe

If you could get hold of one of these books it might give you a plan (dare I say routine) to follow.

My sister followed the water babies scheme with all four of hers and showed me how to dunk. Dunking is the most difficult bit, the swimming happens when you let go with your hands.

Are you going anywhere nice?

When are you going - would you get this in time?

Hey Ninja

My DH works opposite a Waterstones so I might send him in there. I don't think I have any problem dunking. I used to do it to my DS loads.

LOL, you must think I'm always on holiday!!

ILs are in south of spain for 6 weeks. My parents have a timeshare there so we're going out for a week, and it is just costing the flights.

We did it this time last year. My ILs find it stressful when we visit their house and so do we (toddlers not allowed to touch their walls, or even eat without a hundred splashmats on the floor), and they don't like travelling to us, so it is a way of getting quality time with their grandkids iyswim.

Because there are two adults, it will be possible to take DS and DD swimming at the same time and I'm really looking forward to it.

That sounds great - I did wonder if you were secretly a millionaire

I found that M wasn't wnder water any longer with swimming than dunking. However I wouldn't have had the confidence if it wasn't for my sister.

Thanks ninja

i watched a couple of lessons where they dunked under water and did it with some friends but didn't let go. am not bothering now cause he's quite happy bobbing around in the water watching everything that's going on. it was more so he doesn't get a fear of water but he doesn't mind it splashing on his face so is o.k.
if baby isn't used to swimming pools at all you could practice in the bath swishing them around and doing little splashes on baby's face.