Baby swimming - where to go

[orchidee]

Does anyone have any recommendations for which swimming pools are particularly baby-friendly? I've looked at the council websites and the information isn't always there. For example pool temp, well-laid-out changing rooms, being able to take your pram into the changing area (which Scotstoun allow!)

Also if anyone has tried any baby swimming lessons I'd appreciate hearing about them. I think water babies sound good but they are very expensive... are they worth it?

I stopped going to Scotstoun as the changing area is always dirty. In addition as the schools use the pool you are limited in the opening times for the teaching pool. The big pool is to cold for babies.

Bellahousten has a graduated kids pool and they have a ducklings type , although not sure of the days. The family changing is controlled by the staff so that they are not used by individuals. It is generally clean and I have left my pram in the viewing area before.

the pool in maryhill is good. it's usually really quiet, and there are big family changing rooms that you can usually access as it's not too busy. it's only recently been opened so the facilities are good and it is generally pretty clean. they have a baby pool- not really deep enough to swim, but enough to splash about in and get used to the water.

when my DD was younger, i took her to ducklings at scotstoun, where they did an exercise to put them underwater. she went from enjoying splashing around to screaming her head off and couldn't be calmed. and when i took her back a couple of weeks later, she started screaming again as soon as she saw the pool. so i wouldn't recommend the class for that reason. also at scotstoun, you never know if the pool will be open to you if you are trying to use it outside of an official class as they have school groups etc and close the teaching pool as a result, but these times are not posted on the website.

I second Maryhill.

I've taken my 14mth old there a few times and have no complaints.

They run a mother and baby class on Sunday afternoons.

Anyone kniw where is good south side or city centre?

The gorbals pool is nice - warm and graduated. Changing area is no worse than most I have seen and has plenty of family changing. Not sure about pram storage. I've heard good things about castlemilk but have never been.

Whatever you do, do not go nezr Springburn. I took DS there a couple of weeks ago and the water was freezing, he loves water and doesn't mind when his bath starts getting cool but this was frozen!

We take our dd to pollock baths. Chose it mainly due to fact classes on weekend mornings so my dh can take her but the lessons have been really fun for her. She loves it.

Good info here, thanks. Not sure brave enough to try Castlemilk, but EK Dollan Baths has just reopened and has a small toddler splash pool.

A 3rd vote for Maryhill. Baby pool is very toasty - just beware the fountainy things, they for some reason are cold water.