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Parenting

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Original poster

Swimming help

10 replies

Weezie85 · 26/07/2012 19:47

Ok folks, so my DD is now 8 weeks with jabs done. I want to take her swimming but have no idea what to expect. How do I go about it. Any tips?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

KickTheGuru · 26/07/2012 19:58

I used to teach kids and babies to swin - 8 weeks is literally just dangle her in the water and see her reaction. If she enjoys it, hold her and walk around and bounce her. Don't put her head under the water and don't wet her face.

Don't force her either. If she cries and hates it, get out. Rather let her know that if she doesn't like it today, she doesn't have to do it. Take it slowly and do whatever she wants.

That way, when she can crawl, you can properly teach her and she will be comfortable in the water. Get her comfortable in it now :)

Good luck

Original poster

Weezie85 · 26/07/2012 20:08

Thank you. I am hoping she will enjoy it, she seems to love bath time. :)
Do you only stay in a short time?

OP posts:

KickTheGuru · 26/07/2012 20:13

She will probably get niggly when she has had enough. Also remember (you'll notice!) that she may get cold fairly quickly because she isn't moving around in the water.

To start with, it's about getting her used to it. And making sure she doesn't develop a fear.

My parents booted us in the pool when we could crawl and taught us to swim to the side. From when she can crawl and is a bit more adventurous, you can start playing a bit more. Start slowly and probably keep it short enough so that you don't start to feel cold - she'll be freezing then! :)

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OddBoots · 26/07/2012 20:20

A neoprene suit will kep her warm for longer than a regular swimsuit. One like this

KickTheGuru · 26/07/2012 20:30

Oooh yes good plan! :)

maples · 26/07/2012 20:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Weezie85 · 26/07/2012 20:55

Hi, the only ones near us are the waterbabies and although it looks really good it is expensive when we don't have the extra money coming in.

OP posts:

Morph2 · 26/07/2012 21:30

i took my DS swimming for the first time at 8 weeks. (he's now 2.2 btw). went with my mum and remember saying we would just stay in for 10 mins first time as didn't want to overdo things but he absolutely loved it and we ended up staying half an hour. It was baby pool at david lloyd so nice and warm tho. When he started going in big pool i got him once of those baby wetsuites from mothercare. He still goes swimming about once or twice a week now and loves it. He can't swim yet although he can abit with armbands on. I think until they're about 3 its more to do with building up confidence.

Ozziegirly · 27/07/2012 06:53

We started at about 3 months I think and he used to stay in for about 20 mins at first before going a bit blue around the lips, even in a warm pool. He loved it though, I just used to hold him under the arms facing me and swoosh him around or walk backwards with him facing me. Then just cuddling in the water is nice too.

He's now nearly 2 and has been going regularly and he is very confident, can jump in by himself, get in safely (sitting on the side and twisting to get in and hold on), float by himself and do the "paddle and kick" motion (although he can't swim unaided yet).

It's one of our fave things to do, and when they are small it totally wears them out - I used to go every day in the summer at about 4.30 and he would sleep like a dream afterwards.

pigleychez · 30/07/2012 09:15

I took both my DD's when they were about 8 weeks. They only last about 15mins or so before getting cold, but both seemed to love it.

They both started Waterbabies classes at about a yr old. They are expensive but we feel worth every penny! Sooo much fun! The girls have so much confidence in the water and their swimming is coming along great.
DD1 just turned 4 and can swim a width unaided (7metres) with ease.
She also has her 5 metre and stage 2 badge.
DD2 is 2.2 and can swim small distances (about a metre) unaided.
They both adore swimming!

We had the waterbabies photo's done too which cost a small fortune but are fab! - Pics on my profile.

Anyway, definitely get her used to the water and swimming.
Agree with the wetsuit too. DD2 wears a proper speedo wetsuit in the pool as she still gets chilly quickly (She's all skin and bones! )

Take a towel to the poolside with you to wrap her up straight away.
Dont bother with armbands either ( ive seen this alot!) you will be holding onto her (I hope!) so its pointless... plus they are twice the size of the baby! :)
We had a float seat but neither girls liked it and preferred to have free movement.

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