Has anyone taken their babies swimming with 'waterbabies'?

[AC786]

I just wanted to know your experiences please! I now that they submerge babies which is scaring me a little! On the other hand, I am excited at the prospect of taking LO swimming!

Did it with DS (now nearly 5) since he was 4 months. Handsdown the best class I did with him.

It was in a naice hotel so we tended to stay for a coffee afterwards with the other parents.

We moved him to a swim school once waterbabies finished and he is doing really well which in part I feel is due to his water confidence developed at waterbabies.

I am not sure you need to do classes with them that young, but he loved it and it taught me how to play with him in the water.

Have DC2 booked in from sept when she'll (all being well) be 4 months.

Yes, took DS from 12 weeks to 16 months. He mostly enjoyed it at first but then found it a bit regimented. He loves being in water but just to play around. I go now with DD, started at 6 weeks, mainly because they use a nice warm pool at a school otherwise not open to public. It is expensive but well-structured and feta them confident in water.

I started wbabies with DS when he was 12weeks and it has been an amazing experience. He totally loves it and at 2yo is so confident in the water. He loves shouting all the voices commands and practices in the bath ( his own doing, not mine). He can swim solo using a woggle, has no problems being submerged and loves seeing all his pals. It is expensive but I think it has been rewarding and if we had to cut back on the groups/activities it would be the last to go. They usually do a free taster session so I would say give it a go and see how you get on. My DS did go underwater in the first session but that's only because i was comfortable for that to happen, I was also anxious beforehand but I had a super instructor who explained everything and I trusted her - DS was fine with it, he just looked around abit shocked as if to say "what just happened?" there was no tears or choking and we haven't looked back since. I agree with fernando, try to be confident and relaxed as your baby will pick up on your feelings. Have fun!!

Thank you! How deep are the pools? I am only 5foot 2!

I took both my DC to Waterbabies from 6 months to just over 3 for DS and from 12 weeks for DD and we still go now, she will be 4 in August and this will be our last term with Waterbabies .

We have all absolutely loved it. Both were able to swim unaided between 2.5 and 3.

DS went through many "wobbles", but we persevered and I'm very glad we did.

MNetters are mostly pretty snooty about Waterbabies type classes, but they saved my sanity while on mat leave and I think it has been money well spent for us.

The dunking under the water is nothing to worry about.

My Dcs went to the local council lessons from 6 months and 1 yr. i think they are alot cheaper than waterbabies. Both dcs are teens now and love swimming. DS is a qualified lifeguard and Dd just passei her bronze medallion.
I don't regret a penny we have spent on swimming lessons.

DD started with Aquababies at 4 months and is now (at 14 months) with Waterbabies (we moved and Aquababies doesn't cover our new area.

She loves and is so confident in the water. Personally, I think it's really important kids learn to swim early as it could save their life one day - and a large part of the classes focuses on getting them used to turning round, getting to the side and holding on. V.useful should they ever be unfortunate enough to fall in!

AC786 - most if the pools used gave a shallow end and you can do pretty much all the lesson there it at a depth you're comfortable at. One of the pools WB in my area is deeper than most so they advise against anyone of a certain height and under not to use that pool. So I'd say if there were any concerns, they'd highlight them in advance

Enjoy! There is something really lovely about being in the water with your baby. Very sweet and bonding. Lots of opportunities for cuddles and kisses!

I started taking dd when she was 11wk old. We did 5 terms, she loved it up until the last term so we called it a day, didnt want to force it and give her a phobia. When we go swimming now (she is 2.5yr old, we stopped about a yr ago) she still does the monkey monkey and tiger arms. I think we went under water on the 2nd or 3rd lesson but this didnt concern me before hand. She loved it when she was s baby. Its pricey in comparison to other baby lessons but well worth it IMO.

Thank you! Would you choose a warm pool with poor facilities or a hotel pool at a cooler ie normal temperature?