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Original poster

So anxious about taking baby swimming

13 replies

cookiecutter78 · 02/09/2020 07:30

My best friend and I had our first babies at the same time (two days apart!) and have booked to start swimming lessons together with our LOs, who are both almost 4 months old. The classes start on Friday.

I thought it would be a really fun thing to do for all of us, but as the day approaches, I’m getting increasingly anxious about it.

Things going through my mind are: What if the chlorine harms my baby’s skin? What if he gets an infection from all the germs in the pool? Will the water harm his eyes or ears? Do they dunk babies underwater at these classes and could he be left traumatized? What if there’s a horrible accident and he ends up slipping underwater and drowning?

I’m thinking of pulling out but my friend is really looking forward to it (and I was too until now!) I’d also lose my money. I’m a very anxious person and just want to keep my baby safe and not expose him to any unnecessary risks.

Am I being irrational or should I cancel?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

DracoDormiens · 02/09/2020 07:33

I think you know you are being irrational. Babies go swimming all the time. Please go with your friend. Sometimes it’s hard to break the cycle of anxiety but having friends support you is the best way to do so.

FippertyGibbett · 02/09/2020 07:33

I took my first to the pool as a baby because that’s what I thought you were supposed to do, it was encouraged.
She actually just got cold and cried, so I didn’t take her again until she was old enough to actually enjoy it.

becca3210 · 02/09/2020 07:36

My baby is the same age and we have started swimming recently he absolutely loves it. He has had no bad reactions to anything. It is all about gently introducing them to the water so nothing scary. Have fun!

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Snailsetssail · 02/09/2020 07:40

No the water won’t do any damage to his skin or eyes.

He won’t slip under water, you will have hold of him all the time. If by and chance you did let go he would go under for a millisecond before you fished him back out unharmed.

Most classes involve a small under water aspect, however this is completely optional and you do not have to take part in this bit at all. My little one had frequent ear infections as a baby so we often missed out that part of the lesson.

It’s a lovely thing to do with your baby, go and enjoy it!

Heyha · 02/09/2020 07:42

You can rule out the dirty water worry straight away by thinking about your other worries- the chlorine is there to deal with that. Then when you consider the amount of babies that go swimming with no troubles at all that should help with those fears.

So that just leaves the accident concern and because you're worried you will be hyper vigilante anyway. The dunking, I don't know as I don't enjoy swimming so my DD will go when she's older, but if they do it you could opt out I guess?

Equally if you don't want to go, don't, it's not like missing a medical appointment or similar, but I think I'd go once just to see.

user1493413286 · 02/09/2020 07:42

I think it’s normal to worry but it will be fine; baby pools are normally very warm and my DD loved swimming lessons as a baby.

Hardbackwriter · 02/09/2020 07:46

Taking a little baby swimming is totally unnecessary (and I say that as someone who did it and enjoyed it a lot) but getting yourself used to doing things that you see as not completely 'safe' is necessary, as almost nothing will pass your tests otherwise and it will become more and more restrictive for you and - importantly - your baby. If you cancel now it'll set a precedent of the anxiety winning that I think you'll find hard to break.

Babs709 · 02/09/2020 07:47

I think the answer to a lot of your questions is “then you deal with it”.

If your baby has a reaction, is hurt, is upset... then you deal with it.

I suspect you’re actually asking if these things are likely. I don’t know what the statistics are, but I’m not familiar with any of this ever happening. Most baby swimming lessons do dunk them after a few lessons in, because it’s perfectly safe to do so. It’s not traumatising, it’s teaching them.

“Not exposing them to any unnecessary risks” would involve never teaching them to swim and then taking them onto a boat or to the seaside or whatever. But that doesn’t mean you have to start teaching him at 4 months.

Yes you’re being irrational but that’s your prerogative as his parent. Pull him from the lessons if you’re not comfortable with it (or are going to be so nervous the whole time that you make it a stressful experience for everyone involved). You’re not being a bad parent if you decide not to take him swimming.

Either way, see if you can address your anxiety somehow? I’m not sure what help is available or appropriate. But I think it needs addressing.

Breastfeedingworries · 02/09/2020 07:47

I took My dd soon as I could after a c section so 6 weeks old. She loved it, I’ve got photos of her from a really young age.

She’s 21 months and we start lessons again on the 7th, I’m hoping she’ll love it as much as she used too.

I’ve found swimming has made her more advanced, physically she’s met mile stones earlier. She’s jumping with both feet and has been since she was 19 months old. Mentally she’s learnt games in the water which we can play outside of it.

Swimming is underrated, it’s so beneficial and they have a huge sleep after so I choose a morning session, feed her lunch then it’s long nap while I relax

AriettyHomily · 02/09/2020 07:47

I think it's all a lot of gaff for a few minutes in the pool and I say that as an avid swimmer. I'd also check the COVID rules as some are draconian, the changing rooms aren't open at ours and any classes involving a parent in the water are nit back in yet.

However no harm will come to you baby.

JoanieCash · 02/09/2020 07:51

Don’t let the anxiety win. Also, teaching kids to swim very young so they don’t panic if they fall In water later might also save their life. Just do it! You don’t have to do the dunking, but the reason they do it is to get kids used to water and they mostly love it.

becca3210 · 05/09/2020 09:02

Did you go swimming in the end? If so how did you find it?

modgepodge · 05/09/2020 15:17

My swim school is open, parents are in the water and changing rooms are open at the pools we use. I’m sure the OP wouldn’t have been able to sign up to classes if they weren’t available.

OP, we started taking our daughter at 6 weeks - with hindsight it was a bit early and she didn’t enjoy it til about 4 months, so if i have another I’ll wait until then. For medical reasons we were advised not to dunk her, we told the teacher and that was that, no dunking. They also won’t dunk a child who’s really crying, and once they’re old enough to show they don’t want to do it, they won’t do it. However, the babies in the lesson who did do it were largely unbothered and are all fit and well!

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