To hate baby swimming classes

[cherrytree975]

I took my baby to a few swim classes last year and hated the whole experience. I felt my DC (who was only five months old at the time) was way too young to get anything out it, and the lessons felt rushed and stressful - mainly due to Covid to be fair. I also hated the idea of dunking such a small child underwater.

I do want to try swimming again at some point as it’s an important skill to learn, but probably when he’s a bit older and I won’t be wasting my money. Do kids get more out of it when they’re say two or three years old?

I don't think anyone is doubting what is taught @bruffin. It's just how essential it is for a 5 month old baby to learn how to hold onto the side of a swimming pool. If a parent doesn't enjoy or want to do baby swimming lessons it is not going to disadvantage their baby in any way. They'll be able to learn when older.

Just hope the pro baby swimmers aren’t trumpeting these “facts” to make other new mothers feel like shit for not taking their baby swimming

If it helps, none of my 3 went to baby swimming, and all became qualified Lifeguards once they turned 16 and earned money from swimming throughout 6th form and University
My nephew whose Mum did take him to all those sorts of groups (as her dh was out of the house at least 12 hours every day and she needed company for her own sake), really doesn't like swimming or being about pools and water as an adult, or when he was a teen. So I really don't think there is any correlation in terms of swimming skills.

I really liked baby swimming - and it was the only baby class I did like, I loathed sensory and the music thing I tried - but I agree it's totally unnecessary if you don't like it. I did try taking him to the pool on my own though and didn't like that, so I'm not sure I agree that that's exactly the same - I splashed around with him a bit and did everything I could think of and then looked at the clock and two minutes had gone, and tbh I felt self-conscious and a bit of a prat talking and singing to him on my own in a pool full of strangers, so I guess for me I did feel that I needed the structure and group.

My ds was traumatised from there obsession of dunking babies underwater . I was teaching him to swim just before Covid no doubt he's forgotten anything seeing he was 2 the last time he went swimming and now just turned 4 due to Covid I was unable to take him swimming last year.

@BackforGood

Just hope the pro baby swimmers aren’t trumpeting these “facts” to make other new mothers feel like shit for not taking their baby swimming

If it helps, none of my 3 went to baby swimming, and all became qualified Lifeguards once they turned 16 and earned money from swimming throughout 6th form and University
My nephew whose Mum did take him to all those sorts of groups (as her dh was out of the house at least 12 hours every day and she needed company for her own sake), really doesn't like swimming or being about pools and water as an adult, or when he was a teen. So I really don't think there is any correlation in terms of swimming skills.

My 2 were the same, NPLQ and earnt money from lifeguarding from 16 and at uni, dd was also lg at camp america, we also had a lot of pleasure from baby lessons , it was fun and they learnt water confidence at the same time Im havnt said Op should cary on if she hates it, that would be counter productive

@MsTSwift

Just hope the pro baby swimmers aren’t trumpeting these “facts” to make other new mothers feel like shit for not taking their baby swimming 🙄

Why on Earth woulf anybody do that? Opinions were asked for. Most people who've said it was beneficial have also said if the child or parent do not enjoy it then there is no point. Why would anybody feel "like shit"? It's totally up to them whether they choose to go or not. 🤷🏻‍♀️

If you and your baby enjoy it, then do it. If you don't, then stop. Unless you spend time near an unprotected pool.

My DD hated baby swimming, so we stopped. She pretty much learned to swim aged 4 on holiday, and when she started school, we put her in for proper (group) lessons. She is a really great swimmer now (eg decent butterfly stroke aged 7). But we always hovered close to her around water until she became a very confident swimmer.

Otoh, my friend was caring for her baby on the side of her parents' pool (in SA) when she heard a splash. She belatedly looked up to see her 3yo - who had fallen in - swimming to the side. Her baby swimming lessons were definitely worthwhile!!

DS has been going since he was 4 months, save Covid interruptions. He loves it and I love the lengthy nap it inspires. I would say though he's just over two and can do a weird doggy paddle, is very confident in the water and does things like automatically returns to the side , blows bubbles when he's underwater etc, so there's some method to it. For me it is just a nice activity to do in all weathers that was a bit active. Now our working days have changed DH takes him and he loves it, but if it's not for you i don't think it'll have any lasting impact not taking them!

My first started around 4 months and absolutely loved it. I knew he would not learn to swim but it was me getting out if the house and doing something fun with him. Plus I hoped he would get some water affinity. He didn't mind being dunked. He loved it. We stopped at level three and he now fears being dunked. That's fine but I hope to start him -just one term before he starts cheaper council ones at 3. I now have a 4 month old and we will do again after lockdown. I wonder if she will love them as she has opposite temperament from my first. But they are ridiculously and I asked my DH if we really should just forget them. Ditto baby sensory