When did you first take your DC swimming?

[bikerunski]

My DS is nearly 7 weeks old and 10 lbs. I am keen to take him to the water ducklings classes at local baths. One lifeguard told me that it's ok to bring them from 4 weeks, another said 6 months and health visitor said 4 weeks too.

I also guess he needs to be big enough to fit a swim nappy too.

I have been a good swimmer all me life, DH can't swim. I would like DS to gain confidence in the water as soon as poss. I have expressed interest in private water confidence lessons in private pool starting in December, but was wondering if it is worthing trying ds in local baths first. Concerned that it might be too cold (water is kept at 28 degrees and not warmed up for ducklings sessions) and too big and echoey?

My two were born in a pool.

I took mine at 12 weeks. I had to wait until then because they had to have some jabs (can't remember what for but the normal sort of jabs).

Agree entirely about water confidence etc. I took mine to swimming lessons from 4, one of the best things I ever did for them.

Took DS at 6 months and DD at 4 months. DS is now 2.8 and very confident in the water (wearing a vest with bouyancy). You just have to watch for them getting too cold very easily. I wouldn't put my baby in a pool that didn't feel quite warm as it gets very cold for them when getting out as well. I just put my toddler in anyway as he can actually tell me if he is too cold.

The lady who I asked about swimming classes at the local leisure centre said there was no point in taking children to any sort of classes until they were about three.
I do agree that my DS will not benefit much from classes until around that age, but
I do take him (he's now 18 months)for the odd splash about just to keep him used to the water.

I think that they can enjoy it before it has any value though

My DD (10 months nearly) really does seem to love it