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Original poster

First time swim

5 replies

leaharrison11 · 02/03/2013 07:45

My DS is 15 months old today and is going threw portage looking at autism pr asperges. He hates his hands in water and a bath is a nightmare.

Today im taking him swimming for the first time to try and see if i can improve this, the pool we are going to is lovely and has w very shallow baby are just ankle deep that gets deeper so if he isnt keen i can keep in in the shallow.

Have any of you ladies got any tips on how to make this experience as enjoyable for DS as possible.

Thanks Grin

OP posts:
StarlightMcKenzie · 02/03/2013 08:33

Very slowly. Sit out of the pool for a while and get used to the atmosphere as pools can be very echoey so don't introduce all sensations at once.

Ineedmorepatience · 02/03/2013 08:44

Dont put any armbands or anything else unknown onto him,just hold him close to you (if he will let you). Take a toy that he likes, it doesnt have to be a water toy and let him play with it in the shallow water.

Take his towel onto the poolside with you so you can get him dry and warm quickly and dont try to stay in too long, 10-15 minutes is probably enough.

Good luckSmile

PipinJo · 02/03/2013 11:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

butterfliesinmytummy · 02/03/2013 11:21

I'm a swimming teacher although I don't specialize in sn swimming lessons. I would take several toys including plastic cups and bowls, often children love filling and pouring around this age. Be aware that the pool area itself is a totally different environment, it smells different and might be noisy, there might be shrieking etc and he'll be wearing a swim nappy and different clothes too. Sit on the side with him and be prepared for him not to get in the water at all. Just let him play with water by the side of the pool first of all and dont move on to getting him in the water untill he shows you he wants to. Take your cues from him and never take a step towards swimming that you haven't built up to. If you enjoy it, he will too.

Original poster
leaharrison11 · 02/03/2013 21:10

Thanks everyone, it went very well i took his cwtch and his dummy with us ( also 5 family members came so he could know so people) and id had the arm bands blown for a few days putting them on and off so he was used to them Smile. We had a few tears and he didnt get off my neck but there was times when he didnt cry so i am very proud of his first time Grin thanks for the help

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