What do you think about "baby-swim" lessons?

[Seekrit]

Just a question about that.. I for one love having Cobes in his baby-swim lessons, he's quite confident in the water (puts his face under and is now not coming up spluttering) and knows to grab for the edge, hangs on and climbs out, calls out when he can't climb out and is trying SO HARD to turn around when he falls in.

I've been speaking to various people (having a wee brag about how he kicks as soon as he's on his tummy and all of the above) and some are horrified that he goes to 'drown proofing' lessons, thinking they're more of a hazard as they teach babies too much confidence around the water.

What do you think? How do you feel about baby-swim lessons?

I know my mum decided they were paid for 25 years ago when my sister - then 3, fell into a pool, sprung off the bottom, held onto the edge and cried.

[Lollie86]

I think they are great! :thumbsup: It is so important to teach children early about water safety. :yes:

[Lil X-men]

Umm I am sorry but I cant see how educating a child about swim safety can be a hazard???
Yes they gain confidence in the water, so that if they happen to fall in then they can get their way to the edge and climb out.
If they arent taught this then they are likely to struggle and drown!!!:crying:
My DS has been in lessons since 6months old and is an excellent swimmer, at 2.5yrs old he is a better swimmer than me:o
We have a pool at home so pool safety is paramount in our house , Zeke will start classes at six months old:yes:
Good on you for having Cobes in classes it could well save his life.
My DS1 fell in the pool a couple of months ago ( the water was so cold as it was winter).I was installing a new creepy crawly and he was "helping" me. When he fell in he instantly swam to the edge and climbed out. Once he was out he started crying in shock of what had happened, but I was so proud that he knew exactly what to do to save himself despite being in very cold water.
Swim lessons save lives IMO:yes:

[subaruforestermum]

I started DS earlier this year, as I got free lessons, I just never found the time earlier like I had hoped!

He is now in his 2nd term of lessons and is doing really well, learning water safety and gaining confidence, so it equals out. He knows he has to wait for mum etc before he gets in, I count to 3 then he jumps in etc...climb in on tummy, which is the 'safety climb in', monkies onto the edge by himself, we also teach them to fall in backwards then turn themselves over to be able to turn around and swim back to the wall....

I think its great, there is a little girl that goes to the same swim school as DS and she is younger, and is an awesome little swimmer, sometimes a bit too confident as she is not at that listening stage yet....but yeah, I'm all for them!

[sam's mum]

I agree that they are essential.

DD1 fell in a pool at a party when she was 3. She turned herself around and swam to the edge and was starting to monkey her way along to the steps when we fished her out.

she wasn't upset at all, but the 7yo who had been walking next to her was devastated that he 'let' it happen. It took us a while to convince him that it wasn't his fault.

My understanding is that the majority of kids have trouble because when they fall in they try to swim to the edge that they can see, when if they turn they could touch the edge behind them. The only way they will do this is to practice, practice, practice.

[MammaMia]

I think they are good ... at the very least, they are a fun time with parent & child.

My eldest started at 12 months with his Dad and has been in swimming lessons ever since.

My DD started at 6 months with me and has just graduated to being in the pool without me. She's very proud that she's a 'big girl'.

I was very scared of the water as a child, and I wanted my kids to feel at ease in the water. It's never a substitute for parental supervision but for me, the confidence and enjoyment is worth the investment in $$ and time.

[Leeny]

I think they're fantastic. I still cant really swim. I can paddle around a bit, and I could save myself in a pool easily, but deffinately not in the ocean.

I think its so important to teach kids how to react if they fall in a pool. I've been taking gwen since she was 6 or 7 months old, and shes in a dolphin class now, and I just sit beside the pool like a proud mum and watch :D

Yesterday, she was in a smaller pool, and where the kids had to climb out, there was a fence which made it a bit harder for the kids, and gwen actually slipped off and fell into the pool. She was fine. Shes deffinately still learning, but she didnt panic, and she wasnt upset. She was actually smiling when she come out the water.

Kids that dont expect it, panic, take a gulp of water, start to choke, and drown.

Kids that take lessons, hold thier breath, blow bubbles if they're old enough, and try to get back to the edge. Its such a big difference.

[Bron]

I love them. DS has just started (he's 6 months) and as MammaMia says, they are a lovely play time with your baby. I also think they are very important in teaching safety around water. We don't have a pool, but we love the beach, walk the dog at the river and have friends with pools. I want DS to learn how to be comfortable and safe in the water.

[moonblossom]

I'm all for them. EXCEPT for the stupid **** who dunked Alexander under at his first lesson.

He had always loved the water, he wasn't afraid of it at all. Bathtime was usually twice a day because he loves the water running over his head .

After that first lesson, and first dunking, he was terrified for weeks. It took me ages to get him used to water again. What annoys me the most, is i TOLD HER not to dunk him on his first visit, I made it very very clear, and she did anyway. Ummm yeah, I havent taken him back. But we will be taking him to the pool this summer, hopefully he wont freak.

[ziggie]

I don't think they're bad... just not nessessary until they're a bit older. That's JMO though.

I'll start taking Mitch when he's about 3. He's never around water unless I'm there with him, so there's no need yet.

Plus, a friend of mine takes her DD, and she's contantly getting ear infections.