what age do you start swimming lessons??

[confusd]

My daughter is 3 months old and LOVES the water i was just wondering if anyone knew what age babies can start swimming lessons??:confused:

I think it would be good for her as she would enjoy it being in the water and also we live around alot of creeks, dams and national parks so it would be good to know if she somehow fell in she could get to the side (obviously that wont be for a while but)

[our3boys]

i would ring up some of your local swimming classes ask around your ara because there are alot of places that start mum and bub classes at three months old the one i used to take ds to when he was a baby does it is such a good thing for them to experience the water and gives you a place to meet other mums.

[cheezelz]

I started my DD at 5 months at a country swim centre. They took babies form their 6 week check up.

We now go to State Swim in Adelaide and they only take babies from 6 months although a smaller centre down the road take them from 4 months.

It all depends on where you go so I would give a few places a call. It is well worth the time.

[Cordelia]

Most places are 6 months

[justmum]

I did post natal aqua aerobics at the hospital where I had DS. This involved 15 minutes of swim and songs with bubs at the beginning of the class. Once the 15 mins was up it was out of the pool, shower, change, feed and settle bubs into the pram to be watched over by baby sitters while the mums hopped back in for a 45 min aqua aerobics class. Because it was with a physio it was rebatable on private health. They took bubs from 6 weeks but recommended waiting until 8 weeks after first round of immunisations. DS did this once or twice a week from 2 to 6 months. We loved it :smiliedance:

[MummaBear03]

They take them from 4 months here but recommend "mum and bub" sessions which are from 6 weeks. All you pay for is the entry fee as it's just the mum and baby having a play and a splash. I took my dd from 6 weeks then put her in classes later.

[zenifa]

The swim school my DD1 attends, they start swimming lessons at 3mths (most others I've seen start babies at 6mths).
However, we started DD1 when she was 5 mths, as she had better head, neck control and could sit, so we felt she was more ready to start - always loved baths and showers, a real water baby. Next week it will be 2 yrs since she started and she loves it!! She is very confident and for her level is swimming really well, can get in/out of the water by herself, swim 5+ metres etc.

We will probably start DD2 at 5-6mths, although currently (3mths) she is quite strong with her head/neck, loves to sit (supported) and also loves baths, showers etc. For me, 3mths seems a little too young, but I guess its a personal choice.
Most swim schools offer a free orientation/evaluation of your child to see if they are ready to start.

[confusd]

:iagree: i do think three months is a little young for actual swimming lessons but i wouldnt mind taking her an actuall swimming pool (or even the beach if it ever gets sunny)just something bigger than the bath

i didnt know they had mum and bubs classes so i'll have to check that out....would they allow babies in the pool other than during the "mum and bubs" classes...and do you keep the nappy on or just swimmer bottoms?? (the wee will get in the water either way:eek::confused:)

[sleepymummy]

Birth, we should all start lessons at birth. Does not have to be in the pool. Can do in the bath to start. I recommend everyone goes here http://www.worldwideswimschool.com/catalog/free.php and takes the 5 free online lessons on how to teach bubs to swim, actually it is more about getting them ready for swimming lessons, and knowing when they are ready. It has some really good tips.

[MummaBear03]

I was taking DD into the pool every day for half an hour from 6 weeks. Just took her down and had a swim with her in the big 50m pool. As for the nappy, I had a swim set for her with the swimming nappy and sunshirt when she was that age, but also Huggies have "Little Swimmers" swim nappies kinda like pull-ups, they tear at the sides if you need to take them off like that. I probably would have had her in the water sooner but she was an August baby and it was very windy which made it too cold to take her but by September it was nicer weather.

[confusd]

Birth, we should all start lessons at birth. Does not have to be in the pool. Can do in the bath to start. I recommend everyone goes here http://www.worldwideswimschool.com/catalog/free.php and takes the 5 free online lessons on how to teach bubs to swim, actually it is more about getting them ready for swimming lessons, and knowing when they are ready. It has some really good tips.

thanks for that web site it had some use full information on there.

Since i know i can take her to the pool this early i might take her down there for a day to see how she goes!! she might not like being in a big "bath" (hope she does :fingerscrossed:)

[iamLilysmummy]

im thinking of taking lily to swimming lessons.. shes nearly 6 months!!!

[alexsmom]

we started swimming lessons at 12 weeks- its great! Bubs loved it from day one and he was being dunked under after about 3-4 weeks!