When should we start swimming/water awareness classes with bub?

[bronwynmc]

Our boy is 10wks old and our local centre offers baby aqua classes for bubs aged 3mths and up.

Should we enrol now or wait until bub is a little older? Friends have said that bub will get more out of the classes when he is older so perhaps we should hold off until he is 4 or 5mnths old.

What are other parents' experiences with this?

[justmum]

I took my DS to aqua classes from 8 weeks. It was a post natal class - 15 minutes of songs and water awareness for bubs, then out of the pool, feed, settle and sleep in the pram. The mums then jumped back in and did a 45 minutes exercise class while babysitters walked up and down beside the pool, rocking pram, cuddling any unsettled babies, etc.

It was brilliant.

Then DS started his proper swimming lessons once he got too old for this - 6 months.

[mischief79]

DD is 4.5 months and I'm planning to start this week. You can teach them water awareness in the bath if you don't want to go to a pool yet (before immunisations). I fill the bottom of our bath with about 2 inches of water and lay DD on her back. She can kick around and splash and get used to the water. Also in a deep bath she can float with her legs hanging down. But if your local pool takes babies from a young age (under 6 months) then they must think it's worthwhile. I can't wait to start!

[Manxie]

I took my DS to aqua classes from 8 weeks. It was a post natal class - 15 minutes of songs and water awareness for bubs, then out of the pool, feed, settle and sleep in the pram. The mums then jumped back in and did a 45 minutes exercise class while babysitters walked up and down beside the pool, rocking pram, cuddling any unsettled babies, etc.

It was brilliant.

Then DS started his proper swimming lessons once he got too old for this - 6 months.

Wow that sounds fantastic:thumbsup: Wish they had offered that here

[justmum]

Do you have any private hospitals near you? Ring around you'd be surprised. You don't need to have delivered there to go to the classes.

I made lots of friends through those classes too. It was great!

[noniwaldron]

i think the earlier the better, although i heard another mum say recently that her child learning to swim from a really early age has given him no fear of water, so she feels she's got to supervise him really closely and almost make him 'afraid' of it a bit...

btw those postnatal classes sound great, i'm going to ring the big aquatic centre here to see if they have anything like that :D

i LOVE swimming so want to enjoy it with ty as early as possible

[zenifa]

We started DD1's swimming lessons when she was 5 mths, she loved it, was a real water baby and now 2yrs on she is quite confident and competent in the pool for her age.

DD2 has just turned 5mths so she is just about to start.

Personally I think before 5mths may be too soon, but I guess you know your baby best - if they have good head/neck control, can almost sit unsupported, seem alert/interested and love the water - then go for it :thumbsup: Its lots of fun!!

[melbryan]

We have just started Ds1 ( 3) and Ds2, Ds2 is 18mths old and is getting alot out of it, understands about going under water and is learning to dog paddle to the side of the pool. I don't regret not putting them in as for paying the money I want it to be worth it and them actually leanr how to swim. Our new house has a pool so I am big on safety around the pool. I did ask the swim instructor she said around 3-4 yrs they could get to the side of the pool if they fell in but depends on the child.

[quaver]

I am going to book my bub to start next month- 5 months. My husband is going go with him on a Saturday morning (classes with 3 other dads and bubs). He is really looking forward to doing it and will hopefully give him an outlet and other dads to talk to. I get a sleep in!
This may be a very dumb question but do they just wear the little swimmer nappies or do you get togs for them?