Swimming lessons

Our local parks and rec offers swimming lessons at 6m of age. Their next class stars in Sept. The boys will be about 7m then. Do you think it is worth taking them this small?? My parents have a pool and we plan to have our boys very active in the pool during the summers. I'm not sure I could teach them anything as I can't even go under water w/o holding my nose.

If I do take them in Sept, can I take them by myself or would I need a helper? I should call and see what they suggest, but I was just curious if 7mon. is still kinda early. What do you all think?

 

I don't think it's too early, but I do think you would need a helper. One slippery baby in a pool is a handfull, two would be almost impossible! Especially if you are trying to follow along with the activities that the class is doing.

 

I had my oldest in swimming at that age - it is more fun than anything. It makes babies comfortable in pools - it really doesn't teach them how to swim.

Angel

 

My Nefeli started going at 6 months. She enjoys it alot and laughs and plays in the water. She is not learning how to swim as much as enjoying herself with her father. Also, it is very helpful for her motor development and muscle tone. There is no way I can think of to take two babies on your own. If you have someone else to go with you and you can each have one baby in the pool that would be great. You don't need to be able to swim well or dive underwater at our baby swimming classes. The pool is shallow enough to stand in and you can't really put your head underwater since you have to be watcing the baby at all times. Have fun and make sure someone flims you!

 

I plan on taking all of the kids for swimming lessons when the girls are 6 or 7 months adjusted. I will definetly take someone with me to help, and I would even if I was just taking the girls.

 

You will definitely need one person for each child. My older daughter takes swim classes on Sundays and when my husband is in the mood, we will take the twins in the water. They really love it. I have a friend who used to teach the infant class and he has taught me some songs that they use to teach water safety to babies.... very cute. The focus for his classes is to get babies comfortable with water and in the habit of rolling over and floating, so that if a baby should ever fall into the water, it knows to roll over and face up.

Good luck and have fun with your babies.

Cat

 

Thanks everyone. I can't wait to take them. Of course the lessons take place right in the middle of the day when everyone is working. I'll have to figure something out.

 

We just finished our session of swimming lessons, they started at 11 months. I don't think it's too soon, although depending on the age range for the lessons they won't be able to do everything. It mainly taught ours comfort in the water, plus gave us some tips (like blow in their face right before putting them underwater, stuff like that). Both DH and I were swimmers in our earlier years, so we are totally comfortable teaching them how to actually swim, but the instructor had great tips on how to ease them into things that we didn't know.

My girls absolutely loved it and I am a little concerned because they really have no fear of the water. My mom just bought them some of those bathing suits with the floaties built right in, for when they are by the lake with their nanny (as she doesn't really swim).

And I think you'd need someone to help you. Our class was parent participation and DH and I were in the pool with them.

 

We started our older DD at 6 mths and she loved it. It's just playing and getting used to being in water. The twins weren't so lucky but 2 weeks ago we started with them. Our eldest can now go into lessons on her own so while she's doing that DH and I take the babies to their own class. They love it too. They also teach you how to safely get in/out holding baby and how to get them to hold their breath and go under water. I'd say it's worth doing just to have some fun.

 

I want to start swimming lessons too. My mom said she did it with me when I was 6 months and it was a great experience. I would totally go for it. I'm sure they will have a great time.