Swimming

I have lived in FL half of my life and have HATED it. It is way too hot for me.

But now that I have the twinnies I can't wait for it to get hot so I can take them swimming. I even got mad at the cold weather we had the last 3 days!

We got all the gear and are ready to go. I was thinking of putting them in lessons if it is reasonable prices.

So when did you start letting your little ones swim and did you get lessons? Did you only use the baby pool or the big people pool if you had 2 adults (one for each twin). Did you use floaties? If so, what kind?

Sorry for all the questions, just super excited for them to start!

 

I didn't have the option of lessons b/c I didn't have another adult who could go with me during the day. But, we often took the boys to the pool in the evenings and on the weekends. It wore them out!!! They loved it. We just held them when they were that age.

ETA: Sorry didn't answer all the ????s. We let them sit up and splash in the baby pool and then we would go over to the big pool side and float with them and just splash around.

 

We did a class through Early Intervention when the twins were around 1 - it wasn't so much swimming lessons as it was getting them comfortable in the water. Because it was through EI it was very inexpensive (except that I had to pay my babysitter to come with me), and we didn't have access to a pool otherwise. If you can go to a pool on your own, I don't know that "lessons" at this age would really accomplish much, but you could certainly try it and see what you think.

We're actually starting our first real lessons this weekend - I think Clarissa is just about ready to learn how to swim for real.

As for floaties - I'm hoping to just never use them. I'd rather they have the incentive to learn how to swim (I feel the same way about training wheels on bicycles . . .)

-Rachel

 

The earlier you start, the better! If you have two adults you don't need lessons to start. You can just get into the water and familiarize them with the concept of a big pool. A baby pool is good to get wet, but you need a real pool for them to really learn how to handle the water. At this age, hold them and let them know the water is fun. Help them splash with their hands. Let them float on their backs with one of your hands under the head and the other under the middle.

Floaties that go on a baby's arms are not recommended by any of the water safety groups. You could use one of those life jacket floatie things where the support is in the back and keeps the baby's head above the water. However, if you're going to be holding the baby, you don't need a float system, just a good tight grip. Your babies might be less comfortable with floaties because they are bulky and new. Without them, you can hold the baby tight to your belly and they'll feel your warmth.

Enjoy!!

 

My son started them at age 17 months and I highly recommend it. It taught him how to wait until my signal to get into the water and how to get out of the water on his own, etc. It was a Red Cross certified class so it may be the same everywhere. He basically respected the water but didn't fear it.
Rachel

 

My husband and I started taking our twins to the local aquatic center (indoors) when they were 6 months. We took them every other Friday night as a family outing. They like it and it wears them out. Last week we started swim lessons. The reason I wanted to do the lessons was for the social aspect. They get to be around other babies and we sing songs and play water games and such with them. It was a big success. So for this type of thing, the big pool is what we use, and we need both of us there.

Now, this summer, my homeowners association has two pools, and a kiddy pool. I will probably take them to hang out in the kiddy pool with just me. We shall see. And no, I don't think we will use floaties at this point. I would consider a baby innertube type thing with sunshade if I thought my husband would be able to come to the pool much with us, but I doubt that will happen with his work.

 

My family loves the water! My girls have already been in the pool a couple of times (see avatar). I went way overboard in my excitement of the cuty tiny swim suits and my girls each have 5! My parents have a pool and we turned the heater on so the water wasn't too cool, we've been swimming since last month.

I looked into survival swim lessons, in case one of my babies ever accidently falls in the pool, but the cost is $75 per week per child, and is a minimum of 6 weeks. It just so happens my brother is a swim coach for a highschool here in town, so I've already asked him if he'll give my girls swim lessons!

We don't have a baby pool, we always bring the girls in the big pool. We don't use floaties either, mine are not going to be old enough for that this summer. We got them little floatie life jackets for next summer though.

 

Great question! I was thinking about swimming lessons as well especially since I canNOT swim! :icon_eek: