what age to take baby swimming ?

Bestthingsinlifearefree

Hi !

My lovely son is now at the ripe old age of 3 months and is a real water baby he loves his bath time and can be in the bath for ages and be very content.

Mrs Best now wants to see if there are any local baby swimming classes /activities etc.

3 months seems very young for me to take him swimming ?

Am I worring about nothing or is there something I should be worried about e.g him picking up an infection or chlorine in the water etc etc

What age did you first take your little one swimming ?

Any advice / tips / thoughts. Much appreciated.

Best,

Gingham_Ribbon

Check with your pool. Lots have great classes for babies. Most like the baby to have had their first set of innoculations.

It's useful to know the signs of when baby is starting to get too cold too. They sometimes can only manage about 10 mins at that age.

Woby_Tide

about a week or two after he had his injections we took ours so just after 3 months, no real need to pay for any classes or anything at that age, just get them used to the water and enjoy it. Once they get a bit more independent and used to it then have a look at what classes might be available, normally some mother and baby ones at most places but in fairness they are generally only doing what you could do yourself

Katyag

The latest info is that you dont need to wait til they have had their first set of jabs now.

Its up to you really, we first took DS when he was 4 months, i had a fear of water when i was younger and wanted to introduce him early and get him used to it so he didnt. It worked, hes 5 now loves the water and will happily stand at the edge and throw himself in. He is beginning to swim too. We didnt want to put him to lessons as DH wanted to teach him himself.

We found a baby seat very useful when he was tiny, and now he always wears special swimming shoes as i hate to see kids running around the edges and then falling and cracking their heads on the floor.

Good luck, its loads of fun!

cruella_de_vile

I agree, after they have had their 1st set of jabs they should be ok, have fun!

tumbleweed261

Hi!

I'm a swimming instructor in the US and we're not allowed to start swimming lessons with little ones until they are 6 months old (I don't teach here though, so I'm not up on the UK rules). Mummy/Daddy and me classes would be an excellent place to start - perhaps check with your local leisure centre? Swimming nappies are a must, and make sure you only submerge him 3 times (tops) in a session until he's used to it. Make sure you're really positive about swimming, babies pick up on Mum/Dad's fears about these things. Try to pick a small group so that you get lots of the instructor's attention, and just enjoy it - I know as a teacher my favourite lessons are Mummy/Daddy/Grandma and me!

Hope this helps

Katyag

Also remembered we tended to go to a parent and toddler session, much quieter and no older kids running riot.

Justie

go for it just be very aware of how cold he is, pick a quiet time, don't stay in too long and make sure you're REALLY organised for getting dried and dressed etc

bumpybecky

apart from the tips above, I'd suggest you take at least two more towels than you think you'll need.... my dds were all been really good at weeing on the towel as soon as soon we got out :eek:

crashgoddess

we took our ds at 5 weeks to a waterbabies class,the water was quite warm as it was for under 2's only and we managed about 20 mins.health visitor told me you dont need to wait for any jabs

Bestthingsinlifearefree

Thanks guys for your thoughts:beer:

He has had his first round of jabs but I think he is going back for more soon (Mrs Best is managing this, so I am not totally up to date).

The suggestion about water nappies is a good one. It did not occur to me what he would wear while swimming :rolleyes:

We are not looking for swimming lesssons but more mums and babaies class where he can splash about safely and get used to the water, if that makes sence.

He likes his bath water realy warm so I get a feeling the coldish local swimmng pool water might be a shock for him !!:eek:

Best,