6 month old baby swimming

jetcat

hi, just looking for some advice really. am taking baby swimming for first time next week, and have got a swimming baby seat. however, bought wrong size (for over 1 year!) and now that i have looked at it properly, she wont be able to get hands in water and splash - which she loves! so, my question, is baby arm bands ok or should i really getr another seat?

bumpybecky

I've never used a baby seat taking my daughters swimming. They've all swam from young age (4 months ish onwards, but not at regular classes).

I think it's more reasssuring for them if you hold them more closely. They'll be warmed with body contact with you, rather than plonked into a seat that's mostly out of the water.

When little I usually hold them on my hip, so they've got arms around me and they're good and close keep them facing you, then you can make sure their mouth is out of the water!

Remember too that they can get tired and cold very quickly. Take more towels than you think you need (she's absolutely bound to wee on one of them!) and take something for you both to eat/drink afterwards

Have fun

ChasingButterflies

Hi there,

Could you not take it back and swap it for the right size?

From experience if it isn't the right size little one can have issues sitting in it in the right position etc... although to be honest I would have arm bands as a back-up as just because you think the seat is a good idea - little one as much as they may love the water may not agree!!! (yes this is also from experience!)

Why not just go without the 1st time and see how they like being in the water with you supporting them? only practical if there is a "baby pool"

For a laugh I will share with you my 1st swimming experience...which is not from memory my mum told me about it!

Mum had been told that if you dropped your little one into the water by the time you count to 10 they would float to the surface by themselves and it was a good way for your little one to get used to being in the water... now either someone was seeing how gulliable my mum was or my mum missed part of the instruction. She "dropped" me in and counted to 10 - then dived in to bring me to the surface :rotfl: a cough and a splutter and I was fine! although it seems not a natural water baby!

Hoe you both have a great time

Kelinik

Mine loved the seats once they were a bit bigger but by then I found them a bit to strong and wiggly to hold once we were in as they would go loopy splashing and kicking lol! When they were really diddy though (DD1 swam from 6 weeks as HV said they don't actually need their jabs first) I just held them. Also you only really get about 15 mins in before they start to get cold, which was OK because our local pool used to do a special discount for Mums with bubs under a yr for that very reason, but otherwise might work out expensive.

Hope you both enjoy your swim.

jetcat

thanks guys. am looking forward to it on behalf of both daughters, but not really for myself, as being somewhat of a "largerlady" i am very self conciouss!!! if she is only in the water for a short while, then that suits me!!! am going with adult friend who can go on rides etc (it is a water park) with older daughter. will stick to armbands i think as i want to be able to hold her close! never know, may even manage a couple of gos without!!!

heather38

i borrowed a seat from the local pool to use when swimming with DD and she hated it. she leaned to one side in it and i couldn't get her to sit up in it. i have also borrowed arm bands and they were a nightmare to get on as she kept waving her arms about.
i don't use either now i just hold on to her. she likes being on her front but hates being on her back.

nats3006

Have you seen that advert with the babies on it makes me laugh everytime is so cute when they are all underwater!!

Bun

Lovely that you and dd are taking the plunge! IMHO, if you are holding her there is no need for aids at this age.I took dd from 11 weeks when he'd had his first set of jabs. We went to a baby/toddler swimming session witha bit of water squirting, singing etc. We didn't bother with arm bands because he was just too skinny and with them on his arms stuck out (like Maggie Simpson in her snowsuit) and he couldn't splash, swim, or, well, move really. The children at the one I went to in the seats have really been ones who I've heard have had bad experiences or are very nervous of water, and the mums wanted to break them in gently.

I would say though that it may be a good idea to sit her in the seat first and maybe end up in the water just before you get out, so she is still used to the water, but doesn't get cold.

Also, I really wouldn't worry about being a 'larger lady'. I am one myself and it does my confidence no end of good at the local pool as I am often one of the slimmest there! We do also run a 'most tattoo'd dad competition, which is amusing.

We use armbands now but ds is three and they are more in proportion now and don't hamper his movement.

inkie

Personally wouldn't bother with the seat - my DD1 went swimming from 4 months with arm bands - and within 2 weeks was swimming with them unsupported by me on her back across the pool (10m).