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Hi all,
We're thinking about taking our 2 month old down to the local (heated) childrens pool to introduce him to the water (he already loves his bath), but I'm wondering whether its too early for this? Does anyone else have any experience with doing something similar so early, and if so do you have any tips?
Thanks
we started going to toddler play at around 4 months, swimming lessons at around 7 months, check with the pool, they might not recommend so early! id probably wait a month or so!
No, I don't think 8 weeks is too early.
I've been taking DS swimming since he was 14 weeks (ie we started 3 weeks ago). It's run by the physio at the hospital. The mums take their bubs in the pool for 15 minutes of "Swimming" which is just us moving them through the water singing along to nursery rhymes. The babies LOVE it. Then after that is done, we get out, change them, feed them and us mums get back in for 45 minutes of aqua aerobics. It's great fun.
The babies can start from 6 weeks and it goes up to 6 months where they then move into proper baby swimming lessons. In our class I think the youngest bub is about 2.5 months. I think it really does get the bubs used to water before they are old enough to develop a fear of it.
I took DD from about 8-10 weeks, i would have gone earlier but i was worried about my c/s scar and i wasnt really up to it.
I asked my CMHN and she said it was fine from what ever age, but would be best if i left it until her first immunisations, not that they offer any form of protection, but usually it is the first time they feel unwell and sort of kick starts the immune system...
The local pool told me that swimming lessons couldnt start until 6mths as the eardrums are not yet sealed... this is complete and utter rubbish and dont let them tell you this :)
I say go when you feel ready
When we went i got out of the pool first and got changed and then DH walked out with MJ and i wrapped her in a towel and fed her next to the pool on the seats. She was sooooo hungry, easy if you are bf, but not sure how difficult this would be if you are ff as you would need to heat it.
After her feed she was buggered and as soon as she was changed she fell asleep.
MJ loved the water and i think that this was beacuse we showed no fear and clapped and laughed and smiled, she felt safe.
You bubba will let you know what he likes, MJ liked being on her tummy and beinga ble to see me at first.
Enjoy :)
We started swimming lessons with our son at 3 months. Some swimming schools take babies from 3 months and others seem to take them from 4 months. I really don't think it will hurt taking your bub swimming if the pool is heated and out of the sun. Have fun! Our bub loves the water and can safely exit and enter the pool on his own and he is only 14 months! Go for it. :D
DD#1 was 6 months.....i know our pool wont take children any earlier....
Annabelle started at 6months and wow what a little fish! I believe the earlier the better it's harldy going to harm them if anything it'll HELP them! I think its silly when people say "There's no point in putting young kids in lessons."
SIL told me her son at one got 'bored' please she was just lazy. Annabelle has benefited so much from it! Good luck!
Our boys both started lessons at 3 months. That is the earliest they start them for lessons, but babies of any age can go in there. I think it's great to start early - it makes it a natural thing for them and they don't develop a fear of water.
I'm so glad to hear that others have started swimming young- my LO absolutely adores the bath and I really want to get him into swimming.
But I did hear that because of the yucky bugs that can live in heated pool water, it was unwise to start them before 12 months when their immune system was more mature- has anyone else heard this?
And where are you guys doing your swimming lessons? Anyone know anywhere in Nth West Melb??
amberj i think it is 6 months that the MAC, and werribee swim centre start them.
I am starting Jacob as soon as I can as i am a huge believer in swimming lessons!
One of my mothers group sessions is at the mac so will find out and let u know
I did once read an article about increased ear infections and respiritory infections in children who started swimming under 12 motnhs. But i certainly don't remember where i read it or even if it was credible information!
But at the time it was enough for me to decide to put off lessons until DD was one. That combined with the fact it is freezing here in winter when she was 6-11 months. ;)
I took her in my mum and dad's pool at home when she was 8 weeks old though, just not public swimming pools.
She'll start lessons soon.
Paul Saddler Swimland in Essendon takes from 6 months.
We took DD to the pool from 3 months and then started lessons at 6 months. She loves the water and swimming.
My local pool advised it was ok for little bubs to go swimming in their heated pool. They just recommend to have something like a rash vest on them to help them keep warm.
As far as lessons go, a friend of mine who is a swim teacher says it is a waste of time to take them to lessons before 6 months. But if you just want to have a play, then I reckon go for it!
I cant see how it's a waste of time IMO its building up there water confidence and even if they're learning to be condident in water what a great gift you're giving them ;)
ange we go to kings and no one in my group has had any infections!! compared to friends who have gone to bigger pools in the area who have had constant problems!! i highly recommend them!!
hehe - i don't think it's waste of time, but I think its a waste of money! I reckon just take them swimming for plays and games in the water at such an early age and then pay for lessons later. Our swim school doesn't take them younger than 6 months. Even then you're still handing money over to play games and sing songs LOL.
I think it depends on the child. We started DS at 7 or 8 months, and he was so non-plussed by the whole thing LOL. It wasn't until a fair bit older that he really started participating and actually enjoying it. He never hated it, just didn't think anything of it really. LOL.
We've never had any illness from swimming. but my nephew & niece had never ending ear infections.. but that can be the individual child too, not necessarily from swimming.
We started taking Arden to the beach and pool when he was around four months old, he loved it! we used one of those blow up floating seats and had no troubles. Than when he turned one I started taking him to aqua babies and he loved that too. I also had one of those blow up pools for him to muck about in at home.
Yesterday I put our 6 month old bub in his bath seat in the blow up pool with Arden and he just loved it!!! both of them slept for ages after it too.
Aqua babies was worth every cent, when our bub in care turns one I will put him into aqua babies too.