Swim lessons?

Danalana wrote: I have been thinking of enrolling Kade for swim lessons at the YMCA. I really want him to know how to swim, but I don't know how to teach an infant. I have always heard that they are so easy to teach when they're this young because they don't know to be afraid of the water. Did any of you put your babies in swim lessons?

stella6979 replied: I say the sooner you start them the better. We never did the actual lessons, but we both worked with her in our pool. She's not able to swim yet, but she can float and that's key in learning how to swim.

lisar replied: I dont know how they do it. Let me know when you find out.

LifesGood replied: yes, definitely let us know how this worked out if you do it.. It makes sense with the whole no fear of water idea, I would be wary of just throwing my kid into the water though! lol

Celestrina replied: It's a mommy-and-me class and it is a lot of fun.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Tanner and I always did them and he loved them. They don't teach them skills at this age, but it's a good introduction of the water for them. You will play water games and all that good stuff.

coasterqueen replied: I had fun doing the mommy-and-me swim classes with both my girls. I say have fun

DVFlyer replied: We did the mommy (*ahem* and Daddy) and me classes. I thought it was fun. Some days were better than others, but mostly because it was outside and cold. Find a place indoors if you can.

luvmykids replied: No, but I wish I had. They all went through horrible phases where we couldn't even be near a pool, or they'd beg to go to a pool but wouldn't get in Now, they're all like fish but the problem is they *think* they're better swimmers than they actually are. I think if I'd started them much younger we would have a few more years of swim lessons under our belts.

punkeemunkee'smom replied: Just be sure it is not a class in which they submerse the babies and let them find the way to the top of the water I know it sounds crazy but they do exist. I know you would never let it go futher than one class but I have a friend who enrolled her son only to have the instructor let go of him while holding him in the center of the pool...she could not get to him fast enough to prevent him from sinking at least momentarily...the instructor told her she was being wayyyy over protective that most babies will find their way back to the surface....YEAH it is also called dry drowning you flippin moron!

Calimama replied: We did a mommy and me swim class. It wasn't really TEACHING her how to swim though. I think when she's 3 she'll take actual swim lessons. We live really close to the beach and go there all the time. It would make me nervous that she doesn't know how to swim.

Our Lil' Family replied: I think it would be fun to take, definitely good during the hot Alabama summers! I did read somewhere recently that the AAPA doesn't recommend swimming "lessons" until a child is 4, that's when they are developmentally ready.

Hope it's fun!!

Calimama replied:
Oh good to know!! Thanks for mentioning that!

HuskerMom replied:
Wow! I'd want to hold the instructor underwater for doing that!

redchief replied: The important thing with the class is to help your child overcome her fear of water (if she has one). In any case you will have some great and fun bonding time. I think the earlier kids learn to swim the better. I've seen way too many tragedies.

Danalana replied: Thanks for the info everybody...I found out my YMCA doesn't have the Mommy and Me class anyway. They have some sort of infant survival class for infants, teaching them to roll if they were to fall into water. They don't do it for kade's age, and I probably wouldn't do it anyway. I'll just get into the water with him a lot and get him used to it, I guess. I just want him to know how to swim!

MommyToAshley replied: I heard around age 3 or 4 is good to start actual swimming lessons. I didn't do the Mommy and Me classes, they are mostly to get the child not to fear the water. But, until they can swim on their own, I actually think it is actually good to fear it a little. I have seen kids that had no fear of water but couldn't swim either.. and they are usually the ones falling in the pool.