Baby & Me Swim Class Not Worth It

on September 10, 2010 at 7:15 PM

Baby Swim Diaper I don't have a pool. I rarely even get to go swimming, but when my local recreation department offered a baby and me swimming class, I signed us up.

It would be worth it, right? A fun way to get out of the house? A chance to introduce baby Rowan to the water. I was excited!

I called up my sister, who has older kids, and told her that I signed up for the class. She paused for a second and then said: "I remember that class. That's what you do with your first child."

What? Suddenly I found myself wondering if my baby and me swim class was going to be a bust.

I didn't really expect this baby swim class to teach my baby how to swim -- not in one lesson anyway -- but here is a comparison of what I wanted from the experience and what I got:

I wanted a well-organized class with a competent instructor who could clearly demonstrate what they're asking parents to do. I wasn't sure if there was a proper technique for holding a slippery baby in the water, and I was hoping they would have some tips for if Rowan started to freak out or tried to claw his way out of the water.

I got a high school student who clearly wanted to be doing something else and a whole lot of singing of songs while the parents held the babies in the water and turned around in circles. Lame.

I was hoping for a relatively warm pool, I would have settled for something in the not-freezing-cold variety. Can you guess which one I got? I'm lucky we escaped without frostbite.

Needless to say, I don't think I would sign up for a class through that department again. I think there are plenty of other opportunities to socialize with a baby that do not involve getting into swimwear. If I did want to try swim class again, I would definitely talk to other parents first and find a class that was more of what I was looking for.

Have you tried a baby swim class? Did you love it or hate it? What are the best classes for socializing with your baby?

Image via galateadia/Flickr

Filed Under: baby activities, baby development, baby first year, play

Comments (16)

RubyTooz

on Sep 10, 2010 at 7:20 PM

My favorite class was the mama and baby class offered at the Library. At our library they are free. It's a great way for the baby to interact with you, and sing songs and play wink mini . Also, I loved meeting the other moms there. I met some great ladies who were a great support for me.

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sstepph

on Sep 10, 2010 at 7:43 PM

We went to a Water Babies class when he was 15 months old., it was alright. He didnt want to do what the instructor wanted him to do for the 1st 2 classes, then he did the 3rd & 4th class, and refused the last 2. Lol.

Nonmember comment from laurs

on Sep 10, 2010 at 7:54 PM

Ever since my son was about 6 months old we've done a four week Baby Swim class session every couple of months (he's 18 months now). My son about 25% of the time catches on to what the teacher wants him to. But we sing songs, make friends, and he's learned a few things along the way--including the proper way for a baby to wear a life preserver. It's definitely been worth it, he has been always happy to be there and is pretty confident in the water. Yeah, our pool gets cold too. We always wear long sleeve rash guards, even in the summer. Biggest complaint--nearly every session of swim lessons he comes down with an ear infection. It's hard to get baby ears dried out properly (or at least his!)

squish

on Sep 11, 2010 at 3:01 AM

My mom really wanted me to do a baby and me class when she taught one, but I just felt that it wasn't worth it. My mom is a GREAT teacher, don't misunderstand. It's just that babies that small don't care. They don't understand. Plus you have to get wet, and then change your baby first while you are getting all cold, LOL.

Here's what my mom told me to do:

During bath time (or any other water play time), DO NOT sheild your baby from water in the face. Once your baby can sit up in the bath, it is time to start dumping the water on with some sort of cue, like "hold your breath!" then the water on the head. When they get older and are comfortable with water on their face and mouth, then you can start randomly pouring water on their head. This helps them to learn that everytime water is on their head, face, or mouth that they are to hold their breath. It actually creates a life-long reaction, and is the most basic start to swimming. And that is about it for babies.

Oh, and she is actually looking into becoming an Infant Swimming Resource Instructor. If you haven't seen that, check it out!! It is so worth the price!!

hoticedcoffee

on Sep 11, 2010 at 7:58 AM

I didn't do a baby and me class, but I did have the opportunity to sit on the shore and chuckle at the handful of annoyed, wet, bored new moms who got seduced by idea, while my older child had his swim class. I think, in general, if you go through the town rec department, you're probably not going to get a quality program - those are always run by teens. My friend took her son to a program at the Y, and it sounded great.

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KTMOM

on Sep 11, 2010 at 5:59 PM

I never did a swim class when my son was a baby or toddler and sorely regret it. He is ten now and still not comfortable in the water. :(

Ashlynnsmommy07

on Sep 11, 2010 at 6:43 PM

I took my daughter right before she turned 3. She liked it, and it was an indoor pool heated to 80 degrees. Felt nice in February! She didn't learn much, but she had fun and that's what I wanted.

ethans_momma06

on Sep 12, 2010 at 9:11 PM

I never did, but wanted to with my first... we will have to see if it happens this time around.

Blueliner

on Sep 13, 2010 at 2:49 AM

We did one at the YMCA when DD was like 8 months, it was pretty fun and cheap (I think we only paid 30 or 40 for 6 weeks), I've been meaning to sign up for another, she's 2 now lol.