Problems in Swim Class

[BabyBrave]

Hi all,

we took our wee man swimming for the first time the Sunday before last. It was a WaterTots swimming class. He has always loved his bath - happy to splash, float on his back or front - so we were convinced he would love to go swimming. He was 7.5 months and a great weight etc.

After only a couple of minutes he started to cry. Not huge sobs or screams but just a steady "mum I don't like this" cry. I was devastated. I made it through the half hour of the class but we could take no part in the activities. I was so embarrassed as NO OTHER baby cried.

We missed the class yesterday as he had an upset tummy and I decided that if he threw up in the pool along with the crying it would finish me off!

I've bought him a baby warmer for next week as last time he was only in a swim nappy.

Could people PLEASE PLEASE give me encouraging stories that this will get better? It's taken him four weeks to like Baby Sensory but I think he's there now.

Encouragement / similar experiences please?????

 

[hivechild]

It usually takes at least a few times to get used to swimming if they've not been before. Between classes, try running a deep, cooler bath and hopping in there with him to 'practice.'

Ronan was very leery of it the first couple times, but now he gets so excited and can't get enough of swimming! He even doggy paddles in the water. It's very cute.

 

[kiwimama]

Keep perservering. A swimming pool is very different from a bath and people who haven't been in a pool will probably find it very unnerving the first couple of times. He'll come to love it over the next few months, I'm sure!

 

[merlotgirl]

It's very different for mums to hold LOs in a pool and if you have any tension at all he may be picking up on it.

I've been taking Abby since she was 8 weeks and she was the same.. Just concentrate on getting used to being in the water and the rest will come naturally- it took Abby (or should I say me!) about 3 sessions to really relax!

Do preservere though...Abby now loves it and was the biggest splasher today!!

 

[Bumpontherun]

I agree it can take them a few weeks to settle in. We go to water babies and a few of the babies there were grizzly initially. The wetsuit might help also maybe take him swimming yourself midweek to get extra practice. Does swimming clash with his nap time at all? This was a big prob for me, Helen has to be well rested to enjoy it.

 

[Gingerspice]

My LO wasn't keen on their swim classes for about 6 weeks. They love it now, which is good as we signed them up to the new term prior to them deciding they do like it.
I suspect it was because they were cold. Definitely try the warmer and see if that helps.
Also, just remember to keep smiling the whole time at them. It will give reassurance that it is all ok. If you know of something that usually makes them giggle/smile keep doing that if they get spooked/unnerved.
Don't worry about not partaking in the actvities. Twice we had to get LO out, but we just sat on the side with them so I still got to see what was taught for the next week, and so that they get used to the noisy/different environment.
We took LO swimming to our local pool on weeks they weren't good to build their (and mine) confidence with being in the water. I do think these 'in between' sessions helped get them used to the pool feeling

 

[KittyVentura]

Can I ask a slightly OT question?

Do you have to be able to swim yourself to take babies to these classes or is there no adult swimming involved? I can't swim and my MIL will be taking LO swimming in time but I'd rather I went with him myself first to get him used to the water etc xx

 

[BabyBrave]

Thanks for all the responses. I know my attitude can affect his - sadly on that day I was actually excited and in very good form. I kept smiling and even laughing at him and went through several toys to try and distract him. Luckily I'm a strong swimmer and love swimming so I was confident handling him in the water.

Toby is not very consistent in his naps but the class does clash a bit (though he could sleep in the car). Unfortunately, because the lesson is just over half an hour away it would be impossible to find a lesson time that didn't fall close to either a nap or feed time.

Fingers crossed this Sunday improves. My mum thinks I'm mad planning all these activities for him. She would have him pottering around home and out for walks for the first year. Sometimes I think she has a point. There seems to be pressure to do things with your baby, yet when we were little a walk in the pram was the highlight and we all turned out ok. LOL

 

[BabyBrave]

Can I ask a slightly OT question?

Do you have to be able to swim yourself to take babies to these classes or is there no adult swimming involved? I can't swim and my MIL will be taking LO swimming in time but I'd rather I went with him myself first to get him used to the water etc xx

I would say you could do it if you are confident in the water. You will be walking all the time but are expected to drop down to shoulder level so your baby can see you. I'm not sure if you'll need to dunk your head as an example.

Maybe use this as an opportunity to learn to swim yourself? I know I feel better knowing I can hold Toby up treading water, just in case I lost my footing. Why not look at lessons for you too and you can learn together?