Waterbabies time again - what do I do?

[MNORBURY]

Some of you may remember my previous waterbabies threads and how my lo is not a fan! The instructor said by the end of the first term Evie would be fine but she wasn't. She really doesn't like the underwater swims so we don't always do them, does that defeat the object of going? Anyhow term 2 starts again in a couple of weeks and I am in two minds whether to bother going. I've been taking her to a local pool every week and she loves it (we only braved one underwater swim though!) so I don't know whether to just jack in waterbabies and carry on taking her where she has fun instead of being upset OR take her back to waterbabies in the hope she gets used to it as it is really good from a safety point of view. The instructor seems to think she will learn to enjoy it but i'm not so sure. What do they do in term 2? Help me what to do please!

 

[New2Bumps]

I'm a huge waterbabies fan and Ethan has loved it since 8 weeks old. BUT. It really sounds like your little one just doesn't like it, especially if she loves swimming otherwise. Term 2 is much much more underwater focused. We do 3 a session for longer and often 2 one after the other. Ethan has just swam through a hoop and gone under after coming in off the side, and that was the end of term 2.

In your position, I'd take Ethan to normal swims or even normal baby and toddler swimming sessions. You can always try waterbabies at a later date.

 

[MNORBURY]

Well I rung to cancel and she talked me out of it , she said she didn't want me to stop then change my mind as someone will be waiting for that place, instead she has advised that I go to the first couple and see how she is and if things are no better they will look into refunding me, still dreading it though! x

 

[jaybee]

I think that is a good idea, to go and see how you get on. If they are happy to refund you if it all goes wrong then even better.

Evie, might be getting her discomfort from you too though, if you are feeling concerned she will pick up on it. So try and remain calm and try to enjoy it.
Maybe if you explain to the instructor that you are not sure, they will help you out a bit more. Maybe have the instructor take Evie for the first couple. (not sure if they do that, as we are only starting term 1 next week!)

Good Luck.
xx

 

[Claire788]

in my newsletter term 2 says:-

Intermediate 2:
Babies able to swim longer distances under water / Babies develop the ability to swim to the side/objects and secure themselves / Babies develop the ability to scramble and pull themselves out of the water / Parents develop confidence in making greater use of equipment / Babies develop jumping into the pool unaided.


my LO loves WB but I'm dreading the last one - apparently they sit on a float in the water (towards the end of the term however) then name ready go, then let go, and the LO's plop into the water themselves....!!

 

[Rach27]

We do water babies and a wee girl in our class is also not a fan of the underwater swims. She used to scream for the entire duration of the session. We decided to keep up the swimming during the holiday (including the swims) and - overnight it seems - has learnt to love it.

I would recommend giving it a little longer. Does she wear a wetsuit? My friend's baby was also getting cold so that solved a bit of the problem.

 

[Gingerspice]

Maybe the warmer pools they use really aren't for her?? If she's fine in 'normal' pools perhaps it is the temperature she finds annoying? What does she wear when swimming?

I'd maybe look into lessons at your local pool and just go there if she seems fine when in that pool. I know my local pool does lessons from 4 month olds, so I'm thinking of just going along to those after doing the first set of waterbabies (unless they really love waterbabies specifically)

 

[MNORBURY]

I think that is a good idea, to go and see how you get on. If they are happy to refund you if it all goes wrong then even better.

Evie, might be getting her discomfort from you too though, if you are feeling concerned she will pick up on it. So try and remain calm and try to enjoy it.
Maybe if you explain to the instructor that you are not sure, they will help you out a bit more. Maybe have the instructor take Evie for the first couple. (not sure if they do that, as we are only starting term 1 next week!)

Good Luck.
xx

Thankyou, hubby is going to go in the water with her first lesson as he's not a big softie like me so maybe that will be better but if she cries when she swims underwater I'll prob blame him for not doing it right lol. She won't go to anybody really, she's a real mummys girl, when the instructor has had her before she cries . Took her 6 months to get used to daddy and nanna and grandad holding her. I'll take her to two and see how she gets on, hope Tobias enjoys it, i'm sure he will x

 

[MNORBURY]

We do water babies and a wee girl in our class is also not a fan of the underwater swims. She used to scream for the entire duration of the session. We decided to keep up the swimming during the holiday (including the swims) and - overnight it seems - has learnt to love it.

I would recommend giving it a little longer. Does she wear a wetsuit? My friend's baby was also getting cold so that solved a bit of the problem.

She doesn't wear a wetsuit but it is boiling in the pool, she has a happy nappy costume, maybe it is too warm for her! x

 

[MNORBURY]

Maybe the warmer pools they use really aren't for her?? If she's fine in 'normal' pools perhaps it is the temperature she finds annoying? What does she wear when swimming?

I'd maybe look into lessons at your local pool and just go there if she seems fine when in that pool. I know my local pool does lessons from 4 month olds, so I'm thinking of just going along to those after doing the first set of waterbabies (unless they really love waterbabies specifically)

I think that might be part of the problem as even when she splashes loads or her face goes in the water at local pools she's fine, she can stay awake longer now without getting cranky so that might help a bit. Just going to give it a couple of lessons and if she's not happy I'm going to stop. Local lessons might be something to look into if it doesn't go well at waterbabies x

 

[Rach27]

One thing I tried (before WB started) was feeding LO in the bath. I know that may not directly help with the underwater swims but it does help them to associate being in water with comfort I think.