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Offline james mummy

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first time at the pool
« on: January 04, 2009, 20:59:15 pm »
i want to take my six month old swimming at the local pools for the first time this month and was wondering if there was any kind of tips or advice anyone has? also when should i start using water wings?!
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Offline sherip

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2009, 21:19:51 pm »
I'm not sure what kind of tips you are looking for exactly, but..
You can either buy the disposable swim diapers to use or there are the reusable washable ones, too, if you plan on going alot. If your local pool has one of those warm pools, try to stay in that with your babe. Its like a warm bath and will help her get used to the idea rather than bringing her into the 'cool' pool. Obviously, you want to hang onto your little one tightly the entire time as they are very slippery. I'm not sure about water wings, as I haven't used them with my son yet and he's 2 1/2. We did use one of those baby floaties where the baby's legs go through the holes and he/she sits and floats - if that makes sense?? I think those can be used as young as 6 months as long as the baby can hold herself up well. I don't think we bought it until my son was about 10 months or so. Lifejackets are very large for babies that young. The smallest size is 20-30 lbs.
I'm not sure if this is the type of information and tips you were looking for??
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Offline Joey'sMom

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2009, 21:26:56 pm »
I took Joey to Mommy and Me swimming when he was a baby.  The first time, he screamed bloody murder.  Don't be deterred!! :)  The next time, he was just quietly miserable, and the third time he did great!  I do agree that the warmer the pool, the better.  Basically, the shock is that Mommy is submerging them in something frighteningly unlike anything--and yikes!  *I* don't even like cold pools.  :P

I'm not expert, but I personally would hold off on the water wings.  I just held Joey the whole first time, and slowly got him used to swimming.  Together we worked on kicking and paddling (the instructor helpfully called it "scooping" the water).  Then, and this was a biggy, we had to help them get used to lying on their back, with their head resting on Mommy's shoulder.  This is very hard for them, it's like a little trust game or something.

The most important thing we did was teach them where the wall is, and how to grab it.  Joey was little, and at first I felt like rolling my eyes, but he DID remember each time we went back.  Not that I expect him to do a butterfly over to the wall in a moment of danger, but if it's possible, it's definitely a plus if they can grab on and wait for help. 

Also, sitting them on the side and then "jumping" in.  The surprise of going from out of the water to in it is a big deal. 

And then at the end, it was a huge deal to just let them play and have fun.  Seeing if they reach for a toy in the water, getting splashed by a squirty toy, etc.. And of course, SPLASHING!!! It's probably why Joey tolerated the class!

Hope this was helpful.
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Offline james mummy

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2009, 21:34:52 pm »
yep thats great thanks guys! if i put james under will he naturally hold his breath? and should i do that on the first visit or wait until he's used to the big pool?
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Offline Fiver

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2009, 21:56:18 pm »
At 6 months, as I recall, they're starting to lose that reflex.  It's not an impossible thing to do, but you might want to start with some sort of signal that he's going to get wet.  The classes I did with DS as a baby did a warm up exercise where we said "[baby's name], ready, go" and then we poured water over their head and down over their face.  This got LO used to taking a breath before their face got wet and we then used the same signal before putting the babies under water.

I can't remember now whether we did an underwater swim at the first session or not, but if we did, the instructor did it for us, swimming our LOs towards us for a really short distance.

HTH!
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Offline sherip

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2009, 22:29:49 pm »
When we took swim lessons, they teach you to count to 3 then blow in the baby's face before you slowly dunk them. The blowing causes an automatic reflex to hold their breath.
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Offline Joey'sMom

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2009, 00:20:34 am »
Just based on my own experience with Joey-Drama-Boy, I wouldn't put him under the first time.  I like the idea of gently letting water of his head...
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Offline james mummy

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2009, 07:55:12 am »
ok cool thanks guys much appreciated will let you know how it goes!
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Offline spanna

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2009, 08:07:06 am »
hey there,
We went to mums and bubs swimming too. we sang songs, nursey action rhymes etc, to get them used to the water and you used to the "holds". We've stopped that now but are starting  in feb at local pool for lessons, (baby tadpoles - v cute!)... they will teach us how to pop lo under water there....i like the idea of having an instructor for that the first time!

Also, when in the bath do you do things like drizzle water over your baby's head?..... i think how they react to the pool can sometimes rely an how much exposure they have already had. We take Eva in the shower, and we have a pool, so she has in her short life already had lots of water time!!!! I didn't learn to swim until I was 9yo and my DH's dad drowned in the ocean  :( so this is super important to us!

On the nappy front we use "huggies little swimmers" they come in lots of sizes, I'm sure you can get them in NZ....I read a tip on re-using them in "Practical Parenting" to save money, if they haven't done a poo, then wash them out and dry in the sun....works a treat and good on the wallet, especially since we are in/out of the pool everyday ATM

goodluck and most of all have fun!!! :D :D
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Offline james mummy

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2009, 08:16:39 am »
yeah i have james in the shower on really hot days (approx 5 days a week at the mo!) and he doesnt seem to mind the water going over his head and down his face at all and dad splashes with him in the bath and he likes that too!
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Offline spanna

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #10 on: January 05, 2009, 08:19:14 am »
cool! sounds like you'll have a good time! ;D
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Offline Katet

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Re: first time at the pool
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2009, 00:37:01 am »
Quote from: james mummy on January 04, 2009, 21:34:52 pm
yep thats great thanks guys! if i put james under will he naturally hold his breath? and should i do that on the first visit or wait until he's used to the big pool?

Definitely agree blow gently on their face before you put them under, it helps them close their mouth & also they learn what is about to happen.

I had both my boys doing swim lessons from 7mo... my 5yo can now swim at least 12m (haven't tried longer) & my 3.5yo about 5m. They love the pool & happily dive for rings etc. So I don't think it is too early! I certainly seem my boys having more fun than peers who don't have the skills.

If I was to have another I'd not to lessons so early, but sing songs as we did different things eg moving their hands along the wall so they can move to safety... skill that can from memory be mastered around 18mo.

Enjoy!

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