They say babies are born to swim, and I know mine certainly was. In fact, the first time I clapped eyes onΒ Little BΒ he was underwater, as I pulled him to the surface of the birthing pool he was born in.
Heβs loved water ever since, so baby swimming lessons seemed like a natural class for us to do.
He wasΒ just 11 weeks old when we tried our first Puddle Ducks swimming class, andΒ now heβs approaching two he lovesΒ them just as much as he did then.
So is it worth giving baby swimming lessons a go? Here are 10 reasons why I think you should:
10 reasons to try baby swimming lessons
1. Baby swimming lessons are the perfect time to bond with your baby. At Puddle Ducks there are no arm bands or rubber rings β just you and your baby in the water, which isΒ the perfectΒ opportunity to switch off from other distractions, make eye contact and enjoy skin-to-skin time.
2. Swimming lessons are great exercise β for you and your baby. Without arm bands or rubber rings your baby is free to kick and splash to their heartβs content, and by holding them and moving around the pool youβre getting a gentle workout too.
3. They teach self-rescue. As well as being a fun and sensory activity for your baby thereβs a serious side too: the movements and cues youΒ learn are designed to teach your babyΒ to hold their breath underwater and turn and reach for the side of the pool. At Puddle Ducks babies are submerged in the water from their very first lesson, so they soon learn not to panic if underwater and how to come back to the surface. But donβt worry β you donβt have to take part inΒ this bitΒ if you donβt want to. (Excuse my serious face in this one!)
4. Swimming lessons help build your babyβs confidence. By being in the water unaided your baby will build water confidence which will set them up for life.
5. Itβs an opportunity to meet other parents. At Puddle Ducks babies are grouped by age, so youβll meet other parents from your area with babies the same age as yours.
6. Baby swimming lessons are often in luxury pools. Forget shivering at the side of your local swimming pool β baby swimming lessons often take place in pools where the water is a certain temperature (at Puddle Ducks the water temperature is always over 30 degrees) which means they tend to be in hotels or hydrotherapy centres. We go to the Hilton Hotel in Brighton, which has just been refurbished and is absolutely gorgeous.
7. Swimming lessons can make bath time fun. If your little one doesnβt enjoy bath time, try baby swimming lessons to show them what fun the water can be. You can then transfer some of the activities you learnΒ in swimming lessons – like playing with balls and reaching forΒ toys –Β to bath time at home.
8. You get the chance to have an underwater photo. You know the one, just like the Nirvana baby. At Puddle Ducks you can book a session with an underwater photographer β assuming your baby likes being submerged β and the results are amazing. Hereβs Little B at just under five months old and this is one of my favourite photos as it sums up everything about his first six months, right from the moment he was born.
9. Youβre guaranteed some me-time afterwards. Unsurprisingly a half an hour swimming lesson will tire your little one out, and Little B always sleeps like a log afterwards. Which is the perfect timeΒ to make a beeline for a coffee shop and have a sit down.
10. Swimming lessons are great fun β both for you and for baby. Little B smiles, squeals and shrieks all the way through his lessons –Β and I canβt help smiling too.
Reader offer!
Puddle Ducks West Kent & East Sussex is offering Crummy Mummy readers 10% off the price of swimming lessons at the Hilton Hotel in Brighton for the autumn term. The offer is valid until Christmas 2016 β just quote βCrummy Mummy Hiltonβ when booking. The offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offer, and is only valid for the autumn 2016 term.
We have been given a half-term of Puddle Ducks swimming lessons in exchange for this post. As always all opinions are my own and based on my own honest experience.
Linking up withβ¦
Lovely post and amazing photo! I’ve just booked a trial baby swimming session at my gym pool so looking forward to seeing how my little one gets on.
Aww your photos are amazing! I started swimming lessons with my eldest as soon as she was born but I had a really bad experience with the company I went with and it completely put me off so we stopped, and I have barely take my youngest at all. I regret this as I think it is so important that they gain water confidence! I need to get them both going again. This seems like a nice company to go with though. I do have an underwater photo from our time at swimming lessons though and it is one of my favourites!#picknmix
Both my daughters love swimming and we’ve taken them from being tiny babies. We’ve never done actual lessons with them, though. Your 3rd point, though, about learning self-rescue is a very important point, I think. I certainly wasn’t brave enough to try that on my own (and I’d probably be chucked out of the public pool!) so that would be a good reason to go for proper lessons. And, as you say, it’s great way to get them to sleep! haha. #TheList
I used to love taking the kids swimming when they were babies but I’ve gotten out of the habit these days, must try harder! x #picknmix
I agree with every word. We took Mini R to another version of Puddle Ducks when he was ten weeks old. We did one term then stopped as the 4pm time wasn’t ideal however it was so beneficial and he loves swimming and water. In fact, I’m taking him swimming in the morning! I’d like to look into lessons now he’s 2. #KCACOLS
We started swimming with our son when he was around 6 months old. Such a good idea to get them used to the water early on. I grew up a swimmer and hope that my son will grow up enjoying the water as well. #KCACOLS
I bought Snappy swimming nappies before he was even born. I learn to swim at three through my fathers rigorous method of throwing me in the pool! #kcacols
I did baby swim with my two oldest girls and it really was such a great bonding experience. Both were proficient swimmers at age five and my oldest is actually a competative swimmer at age nine.
I would have loved to do it with the twins but it would take two adults…which I dont ever have AND someone to watch the older two- and the swim school here is about as expensive as my car payment for two kids.
So we will have to do it the old school way with the last two.
#KCACOLS
We swim with Puddle Ducks too! Piglet loves it, and so do I. #KCACOLS
I did swim lessons with my eldest when she was a baby. Unfortunately after she turned 9 months she hated it and it really put me off trying again. The hours peace I used to get afterwards was blissful. There is nothing quite like a post swimming nap.
#KCACOLS
Such beautiful photos! I’ve always wanted to do this but I’ve just never had the money when they have been small. It’s quite expensive. :/ My daughter and my oldest did go to swim school though over the holidays which they absolutely loved. π
#kcacols
This sounds great! I know my boys both love the water, swimming lessons are something we’ve been meaning to set up for ages! #twinklytuesday
I especially love that my kids are now old enough to have lessons alone; I can actually sit back and relax; warm and dry. So important, especially here in Australia. #TwinklyTuesday
I’ve been meaning to bring my 6 month old swimming for months and still not hot round to it. I think the swimming gear I bought him will actually be too small at this stage. It sounds so good I’m your post and v he loves his baths so much. Can’t wait to get him in the pool #KCACOLS
Love that photo!! I never did swim.lessons with Leo but I really want to do them when this little one arrives. They look so fun and how amazing they can help such small children learn water survival skills.xx #TwinklyTuesday
Swimming is such an important life skill and learning early is the best way. Great offer
It’s amazing how exhausting swimming can be! I have wanted to get lessons for my 14 month old but haven’t got round to it yet, will definitely look them up at our local club this week. She adores the water and is fearless. Glad you had fun xx
Aww! Gorgeous photos…
I really wish I had taken my girls swimming when they were little. It looks like so much fun x
We never did this and I sometimes wish we did!! Going to look into it for my second I think when my oldest is in nursery. Lovely shots of you both and fab pool!! xx #twinklytuesdayh
Love your ‘Sparked Out’ Instagram – so cute, as swimming does take it out of the little ones!
I’m a big fan of swimming lessons and wish I had started them sooner with my Little Ones. From what I’ve seen, Puddle Ducks keep the classes small(ish) and offer quality lessons, which sort-of (??) balances out the cost.
Either way, I think swimming lessons are important.
Hope you’re having fun!
xx
#TriedTested
That underwater photo is just fab! I really need to take my youngest swimming more as she loves it when we go! x #KCACOLS
Swimming lessons are so important at any age. It is a life saving skill. The sooner you get them started the better. #KCACOLS
Sounds like you have a great time at swimming lessons! We tried swimming lessons with our first. It was a NIGHTMARE! She hated it and screamed the place down! Even now she still isn’t keen on water. I think we ought to try the youngest though as she seems to like water. But it’s so expensive! #KCACOLS
Love your photos here π I wish I had done baby swimming classes with my two, although they can both swim now it just looks like a lot of cute fun! Thanks for linking up to #Picknmix lovely
Stevie x
This looks great. Lovely photos too. I wish I had done baby swimming lessons with mine too. Now need to invest in proper swimming lessons for them! #twinklytuesday