Off Topic Forums

Posted: September 10 2005 at 6:13am | IP Logged

Have any of you taken your LO's swimming yet?

Cerys is going into the pool for the first time next week and I'm so excited.  She has been to the pool a couple of times when my stepdaughter has been swimming with my DH but I thought I would wait until after the summer holidays before I took Cerys for her first swim.

I also thought I would share some info with you.  I am a qualified swimming teacher and whenever I have taught mother and baby classes the pools have always advised not to put the baby underwater.  Well I have done a bit of research and cannot find anything to suggest why this was but I have discovered an excellent swimming course for LO's.  You don't have to take them to classes you can order the DVD or the swimming cards outlining each lesson (the cards are waterproof so you can take them onto the poolside as well if you wish).  I have ordered both the DVD and the cards and def think it is worth it.  I will put the link at the bottom of this... although you may have heard of them already.

The reason I really like this course is because it seems very easy to follow but it is teaching your baby potential life saving skills.  Such as backfloating, turning underwater and holding onto the side.  The DVD finishes with a 15 month old baby being dropped into the pool from the side and she automatically turns under the water coming back up to the surface and holds onto the side.  I have to say that the number of times I have seen little toddlers running around the poolside for whatever reason it's so scarey when you think how easily they can fall in.  Sorry this is such a long message but I'm really sad and get very excited about little things like this LOL.

Right, I'll shut up now and here is the link if you want to have a look:

http://www.littledippers.co.uk/

Nicki

Posted: September 10 2005 at 3:38pm | IP Logged

Hi Nicki.

I take Ella swimming every monday with a group on mums I met at a post natal group. We've been going since her 1st set of jabs, and she loves it!!

About 2 weeks ago, me and a friend of mine decided we should dunk our babies, so they wouldn't be scared of the water... We did it, very quick - in and out - and it didn't bother them in the slightest!!!

I have one of those swim seats which Ella absolutely loves! She sits there kicking her legs like a loony!! When she's stopped kicking, she sits back and just looks like she needs a cocktail and she'd be away!!

I don't leave her in there too long, as she likes to be on her back in the water too.

One thing I have found to be invaluable is her swim/wetsuit. Its by a company called Slashabout (www.splashabout.net) and its called the baby wrap. If you go to the site and click on "warm in the water", its on there. It velcros round her and keeps her warm so she doesn't get upset.

Posted: September 10 2005 at 5:41pm | IP Logged

bronia went after her 1st jabs too,she loved it,the only prob i found was getting her out and getting the two of us dressed without her getting cold or bored etc...i found it easier to take dp and leav bron in the pool with him while i got dressed then go bk for her!

hope you have fun!

xxxx

Posted: September 10 2005 at 9:25pm | IP Logged

ive been a real scaredy cat bout going-not cos of lily but cos id need to wear a swimsuit in public!

i am also a tad bothered about getting her dry etc on my own-sad i know!

i did a swimming teacher course at college its run out now-but it was really good!

i should def get on with it befre lily starts school!! lol

anyone know where i can get a baywatch body?

Posted: September 10 2005 at 9:37pm | IP Logged

lol at jopsy!

I was supposed to be taking eddie with my mate and her lo but she chickened out and we never ended up going. Going to spain on monday and have use of a private pool so cant wait to get eddie in the water. He loves his bath so i'm sure he'll love it!

Posted: September 10 2005 at 9:39pm | IP Logged

I def believe swimming to be very important as well.

One thing I would recommend as well if any of you have older children (about 8 or 9 that can already swim) and you like to holiday near the beach etc is a Rookie Lifeguard class.  I used to teach it, and although it is a lot of fun for the children they def learn a lot.  Esp about the different types of danger surrounding different types of water.  I am trying to find a class for my Step daughter to go to as I'm not involved with the teaching at the moment and it's def something she'd have to do with a class so she could practice things.

Just thought I would mention it because it's not very well known unless your local pool advertises it well.

Posted: September 10 2005 at 9:44pm | IP Logged

nicki u r a real font of interesting info today

thank you

mazd do enjoy your hols!

Posted: September 10 2005 at 9:46pm | IP Logged

I must be having one of those days.... LOL.  I don't get them very often so I make the most of them.

Have a good holiday Madz.