Even before Chase was born, Derek and I had talked extensively about getting him started with swim lessons. Specifically, I was interested in "Mommy and Me" classes, in which both Chase and I could embark upon his swimming adventures together. After all, in what other medium are you able to bond face-to-face and skin-to-skin with your baby, as well as share in the joy of learning together?
I did some research and found a program that sounds perfect! It's offered by our neighborhood YMCA and the start age is 3 months. A session just began last week, so the new session doesn't start until May 4th. By that time Chase will be 4 months, which I think will be even better than if he started in just a few weeks at 3 months. He'll be able to do so much more with his hands, his head control will be significantly better, and he'll be that much more vocal, alert and oriented. Anyway, classes are offered on a weekday afternoon or weekend morning. The new schedule won't become available until a few weeks, so I'm not sure of the exact day. According to the Aquatics Director, whom I spoke with on the phone, the primary objective is to get both the parent and baby comfortable in the water. Your infant will eventually become aware of the differences between moving through water and on dry land, while I will be learning to teach him safety in and around the water. This, of course, is a biggie for me!
We'll be enrolling Chase in the "Shrimp" section, which will:
- Introduce Baby and Parent to Water
- Promote Bonding in a Safe Environment
- Teach Basic Swim Techniques While Playing Fun Games
- Teach Basic Aquatic Safety
We considered joining the Y but decided that it's not worth becoming a member just yet since, with the monthly fee, the cost would be the same as paying as a non-member. I don't really see any benefit to a membership at this time, since there aren't any other classes I want to take there now (I was so wanting to take an adult African dance class, but they don't have that). Maybe in the future, when Chase is a bit older, we will invest in a membership, because this YMCA offers child karate and other fun activities he might enjoy.
We're both really excited! I just know that Chase will enjoy the pool since he loves the warm baths we give him, and seems fascinated by the water. It's funny… since we plan to begin in May, he will likely be swimming before he can even walk or crawl! How cute is that!!??
Have any of you had experience with a Parent/Child swim class? Did your baby enjoy it, and would you do it again with the next child? Did you just use swim diapers, or did you add swim trunks too? Did the pool require rubber pants as well? I would love to hear about your experience, please feel free to share!
Hi sweetie! I’ve had Layla in classes since January. It’s been really beneficial and she has improved so much since we started. She took to the water immediately and has rarely gotten flustered. It helps that our swim school is specifically for children’s lessons and keeps the water at 90 degrees. Her bouyancy is great and when she’s dunked she cans wim to the surface by herself. It was so funny when she first started because when I’d give her a bath she’d immerse herself in the tub until her shoulders were covered. She wanted to go back into the pool! LOL
As for attire, they only require swim diapers underneath their bathing suits, but I use a cloth swim diaper that doubles as a suit and has a matching top.
Denise is doing Mommy and Me classes with Layla! You should hit her up and ask her all about it… because they love it!
Yes you will love this!!!! I did it with Jariana when she was a baby, and I enjoyed it more than she did of course. A very special moment, that will stay with you forever!!!! I love how your mom had to bribe you, and even at the age of three you were very smart…aren’t Mickey D’s fries just the best, lol!!!
wow, that’s amazing!!! i’ve never even heard of such a thing! LOL @ bibi’s comments about you and nabu’s swim classes and bribery with french fries..hahaha. hopefully, derek can capture some video footage of you and lil chasey..i would LOVE to see that!
oh yeah…and why does he class have to be called the “shrimp” section? haha
Wow! I wish I could have experienced “mommy and me swim classes” with each of my four babies!! What a fantastic idea
Of course, i did have you guys begin swim lessons as early as age 3–though I had to bribe Chase’s mom — [that's you mommy Yakini]– with McDonald’s french fries to merely get you to enter the water for your swim lesson…lol; you were one little cute site standing there with puckered lips, teary eyes, and goose bumps while shivering with your little arms wrapped around your waist as you stood on the pool side deciding whether to jump in and eat french fries on the drive home or continue freezing on the side and watch your sister eat her french fries on the way home. Of course, your little greedy taste buds always led you to the water in the end 
Starting baby Chase early is surely a good thing 
Hmmm., time to get his cuz Garvey into the water, too 
i cant imagine him actually being able to swim before he can walk or crawl since his arms and shoulders would need a particular amount of strength in order to perform the crawl stroke!!! mercy!! hopefully we can afford to get garvey into some swimming lessons by the time he is 3. i’m sure he will love it since he, too, loves bathtime, and has recently taken to dunking his head underwater and flapping his arms wildly, while proclaiming proudly that he is “swimming.” not being afraid of putting ure head under water is a big step, i believe.