Holly writes:
"I have a request for information that is pretty reflective of first-time-mom syndrome (we still have time to over-think things!)
My 9 mo boy and I are going to start "Pee Wee" swim classes next week. I am wondering what to expect, and if you or your readers have any recommendations from their experiences? What swim diapers? Feeding and napping timing advice? I breast-feed, do I really need to worry about leaking? Should I get a pair of LilyPadz or is that overkill? Maybe just funny story or two to share.
More Info: The class is 30 minutes long, twice a week, at 4 p.m. (normally wakes from nap around 3 or 4) in a covered pool (It is fully enclosed in the winter and they take the sides off during the summer. So I'm hoping it is warmer in the afternoon, but since it is covered we don't have to be as concerned about sun care.) It is taught by Red Cross certified instructors and offers to "help parents feel comfortable in the water with their baby." So its not one of those "teach your baby to swim" classes. I'm hoping for a little exercise, socialization, and another fun way to play with our P."
Am I the only one who thinks it's hilarious that baby swim classes are called "Pee Wee" classes? Redundant, yet accurate. Ah, the scatalogical 4-year-old humor that is starting to take over my life.
The swim classes sound like fun. And having a covered pool is going to take away the suncreen factor, which is more of a pain than you'd think it would be. 30 minutes is probably going to be just about enough time in the water, although the changing into your suits and back into your clothes will probably take at least that long!
Swim diapers need to be tight enough (but not pinchy tight) around the legs to keep urine or poop inside them in the pool, since they don't really absorb anything. You can go with disposible swim diapers, which are basically the shell of a disposible diaper without any absorbant layer. Or you can go with washable swim diapers, which are just waterproof cloth diaper covers with no cloth layer to absorb anything. The benefit of using washable ones (besides the fact that you don't have to keep buying more) is that they're often the inside layer of a cute set of swim trunks. The benefit of using disposible ones (besides the fact that you don't have to wash them) is that you can put a cute set of trunks over them.
Make sure you rinse the pool water off him well after the class, since chlorine can irritate baby skin.
I think a late afternoon lesson sounds lovely. He'll be happy after his nap, and it'll help give that "How long until dinner and bed?" stretch of the day some shape. You don't have to wait a full half hour after feeding him to swim (he's not going to be going for distance or doing any cardio), but if you feed him before you leave the house you'll probably have less chance of having anything come back up in the pool.
If you're a leaker regularly, you may want to get some Lilypadz anyway and then wear them in the pool. If you're not really a leaker, I wouldn't worry about it. (Unless your suit isn't lined and you want to prevent nipple showthrough.)
I have no funny swim class stories, because swim class was usually my husband's thing. But someone's got to have an anecdote or some advice to share about swimming with babies. Anyone?
from my experience, these classes are more like a playgroup in the water. i loved going when my son was that age and we're going to sign up again soon. it's a really fun activity to do with your baby and mixes up the day a bit. it also tires them out, so he'll probably sleep nicely afterwards.
the only thing i would mention is to have a strategy for getting showered & dressed afterward. since my son was an expert crawler at that time, i'd find myself running around after him half naked in the locker room. not fun (for me, anyway). wear clothes that are easy to get back into, bring an outfit for him that isn't a struggle to put on, and bring something to distract him while you make the quick change. have it set up in your locker so that you don't have to go digging for underwear. sounds like i'm making a big deal over nothing, but when you're dripping wet and barely clothed, chasing around a naked baby, you'll wish you had a quicker escape plan. ahem, speaking from experience.
have fun!
Posted by: jacks | June 30, 2006 at 07:34 AM
My 8 month old son and I just started taking swim classes at the YMCA. They call them Parent/Tot classes (or something like that), but I call them mommy and me classes just because.
This is all I know from what I've experienced in my three trips to the pool with my son:
Babies love the water as long as you ease them into it. A lot of the babies were terrified and clingy the first time, but at the second class they were laughing and splashing up a storm. Also, almost all of the babies didn't feel comfortable laying on their backs in the water, so proceed with caution in that area.
At our class, they tried to get the babies to blow bubbles underwater. I don't know the difference between an 8 month old and a 9 month old, but I wouldn't recommend putting your son's face underwater just yet. I was afraid to do it the first week, then when I tried again, my fears were confirmed when he started drinking the water and choking. We're going to wait until next year for the bubble blowing.
The last thing I can tell you, I had to learn the hard way: if you're allowed in the pool before the class starts, don't play with your son an entire 30 mintutes before class starts. He will be pooped before the class is over and not in the mood to play in the water.
I hope your little guy loves the water and you two have lots of fun!
Posted by: jomama | June 30, 2006 at 10:27 AM
Apple and I took similar swim classes when she was 6 months old. It was so fun. And she loved it. It was also a good way to meet some other moms with babies of a similar age.
Have fun with it. I never did it with kids 2, 3, and 4 because it was hard to figure out what to do with the older sibling during the baby swim class.
Posted by: Lisa V | June 30, 2006 at 10:47 AM
About the swim diapers. I always used cloth diapers but I prefer disposable swim diapers because unless you have a spare swim time is over if baby poops. I have had to go home because I hadnt thought to have an extra swim diaper for each baby. But having a couple of swim diapers in the diaper bag solves that problem. (this is also why the bathing suits that have built in swim diapers are disadvangated. if baby poops you lose the suit too)
As for leaking, dont buy lilypads (although I am not really sure what they are,Ill have to look it up) just dunk shoulder high when you get into the water. Your top will already be wet so it wont matter if you leak or not, and you probably wont because the water is usually cool enough to not encourage letdown.
Another tip, bring a big towel or robe or coverup and drive home in your swimsuit. Why deal with the hassle of having the baby in the dressing room with you, when your own home and shower is probably 10 minutes away?
Relax and have fun, it sounds great!
Posted by: joline | June 30, 2006 at 12:28 PM
My 5 month old son and I just started swim classes a couple of weeks ago. I bought a cloth swim diaper (couldn't resist - it was so cute!) and then put a disposable under it so I wouldn't have to worry about washing it. For myself I just wore a regular suit and didn't worry about leaking (but I don't leak much anyway except at night). I have gotten spat up on in the water a couple times of each week! I feed him right before I drive over to the lesson (which is at 7pm, unfortunately close to bedtime) - but he's a spit up risk at almost any time, and at least in the pool it's easy to rinse it right off. Changing him and myself after is a pain - he doesn't sit up on his own quite yet, and there was no place to put him while I changed so last time I just set him on my towel on the floor, which worked okay. I like the suggestion to just put on a cover up and drive home in my suit - I think I'll do that next time.
Our class goes up to 2 years old, I think, and the way it is structured is this: All the baby/parent pairs get in a big cirlce in the water, and spend most of the class moving around in a circle, singing songs and what not. They have us practice moves like back floating, front floating and kicking, which with a 5 month old really just means holding him in that position and letting him get used to how it feels. My little guy doesn't seem to mind the being on his back or his front, though it hasn't occurred to him yet that kicking his feet might be fun (I just move his legs for him). Most of the kids in the class seem to do enjoy it, and I haven't noticed a lot of crying.
Our class is 30 minutes, which is just the right amount of time so that my son is ready to stop when it's over. I am really enjoying the classes, though I will say there doesn't seem to be much opportunity to socialize or meet anyone (though maybe there would be if I didn't always arrive about 30 seconds before class started!) I definitely plan to sign up for more of these, as I just like the idea of getting him used to being in the pool by the time he starts real lessons.
(wow this got long - hope it's useful to somebody!)
Posted by: Katy | June 30, 2006 at 01:24 PM
My son is 8 1/2 months and we take baby "swim" classes. It's just singing and bobbing and swishing around in the pool. It's the one place I don't worry about leaking - just get in the pool fast. I agree with the commented that said just drive home in your wet suit (under a tshirt and sweat pants) if you can. I tried changing into dry things once and logistically it was not worth it.
Posted by: beaver girl | June 30, 2006 at 02:20 PM
We took baby swimming classes from the time my daughter was about 4 months to when she was about 18 months. Then scheduling got complex. It was GREAT! I really really recommend having something for him to eat when you get out of the pool – like in the locker room. It could be crackers, banana, breast milk, whatever he's used to eating. All that time in the water and the extra stimulation make babies (and moms, actually) really hungry.
I brought a large baby blanket to lay on the floor and change her on, and that worked fine for us. Everyone else will be in the same situation, so you won't be the only one rushing to get yourself dressed before your baby crawls off the mat. Lots of people at our pool brought strollers into the locker room and put the kids in there while Mom was changing into dry clothes.
Have fun!
Posted by: Maria | June 30, 2006 at 11:57 PM
Swim class for babies is just a way to get them used to being in the water. Usually there are toys for them to splash in the water. At some point in the class the teachers are going to encourage you to put your child underwater. If you know that this will scare the crap out of your child, then don't do it.You don't want to get them scared of the h2o Also I learned to take the stroller in with me. It's a great place to put your baby when you need to change, esp. if your kid can't sit up yet.
Posted by: Nikki | July 05, 2006 at 01:15 PM
I teach the red cross parent/tot class at our pool. About bubble blowing...8 months old is too young to get the idea. I have used ping pong balls to try to get a baby to blow around, but they tend to want to pick it up. Don't do anything you are not comfortable with and don't be shy to express that to the instructor. Have fun with it, I do!
Posted by: Carol | October 19, 2006 at 10:26 PM
Some of what you wrote (June 2006) as you may know by now, was exactly correct regarding the swim class ... simply put for others though find a sensible aquatic program for your child...NOT the big push '_ _ resource' program arggh.
The Red Cross (frequently used in park & rec programs) or Y's (though NOT the Florida Y's 'false start' program) along with programs listed on the websites for World Aquatic Babies & Children and United States Swim School Association.
Posted by: swimteacher | May 20, 2007 at 07:31 AM
Don't do anything you are not comfortable with and don't be shy to express that to the instructor
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