What Age Did You Start Swimming Lessons

We take "Mommy and Me" swim lessons at the Jewish Community Center - you don't have to be a member to do the lessons there. M&M classes are for 6 months - 3 years and are about getting the child comfortable in the water, teaching the parent to handle them safely in the water, etc. We started them at 15 months.

The classes are usually pretty small so it can be tailored to the child's skill level and age. Right now, for example, there's my 25-month-old, a 22-month-old, and a 10-month-old in the class, so in one lesson we'll have the little one reaching out for toys in the water and the bigger ones jumping in off the side. I'd highly recommend it (and actually, there's a new session starting in a couple of weeks...).

I live in the Jamestown, NY 14701 area. And the Boys and Girls Club has mom/baby swimming. I can't remember what age they start. But I used to take Timmy my now four year old. He loved it!

I'm not sure I would start swimming lessons this young. I'm starting my 3yr old daughter on swimming lessons this spring. I think about 1-1.5yrs yrs old is old enough to start them.

Check out this site for things to do with baby: http://maine.babyzone.com/parentresources.asp?prid=46

Good luck...

We started little dippers at Westford Raquet and Fitness when she a year old. But they take them as eary as 3-6 months I believe.

She has an absolute blast!
C.

Are you sure you are referring to "swim lessons?" The reason I ask this is because my son is in swim class and he is 9 months old. It is by no means meant to teach him to swim, its more of a bonding class, and to soothe children and suppossedly helps with coordination and development in other areas as well. My son was actually referred to this by early intervention because he is a preemie, but there are many full term babies in the class there just for fun.

I know that the YMCA requires the child to be 6 months to join their swim lessons. I have been meaning to join for 3 months now, but I will finally be starting in November. My son has loved the water since his first bath in the hospital. It might be a good idea to ask if you could watch a class to see if it is something that you are ready to start with your son. I don't think that 6 months is too young.

I taught swimming lessons when I was in college. If things are still the same they do an Infant/Preschool class (IPAP) for 6mo-3ish and it's not what most people would consider actual lessons. It's mostly getting your child used to being the water. If you get your little one comfortable in the water it'll be easier for him to make the transition to "regular" lessons when he gets older. The youngest child I had for any of the actual lessons was about 2.5 and he was in the beginners class several times before he was ready to move on. Things may have changed since I was teaching though, it was a long time ago. Maybe check with the YMCA in your area?

Hi J.,

My 11 month old just started his swim lessons last month. I love it. He also is a member of My Gym (like Gymboree) in York Town Heights. He has been doing that since he was six months. He looks forward to both and I think it is worth the money. In many places they do offer swim lessons from 6 months and up.

I don't know where you live however the South Portland Community Center offers parent and baby swim lessons. Right now they are renovating the pool however come winter the swim lessons will be starting back up. good luck

i started at an older age with my girls, but i know the ymca has mommy and baby swimming lessons. also, why not try a mommy and me class or gymboree type? how about music together?

i actually started taking my daughter into the water at 8 weeks! we currently take "lessons" at the WCC and my daughter is 5 and 1/2 months old. she started at 4 months, because i am a swim instructor there--generally they don't take kids until they are 6 months.

i am a strong supporter of starting babies in the water as early as possible!! i have been an aquatics instructor and director for many years, and the older a child is when he or she first starts lessons, the harder it is for them! babies who are used to the water right from the start are USUALLY much more comfortable.

also, like many of the other responses, baby swim classes are more of a bonding time for parent and baby, not an actual lesson.