Infant Swim Self Rescue Class

I did it with my first child, I hated it! She was 15 months and we got a house with a pool and thought this would be best. We went twice, she swallowed so much water that by the end of the the second one she was vomitting and rushed to ER for dehydation! It was not fun!!!

Well, I'm not sure how long you mean when you say that it took you "forever" to teach your son how to swim, but it just takes time. There are some kids who pick it up quickly, but for the majority of kids it's going to take 3 or 4 sessions of swim lessions.

I did the mom and baby swim lessons with my oldest. He was an only child at the time. It was fun to do this together, but he didn't really learn anything. Started him in swim lessons again when he was 5. After 3 sessions he finally started to put it all together (and trust his teacher more) and can actually swim a little bit.

My youngest never had the mom and baby lessons. He started at age 3 and took lessons with big brother. Yeah, he really hasn't learned anything, but it beat the alternative of trying to entertain him while big brother was in the pool. We might just try this again next summer!

My long-winded point, is that it just takes time. I've nver heard of the classes you are looking into, but if they're anything like the discriptions the other ladies have given, they don't sound like swim lessons at all.

I would stick with the traditional swim lessons and just try to be a little more patient.

I have heard of these and I have seen clips from them. I have not, would I ever utilize the class. I get and agree with the premise of teaching kids water safety, how to swim, and a healthy respect for the water (both the fun and the danger of it). I can't imagine just "letting them go" and see if they swim.

My son has always loved the water and was never fearful of it. He started swimming early, independently around age 3 but played easily before that too. We always joked that he thinks he's part fish. He is now a lifeguard (and turning 21).

When my daughter was born, we already had a pool. We allowed her in all the time...in our arms, on a raft, in a ring, whatever. Once she slipped in (when we were out there with her but no one was swimming). We didn't freak out, we calmly reached in and pulled her out. She has always loved the water, played and swims freely. Each year since she was just a baby, she was getting better as the season went on. Basically swimming (not quite independently) at age 3.5., starting independently at 4.5, and started this season on her own. I strongly believe that if we lived in a warmer area I am sure she would have been doing it sooner. We joke she is part fish or mermaid.

My point is that neither had a swim lesson but both were taught to have fun and respect the water. I taught both to float on their backs. I have told both how if they were in trouble and couldn't swim/needed a break and/or no one was close, float on their backs so not drown. And most importantly to not swim alone or without an adult and to remain calm. I am not a strong swimmer but I didn't let that hold them back (and I do enjoy the water).

We have a pool in our backyard and we opted to do traditional swim classes for our toddler. We are doing year round, once a week lessons and we like the consistency and constant learning our son experiences. He has improved rapidly and loves his weekly lessons.

Regardless of the teaching philosophy I think all children benefit from organized swim lessons if the lessons are given by qualified instructors and are age appropriate. We took my stepdaughter to the local YMCA and I was not impressed (student to teacher ratio was too high; not enough instruction/too much play time; not enough consistency with the topics, etc.). We are now attending a swim school and it is vastly better there. The instructors actively engage the parents in how much and how quickly their child is progressing. The children are not pushed to progress but they are constantly being tested on their comfort level and skills in the water. All of the instructors are clearly knowledgeable, patient and child friendly. I can't say enough good things about this school and I was willing to school shop until I found that.

Babies and toddlers do swallow (deliberately or unintentionally) water during the classes. Some of the children are worse about it than others. The children are actually encouraged to spit the water out but not all of them grasp that concept. I have noticed all of the swim instructors are very cautious with the water swallowing, though, and will have you take your child out of the pool before things get out of hand. Only once in the several months we have been attending have I seen a baby throw up from ingesting water. The staff reaction was prompt and appropriate in my opinion (cleaned the pool, monitored the baby closely for several minutes afterwards, etc.). Also all parents were explained how to monitor water consumption by checking tummies before and after lessons. I argue a qualified instructor will have the situation under control regardless of the lesson type. Good luck whatever you decide.

If you're referring to Infant Swimming Resource, then yes, we have done it.
My MIL has a pool and started the lessons with my stepson and niece. They were 15 and 18 mos. They are not traditional swimming lessons at all- they are survival skills. They are designed to teach a child what to do if they fall in water- flip and float. They may swallow a little water, but I find it very hard to believe that a GOOD ISR intructor would allow a child to swallow so much that it would warrant a trip to the ER- that certainly has not been our experience.
The lessons are very intense- 6 weeks, every weekday morning for 15 minutes, one on one. Since my stepson, my three sons and my other three nieces and one nephew have gone through ISR. My now 3 month old daughter will more likely than not start them in the summer. All of the kids in the family that have gone through ISR are now strong swimmers and we wholeheartedly credit our instructor with that.
I highly recommend the program. This is the link to our instructor's page, my youngest son is the first boy in the video (he was 2 at the time)- http://www.isrcincinnati.com/cincinnati-area-instructors....
You can PM me if you have any questions and I would be happy to answer them.

ETA: Our instructor is an RN, so clearly, she doesn't see any health risks involved in this type of instruction. My mother (a PhD in nursing) also is very supportive of my kids getting these lessons.

No, and I never would.

My second child started swimming at the same time as his 21 months older sister. We just took them swimming every week. You don't need fancy classes, just get them in the water.

i would only do this type of thing if you have a pool at your home. google videos on this. if you have a pool in your yard i would highly recommend it.

We did ISR w/Both kiddos. It's great!
I started my oldest when he was 2 1/2yo. I think that was a perfect age to start him. I started my youngest at 18 mos & I think it was a waste of $$. He forgot everything when it was time for his refresher course. It was like starting over. I think right around 2yo, is the best time.
I'm friends w/our swim instructor (as a result of doing swim lessons), & she'd probably be upset w/me for saying that.

Im not sure what age they start but Ive heard its dangerous for a baby. Even if they hold their breath, they can swallow lots of water and become very sick from it. I would wait until 2-3 years old at least.