I love the water…I love to swim, I love the pool and I love the ocean. I feel like I always have, so with summer approaching I knew that I had to do whatever I could to get our little man used to the water. Not only used to it, but get him to actually enjoy it! I know you can’t force these things on kids, but I figured if I started early then I had a good shot. That’s why I decided to sign us up for Mommy and me swim class!
In Long Island, if you tell anyone that you are taking a swim class the first thing a person will say is… Safe T Swim? It’s funny because I had never even heard of it till I started doing research, but obviously I was out of the loop because everyone else I spoke to had. They had 10 locations, so it was easy to find one close to my house. I wondered when to start the class because the local Y’s in the area doesn’t allow you to go till your child is six months old. Safe T Swim allows them from newborn on. I got the Ok from our pediatrician, so I signed us up for May. I wanted to start before we went to our pool and beach.
Rule number 1…double diaper your kid! Swim diaper, and then a rubber diaper on top. I took this rule very seriously because I DID NOT want to be that mom whose kid poops in the pool! (Oh please let me NEVER be that mom!) My parents drove up to Long Island so they could witness the special day, and they were on photo and video duty. I was so happy to have someone there to capture the first swim moments.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when we walked into the water. At 5 1/2 months it could go either way. We walked into the pool area and he was amazed at all the kids around. I started down the waters steps…got us into the water…and took a little dunk. Nothing phased him! He loved it! There was so much to see and experience and he was taking it all in. He did so great! We worked on kicking and floating…it was so cute. The most amazing thing to me was that he lasted the whole half hour. At other Mommy and Me classes he started to fuss after about 10-15 minutes, but not this one. This one he was occupied the whole half hour!
The whole experience was great, and I can’t wait for the next 5 weeks of classes. I think it will be the perfect way to introduce him to the water. Yay for Mommy and Me Swim!!
Super cute photo! Thanks for sharing, so happy you both had a great experience. I must check into the rubber diaper you mention…any recs on that? I don’t want to be THAT Mum either! We have our six month check up this week and I want to get the ok for swim lessons too. I have never been all that comfortable in water but want our baby to love it and be safe in and near it. Congrats on this next phase…bet your baby slept great after such a fun time in the pool ?
I bought them at Babies are us…they are cute and hopefully work! He did sleep great!! Over 2 hour nap that day! hahaha
Love the picture! So sweet.
How exciting Jen… he took right to the pool/ water.
You both look perfect.
xoxo
I like your this post. Swimming is good for moms and kids and you connected with other with other moms.
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